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Full parking lots and busy campuses – it’s that time again. School is starting again at North Carolina’s colleges and universities.
As North Carolina community colleges are busy welcoming students back to their campuses, we visited two colleges to see what’s going on this fall semester. We met students from all walks of life, all with different plans and all beginning their studies at one of the state’s 58 community colleges.
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McDowell Technical Community College
North Carolina’s community colleges are recognized as engines of the workforce, and this recognition is due in part to the real-world experience students gain there.
Shortly before I arrived at McDowell Technical Community College (MTCC), emergency responders received word that a rescue helicopter needed to land at the college due to an accident miles away involving a patient who likely required evacuation by helicopter. Paramedic students and emergency medical personnel were waiting for instructions in a cleared area on campus.
This was an opportunity to see how real life meets hands-on learning.
Before the all-clear was given, the students discussed working in the emergency services and their reasons for choosing this profession.
For Autumn Sloan, being an EMT is a very personal thing. Her father was often sick when she was younger, and Sloan often found herself face-to-face with emergency responders.
“It had a big impact,” Sloan said.
As she grew older, Sloan knew she could handle the task of being the first to arrive on someone’s worst day.
Sisters Sierra and Cheyenne Kelley are following in their father’s footsteps. The Kelleys’ father worked in the fire department and was an important part of the emergency response team. During high school, the sisters completed junior firefighter training and the EMT basic certification program.
Several MTCC paramedic students recently competed in the SkillsUSA North Carolina Championship – a competition that showcases the skills of career and technical education students. Sloan took second place and the Kelley sisters were awarded fifth place in the EMT division.
Sloan and the Kelley sisters graduate on December 13. All three currently work for McDowell County Emergency Services.
The Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center, adjacent to the MTCC campus, was established in 2014. The center expands classroom and laboratory space for programs including welding, machining, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and building construction technology.
Emily Wilson is in her final year at McDowell Early College and hopes to one day work as a contractor alongside her family members. She is currently taking an electrical engineering course at the college.
Alex Garcia is enrolled in the civil engineering program. Like Sloan, his career decision was a personal one.
“I want to be a contractor and build a house for my family,” Garcia said. “But then I also want to give back and build homeless shelters.”
Garcia will complete his program in the next two years.
Emily Thomas/EducationNC
Not only was it the first week of classes for the students, but it was also the first week of the fall semester at MTCC for the President.
Dr. JW Kelley was named the seventh president of McDowell Technical Community College in June 2024. Kelley previously served as the assistant vice president for student services at the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) office. Prior to NCCCS, Kelley held leadership positions at Randolph Community College and Fayetteville Technical Community College.
In his inaugural address to faculty and staff, Kelley praised their commitment to serving every student.
“Thanks to their combined efforts, the college experienced double-digit growth in 2023-24, and early projections indicate stable enrollment numbers for fall 2025,” Kelley said.
In his first 90 days as president, Kelley plans to hold hearings both within the college and with the wider public.
“Inexperienced leaders quickly begin leading without knowing anything about the people they are trying to lead. Mature leaders, however, listen, learn and then lead,” Kelley said in a recent McDowell News article.
It’s a leadership philosophy that Kelley said fits seamlessly into the college’s strategic planning process. Kelley will begin developing MTCC’s next strategic plan in spring 2025.
“Together, we will continue to strategically mentor each student, helping them achieve their career goals and meet the needs of business and industry,” he said.
Cleveland Community College
Wednesday, August 21st was Meet the Yetis day on the campus of Cleveland Community College.
The lobby of the Spirit Shop was filled with athletes standing at tables ready to greet students on their first week of classes.
The energy in the room was undeniable. Players gathered around, talking about upcoming games and predicting how their season would go.
“Oh, we’re going to be good this year,” said the women’s basketball team.
Cleveland has 130 athletes on nine sports teams.
Ravin Brooks and Xiomara Estela are playing for Cleveland’s basketball team for the second time and are excited about the strength of their team this year.
When asked what advice they would give to other students, especially athletes, Brooks and Estela said, “Be a student first, an athlete second, and learn to manage your time.”
Brooks advised high school seniors to follow their own path, especially when it comes to deciding on a college.
Both players plan to transfer to a four-year university after completing their associate degrees.
Jaylen Ledbetter and Sayge Strange play softball in Cleveland.
Strange began her studies at a four-year college to study elementary education, but decided early on that college and the major were not right for her. She dropped out and decided to pursue a degree in the medical field in Cleveland.
“It was a big change, but I’ve always enjoyed the medical field,” Strange said.
Cleveland was also closer to home and Strange said family meant everything to her.
Ledbetter said her decision to go to Cleveland and play softball was a good option. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to study, but she knew she wanted to play and develop her talent on the field. Now she’s getting plenty of playing time and taking general education courses.
Strange had some words of wisdom for those considering college next year: “Explore your options. It’s not just about going to a four-year university when you can get the same education here and it’s not as expensive.”
Courtesy of Cleveland Community College
Maria “Nely” Rivera-Guerrero is the President of the Cleveland Student Government Association (SGA) and has held this position since spring 2023.
Her goal for this year is to continue to make students aware of the support systems available to them at college.
“I know that without this support system, I probably wouldn’t be where I am now,” she said.
These support systems range from tutoring to food, Rivera-Guerro says, resources that are critical to student success inside and outside the classroom.
Dr. Jason Hurst, president of Cleveland Community College, said the college is excited to welcome new and returning students to campus for the fall semester.
“Seeing so many students on campus reminds us that what we do matters,” Hurst said. “Our faculty and staff are looking forward to a great semester of supporting our students to grow, learn and succeed.”
Hurst, who is in his sixth year as president of the college, said the numbers are still being finalized, but enrollment is up 15% from last fall semester.
