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CFCC Receives Largest Grant in College History

From left to right: CFCC President Jim Morton, Executive Director of LINC Frankie Roberts, CFCC Associate VP of Economic and Workforce Development Erica Talbert, and CFCC VP of Economic and Workforce Development John Downing

This year, Cape Fear Community College received a $3.9+ million grant to provide educational services for area prisoners and those recently released from incarceration. The Pathway Home Project will serve approximately 400 participants as they transition from incarceration to productive citizenship. The project will be a collaborative community effort involving agencies in New Hanover and Pender counties that already serve this population. These agencies will join forces with Cape Fear Community College to provide a continuum of training and support services to individuals before and immediately following release from incarceration. CFCC will offer training services and collaborate with transitional housing and case management services to create a streamlined approach that will support incarcerated individuals as they transition home and build sustainable, independent, and productive lifestyles. One of the non-profits partnering with Cape Fear Community College on this initiative is Leading Into New Communities, Inc. (LINC). For over 20 years, LINC has provided reentry services for incarcerated people. Frankie Roberts, Executive Director of LINC, is excited about the opportunities the Pathway Home Project will provide. “Our work is about turning setbacks into comebacks,” said Roberts. “Our partnership with CFCC means we can change lives through training that helps individuals earn credentials that qualify them for high-demand jobs. This partnership exemplifies what true collaboration looks like.”

“We want to meet students wherever they are and help them take the next positive step.”

—CFCC President Jim Morton

North Carolina Wesleyan College

December, 2020 CFCC and North Carolina Wesleyan College (NCWC) continue to enhance educational opportunities for CFCC students by offering graduates access to the benefits of the Wesleyan Works program: pre-admission advising, generous transfer credit, and a clear definition of the transfer of courses from CFCC to NCWC. The agreement allows graduates of CFCC’s AAS programs to transfer up to 75 credit hours to NC Wesleyan College.

UNC-Pembroke

February, 2021 CFCC’s partnership with UNC-Pembroke provides a pathway for CFCC’s Criminal Justice Technology students to further their studies at the university level.

North Carolina Central University

November, 2021 This partnership provides a seamless transition for CFCC students receiving an Associate in Applied Science degree at CFCC to gain guaranteed admittance from NCCU and earn a bachelor’s degree upon completion of their degree and other program requirements. CFCC students earning a 2.75 GPA or better will be considered for the North Carolina Community College Scholarship. Advising will be available from CFCC and NCCU academic advisors.

NEW UNIVERSITY TRANSFER PARTNERSHIPS

University of Maryland Global Campus

January, 2021 CFCC signed an agreement with University of Maryland Global Campus in early 2021. UMGC provides distance learning opportunities for university transfer students.

Utica College

February, 2021 This articulation agreement provides a pathway for CFCC’s Cybercrime Technology students to further their education in this rapidly growing industry. Utica College has been recognized by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and a National Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence by the Defense Cyber Crime Center.

Lees-McRae College

March, 2021 Cape Fear Community College President Jim Morton and Lees-McRae President Herbert L. King, Jr. signed an agreement to establish a Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP) for qualifying CFCC students. The agreement also provides scholarship support for eligible CFCC students who transfer to Lees-McRae College after completing their associate degrees.

CFCC President Jim Morton and NCCU Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D. gather for November signing at CFCC

CARES ACT: MORE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS

In 2021, CFCC awarded 13,336 HEERF grants to 11,492 students - a total of $8,571,728. These funds assisted students with costs associated with attending college, from tuition to living expenses. CFCC prioritized the distribution of this funding for students with exceptional financial need, including emergency costs that arose due to COVID-19, such as tuition, food, housing, health care, and child care. CFCC was also able to leverage HEERF funding to assist students who needed just a few courses in order to graduate, encouraging them to return CFCC to complete a credential.

CFCC PARTNERS WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

“Students are not only improving their skills, but they are also impacting the lives of children and families in our community.”

—CFCC President Jim Morton

CFCC’s Carpentry and Construction Management Technology programs partnered with Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity to build playhouses for the organization’s Playhouse Project. Habitat for Humanity’s Playhouse Project is part of an ongoing effort to find unique ways to bring new groups together around the issue of affordable housing. CFCC Carpentry and Construction Management Technology students pre-built playhouses to prepare for a Habitat for Humanity event where sponsors decorated the playhouses for local children in need. “What a win-win for everyone involved,” said CFCC’s Dean of Career and Technical Education, Mark Council. “The Playhouse Project will benefit our community for years to come.” “We are thrilled with CFCC’s willingness to partner with us on this project,” said Lauren McKenzie, Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Executive Director. “Cape Fear Habitat is committed to building a better future for the children we serve and this project is a way to serve even more children in our community. Every child deserves their own safe place to play and use their imagination. I cannot wait to see the look of joy on their faces when they are gifted their very own playhouse.”

Students make a difference with Habitat for Humanity with custom builds for Playhouse Project.

COVID-19: CFCC Nursing and EMS Students Step Up To Help

Advanced EMT, Paramedic, EMS, Practical Nursing, and Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) students assisted New Hanover Regional Medical Center in its COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) student Mandy Cowie volunteered at the clinic giving pre-vaccination interviews to elderly patients who opted to use the curbside service. “I felt so privileged to be asked to assist. This is something we never expected to happen, but it’s a great way for us to strengthen our skills and help our community.” Chip Munna, CFCC’s Emergency Medical Science program director, described the partnership between CFCC and NHRMC as a win-win. “Working with NHRMC’s professionals in this setting provided a tremendous learning opportunity for our students. EMS is a dynamic profession, and our students are learning that they truly must be ready for anything.”

Mandy Cowie, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) student Marco Perez, Associate Degree Nursing student

“I am proud CFCC students have the opportunity to get involved. Knowing that NHRMC sought out our students to assist with vaccinations makes me proud to be an educator at CFCC. Our students were well-prepared to help with this important effort.”

—Associate Degree Nursing Instructor Heather Caldwell

Each year, as part of WILMA’s Women to Watch Awards, Wilma Magazine gives stipends to four local students to support their writing efforts. Students are nominated by officials from their school’s writing programs. This year, two students from CFCC each received financial assistance.

Megan Erne

Megan is a Pender Early College High School student with plans to earn her Associate in Arts degree at CFCC and then pursue a bachelor’s degree, and eventually a master’s in English.

Sarah Rhue

Sarah received an Associate in Arts from CFCC. Her passions are visual arts and creative writing. She’s also writing a historical fiction book series on women’s issues to promote female empowerment.

WILMA Supports CFCC Students

Megan Erne Sarah Rhue

Top Ranked Construction Company Chooses CFCC

Pollinator Garden Helps Brighten Local After-School Program

In 2021, seven construction management students were employed by T. A. Loving Company, a consistently top-ranked commercial construction company. Three students received full-time offers while four students were extended internships. These students joined the company’s Summer Construction Internship and Construction Trainee program, giving them hands-on experience and exposure to industry leaders across the organization. Each student was also partnered with a mentor to aid in his/her professional growth. “We are excited and grateful for this partnership with T. A. Loving Company,” said CFCC’s Dean of Career and Technical Education Mark Council. Through the company’s internship and construction trainee program, CFCC students further the application of the skills they learn in the program and help meet the needs of the local workforce.”

“The folks that come out of Cape Fear Community College to work for T. A. Loving have been extremely prepared and hardworking, and it has been a very positive experience for us. Their work ethic is impressive and we are really pleased and excited to continue this partnership with the Construction Management Technology program at CFCC.”

—Jason Hill, Regional Operations

Manager, T. A. Loving Company

CFCC’s landscape gardening and horticulture science program installed a pollinator garden for an after-school program at Maides Park this year. The pollinator garden will be used as an educational resource for the park’s after-school program. The pollinator garden affords children in the after-school program the opportunity to see and learn about various local pollinators. The garden’s design came about through a capstone course project where CFCC students were tasked with designing a garden and maintenance plan and creating educational material— from which the students can learn about the garden and the pollinators it attracts.

Plants were provided by a grant from the Cape Fear Garden Club, Inc.

CFCC’s Theatre Department Presents “The Laramie Project”

CFCC’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts was thrilled to present a production of “The Laramie Project” by Moises Kaufman and the Members of the Tectonic Theatre Project. The performance was directed by CFCC Theatre Chair Jessica Gaffney and performed at CFCC’s outdoor amphitheater by the Union Station building.

“It was an absolute honor to work on ‘The Laramie Project’ with such talented actors.”

—Michael Wines Student Performer

October, 2020: The Wilson Center Celebrates Five Years

Opening in October of 2015, the Wilson Center drew 30,000 visitors from out of town in its first year alone, with another nearly 70,000 from the surrounding area. Since then, it has almost doubled revenue each year, bringing significant measurable impact to the tourist industry in the area. The disruption caused by COVID-19 allowed time for reflection. “In addition to performing routine maintenance, we took a look at our staffing, organizational, and program models based on five years of data,” said Shane Fernando, CFCC’s VP of Advancement and the Arts. “We’re now back stronger than ever.” After being quiet for more than a year, the Wilson Center reopened in April of 2021 with its first limited performance, presented by Opera House Theatre Company. “The energy was amazing! It was electric,” said Fernando. “Everyone was just so happy to join together and see a live performance.” Now, the Wilson Center is exploding with exciting shows, including Boz Scaggs, Lily Tomlin, CATS, Beautiful, Jay Leno, and Weird Al Yankovic. Visit WilsonCenterTickets.com to see the full schedule of events.

SINCE OPENING IN 2015

415,787 Tickets Sold $20,387,493 Total Revenue $1,327,285 Tax Revenue Generated Broadway for a Better World provided 1,388 tickets to 998 community organizations ($115,488 value) 17,200 Students participated in educational programming at the Wilson Center

Data as of 2021