A Message from the President

CFCC President Jim Morton sits indoors against a wood-paneled background, smiling at the camera. He is wearing a blue checkered blazer with a light blue dress shirt and a small circular lapel pin. His hands are folded in front of him as he sits on the edge of a desk, with a blurred seal and a red flag visible in the background.

We are proud to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the expanded Alston W. Burke Surf City Center, a milestone that reflects Cape Fear Community College's continued commitment to serving students where they are and supporting the growing workforce needs of Surf City and Pender County. Since breaking ground on June 2, 2025, we have added more than 10,500 square feet, doubling the facility's size and expanding opportunities for our community.

Our Surf City Center now includes two Economic and Workforce Development labs, a biology lab, additional faculty offices, and a dedicated Veterans Support Center. These additions allow us to provide hands-on training for high-demand careers, support university transfer students locally, and ensure our veterans have a welcoming space with access to essential resources.

This project was made possible through the leadership of our Board of Trustees, the support of the North Carolina Legislature, and the strong partnerships we share with Pender County Schools, local elected officials, and the Surf City community. Most importantly, this space was built for our students, and we look forward to seeing the careers and opportunities that will begin here for years to come.

Jim Morton

CFCC President

Surf City Ribbon Cutting

Aerial view of a brick campus building surrounded by a large parking lot and wooded area. Several cars are parked near the entrance, and a water tower is visible in the distance beyond the trees.

Four adults in business attire stand smiling with a Sea Devils mascot wearing a blue jersey with the number 00. The group poses together indoors at an event, with other attendees and equipment visible in the background.

A group of community leaders and staff stand behind a large blue ribbon during a ribbon-cutting ceremony indoors. One man at the center holds scissors to cut the ribbon, while others smile. A Snap-on Multimeter sign is mounted on the wall behind them.

A man in a dark suit and patterned tie speaks at a wooden podium with the Cape Fear Community College seal on the front. He gestures with one hand while addressing an audience. A microphone is positioned in front of him, and marine equipment is visible in the background.

In Case You Missed It

CFCC's Bridge to Independence Program is expanding opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through hands-on career exploration and personalized support. The program builds pathways to meaningful employment, greater independence, and inclusive workforce participation.

CFCC has renamed the Nuclear Maintenance Technology Lab as the GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Lab after receiving a donation from the company. The expanded partnership strengthens support for CFCC's Nuclear Technology program and prepares students for careers in the nuclear energy field.

The 4th Annual Construction Industry and Apprenticeship Career Fair will be held on Thursday, March 12, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., on CFCC's North Campus. The event is open to students, job seekers, and community members interested in exploring careers in construction and skilled trades.

Alt text: Close-up of a person wearing white work gloves installing light wood flooring panels on a concrete surface. Several planks are arranged nearby, along with a hammer, carpenter’s square, and pencil.

CFCC is launching a new Flooring Installation Course at the Surf City campus starting on March 2. This course is designed to address a regional shortage of skilled flooring installers in southeastern NC. The 300-hour, hands-on program is offered in partnership with the Floor Covering Education Foundation.

CFCC to Host FAFSA Completion Support Event on March 5

Featured Sea Devils

Woman wearing a yellow hard hat, clear glasses, and an orange safety vest over a dark hoodie gives a thumbs-up while standing on what appears to be a boat deck. A second person in a red vest is blurred in the background near an open doorway.

After relocating to Wilmington to pursue a life on the water, Katie Underwood enrolled in CFCC's Marine Technology program to turn her passion into a career. Through immersive, hands-on training and time at sea, she's gaining the skills and confidence needed to navigate a future in the maritime industry.

Four women and a young child pose together at a crowded indoor celebration. One woman dressed in white scrubs and a nurse’s cap holds flowers and smiles, while others hold bouquets and gifts. The group stands in a lobby with people mingling in the background, suggesting a graduation or pinning ceremony.

Aretta Williams overcame career changes and personal challenges to earn her Associate Degree in Nursing from CFCC in December 2025. Now beginning her career in hospice care, she credits community support and CFCC's nursing program for helping her reach her goal.

Smiling student standing outdoors in front of the Cape Fear Community College building sign, with landscaped flowers and shrubs in the foreground.

CFCC student Lauren Melton shared how her work study role in Career Services has given her hands-on experience supporting classmates with resumes, job searches, and career events. Her perspective highlights the welcoming, resource-rich enviroment that helps students explore career paths and connect with employers.

Alt text: A woman with curly dark hair stands smiling with her arms crossed in a sewing classroom. Behind her are sewing machines on tables, mannequin heads, and racks of colorful thread near large windows.

Chloe Priddy-Barnum, CFCC Theatre Instructor, is showcasing her costume design work in the 2026 CFCC Faculty Art Exhibition at the Wilma W. Daniels Gallery. The display highlights theatre design as a visual art form, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creativity and craftsmanship that bring stage productions to life.

A woman standing outdoors holding a blue Cape Fear Community College pennant. A decorative sculpture with a yellow starburst design is visible behind her.

CFCC alumna and author S. C. Porter returned to campus to share her journey from student to published writer and bookstore owner with students and community members. Her visit highlighted how her time at CFCC helped shape her creative and entrepreneurial path.

Small Business Center Client Spotlight

Smiling woman with curly light brown hair holds a small fluffy dog in her arms while standing outdoors in front of green foliage with red berries. She is wearing a dark top with colorful paw prints, and the dog, a small tan-and-white breed, looks calmly at the camera.

Danielle Myers turned 15 years of dog grooming experience into her own business, Happy Tails Pet Salon, where she focuses on patient, comfort-first care rather than speed. With guidance from CFCC's Small Business Center, she launched her LLC in 2025 and continues to grow her salon one dog at a time, building strong relationships and planning future expansions.

910-362-7000