Supporting Local Economies: State Board Retreat Puts Strategic Priorities, Community Impact in Focus

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Last week, the State Board of Community Colleges met for their annual planning retreat and board meeting, hosted by Haywood Community College in the mountains of Western North Carolina. During the retreat, the Board explored the System’s path forward while also learning how Haywood played a pivotal role in rebuilding the local community after the closure of the Canton Paper Mill in spring 2023. 

The retreat began with a deep dive into the strategic direction of the North Carolina Community College System, including four key priorities:

• Modernization of Technology: This includes developing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, increasing broadband access for 45 rural colleges, providing scalable cloud-based solutions for learning management system backup, employing SaaS solutions for college and career readiness, enhancing cybersecurity, and transitioning core technologies to a new system in 2025. 
• Statewide Awareness and Engagement: Efforts involve deploying a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, developing new System-wide sub-brands, contracting with a marketing firm, and using workforce development data for targeted marketing. 
• Labor Market-Driven Offerings: Colleges will gain access to labor market insights, data tools, and individual student wage records to inform program offerings and support workforce development. 
• Scalable Funding Sources: Discussed legislative priorities and the impact of the new Propel NC business model. It was also reported that the NC Community Colleges Foundation hired CCS, a philanthropic organization, to aid in fundraising. The System also hired a Director of Grants to pursue federal opportunities. Additionally, efforts will focus on providing resources to support rural colleges.  

Each of these priorities aims to ensure the System remains agile and responsive to the evolving needs of students, industries, and communities.

The focus of the retreat then shifted to the local impact of Haywood Community College, highlighting how the institution played a crucial role in helping the region recover after the closure of the Canton Paper Mill in spring 2023.

The mill’s closure devastated the region, displacing hundreds of workers and leaving a gap in the local economy. But the College acted swiftly. They partnered with local, regional, state, and federal organizations to provide resources for residents transitioning into new careers and ultimately helping to rebuild the community’s foundation, all under the leadership of the College’s president, Dr. Shelley White.  

“The State Board’s retreat at Haywood Community College not only reaffirmed our commitment to shaping the future of North Carolina’s community colleges, but also highlighted the critical role these institutions play in rebuilding and revitalizing local communities in times of hardship,” said System President, Dr. Jeff Cox. “The resilience shown by Haywood in response to the closure of the Canton Paper Mill is a powerful reminder that community colleges are not just places of learning — they are lifelines that support both people and economies through transformation and growth.”  

Dr. Grant Campbell, Vice Chair of the Board, addressed White and her team during the board meeting.

“I grew up in a town that was centered around a textile mill, and I also had the unfortunate opportunity to see what happens when a mill like that closes. I saw a community whose foundation was ripped away and there was really no one there to pick up the pieces,” Campbell said. “I’ve spent most of my career in healthcare and I can tell you the most contagious illness is despair, hopelessness. I hope you all understand that you didn’t just step up and help your community, you led a resurrection.” 

The Board retreat served as a reminder of the crucial role community colleges play in workforce development and economic recovery during times of crisis.  

Other Business 

• The Board approved a 13-month Managed Services Contract not to exceed $4 million for full-time resources to assist the ERP modernization team with the current state and future state of ERP.
• The Board approved increasing the cap on Student Activity Fees from $35 to $50 per academic term. This is not a required increase. This is simply increasing the maximum amount that colleges can charge for this fee. 
• The Board approved a request for up to $20,000 to provide colleges with support to comply with the change in accreditation requirements of House Bill 8/SL 2023-132. The funds will be used to send key college representatives to professional development opportunities to assist with their process to seek accreditation from agencies other than SACSCOC. This allocation will come from the State Board Reserve Fund. 
• The Board approved a $110,000 request to support the Advance NC consortium with the development of micro-credentials that meet critical workforce needs in the advanced manufacturing sector in central North Carolina. This allocation will come from the State Board Reserve Fund. 
• The Board approved the FY 2023-2024 Career and College-Ready Graduate Program Report to the General Assembly. 
• The Board approved the FY 2023-24 NC Career Coach Program Annual Report, which reported 91 career coaches at 45 community colleges served 31,841 students at 64 Local Education Agencies. The General Assembly appropriated $5,655,000 to this program for FY 2023-24. 
• The Board approved the August 2024 Legislative Update of the In-State Tuition Pilot Program, “Success Without Borders.” The program allows Tri-County Community College to offer in-state tuition to up to 100 residents from the following Georgia counties bordering North Carolina: Fannin, Rabun, Towns, and Union.  

 The next meeting is October 18 in Raleigh.