At Blue Ridge Community College, we transform lives through the power of learning.

Campus News keeps you informed about our latest stories, successes, and opportunities.

We're nearly halfway through a great fall semester, but did you know that it's not too late to begin or continue your education? Blue Ridge Community College offers numerous

8-week accelerated Short Course sessions throughout the year; our next session of Short Courses starts on Oct. 18, and you can enroll through Oct. 17. This means that if a student wasn't able to start in August, there's still time to get on track! Or, you can fast track your education and get ahead, choosing from more than 70 courses to complete in half the time. It's one more way we're giving students options and flexibility to complete their education on their terms.

In just a few days, October's National Manufacturing Month will begin. During this time, we'll join our College's more than 200 manufacturing partners in recognizing the important role that advanced manufacturing plays in our daily lives, as well as the rewarding local careers it enables.

To this end, our College was thrilled to receive a grant earlier this year that added additional state-of-the-art manufacturing technology to our programs, including a new plasma cutting table in our welding lab. For an up close look at the difference a manufacturing education can make for a graduate, I invite you to watch our latest video production - now available at blueridge.edu/manufacturing.

Finally, I would like to give a public 'thank you' to our local delegation in the NC General Assembly whose work with the budget will greatly impact our community college system. The new budget expected to pass next week includes a $2.34M capital and equipment improvement allocation specifically for Blue Ridge, a raise for employees, and a generous budget for the community college system as a whole. While we're still awaiting the details, it says a lot that our lawmakers believe in our college and system to build a stronger workforce and tomorrow. Specifically, I'd like to recognize senators Kevin Corbin and Tim Moffitt; and representatives Jennifer Balkcom, Mike Clampitt, and Jake Johnson.

Thanks for reading this Campus News update, and I hope that you're as inspired by these latest stories as I am!

Blue Ridge Now Accepting Applications for Nursing Programs, Including New 'Practical Nursing' Program

As part of a strategy to meet critical workforce needs and educate the next generation of healthcare professionals, Blue Ridge Community College will begin accepting applications for its popular Associate Degree Nursing program and the new Practical Nursing program starting October 1.

The early application period for the five-semester Fall 2024 (August) nursing cohort runs Oct. 1 through Feb. 1. The one-year practical nursing program is taking applications for the Spring 2024 (January) cohort from Oct. 1 through Nov. 17. Scholarships and tuition assistance are available.

Related Story: 100% of last year's nursing cohort passed the state exam to become registered nurses!

Fueling Change: Blue Ridge Community College and Clean Vehicle Coalition Host Electric Vehicle Workforce Event

On Sept. 26, as part of the Land of Sky Clean Vehicle Coalition’s ‘Drive Electric Week,’ Blue Ridge Community College hosted the Electric Vehicles Workforce Development event. The event brought together business and community leaders to explore the future of the electric vehicle industry and the local workforce required to sustain it.

Blue Ridge Announces Short-term Training Opportunities

At Blue Ridge Community College, short-term training programs are a way for students to advance their current career or break into a new career field in a time frame that suits their schedule. Two common questions students often have of higher education are “how much will it cost, and how long will it take?” Blue Ridge is known for affordability, thanks to the College’s Financial Aid office and numerous scholarships provided through the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation. Short-term training has the quick turnaround time covered.

Closing the Career and College Promise Gap: The Power of a Cohort Model

In President Leatherwood's latest feature, she explores the obstacles high schoolers face in getting the most out of the Career and College Promise program, as well as what Blue Ridge Community College is doing to help.

Excerpt: "In North Carolina, high school students have the great privilege to earn college credits for free through the state’s Career and College Promise (CCP) program. Over 100 North Carolina colleges and universities have signed articulation agreements through CCP that guarantee a high school student CCP transfer credit (with a grade of C or higher). Students have the ability to earn as many as two years of college — debt-free — jumpstarting their college career or readying them to enter the workforce with skills in high-demand fields."

In Service to Their Communities: Women in Law Enforcement

Basic Law Enforcement Training at Blue Ridge Community College is designed to give students the essential skills required for entry-level employment as law enforcement officers with state, county or municipal governments, as well as private enterprises. Rutherford County native Haley Thompson and Marianna Tinoco, a North Henderson High graduate, successfully completed the program and are both currently working as police officers with the Hendersonville Police Department.

Blue Ridge Honors Graduates of Adult High School and High School Equivalency Programs

On August 3, Blue Ridge Community College hosted a graduation ceremony for graduates of the Adult High School and High School Equivalency programs in the Thomas Auditorium. Blue Ridge Chief of Staff Dr. David Stegall welcomed the graduates and guests with an inspirational message. 

“If you take this same determination and can-do attitude that brought you here today into every day that follows, you will have many great opportunities ahead,” he said. “You will inspire those around you and make a greater impact with your life.”

• Three New Trustees Welcomed to Blue Ridge Community College

• Public Safety College Provides Diverse Training for First Responders (WLOS)

• Blue Ridge’s Fall Convocation Prepares for Year of Opportunity

• Announcing the Fall Continuing Education Course Catalog

• Blue Ridge’s Hawsey Faces Adversity, Finds Strength

At Blue Ridge Community College, you’ll find a meaningful full- or part-time career that makes an impact and a community where lives are transformed through the power of learning.

We are currently hiring for part-time positions, such as:

• Clinical Associate Degree Nursing - Adjunct Instructor
• Sociology - Adjunct Instructor
• Central Sterile Processing - Adjunct Instructor
• Esthetics-Adjunct Instructor, Nights
• Cosmetology-Adjunct Instructor, Nights
• Cosmetology-Nail Technician - Adjunct Instructor

Learn more at blueridge.edu/careers.

What's Happening on Campus?

28th Annual ‘Arida Arts Symposium’ to Celebrate Black History

The 28th annual Arida Arts Symposium of Blue Ridge Community College will take place on September 29, 2023, featuring local storyteller and Black historian Ronnie Pepper. The symposium was established in 1993 to honor North Carolina artists and their many contributions to the arts. Open to the public with free admission, the event is funded by the Gamil T. Arida Endowment Fund through the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation.

Blue Ridge Piano Concert Series

This fall, the Blue Ridge Concert Series continues, featuring accomplished pianists in the College’s Bo Thomas Auditorium! The first performance will take place on Oct. 10 by Kevin Ayesh, artistic director of the Concert Series and former College music instructor (1992-2021). Other pianists in the series include Dr. James Helton (Nov. 14), Dr. Kirill Gliadkovsky (March 19), and Dr. Lino Rivera (April 23).

New Fall Plant Sale to be Offered on Oct. 7

The Blue Ridge Community College horticulture program will hold its inaugural fall plant sale on Saturday, October 7, as part of the Farm City Day event in Hendersonville’s Jackson Park. Live plants including mums, perennials and woody plants will be available for purchase through the event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Payment is accepted by cash or check, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Blue Ridge’s horticulture program.

Visit the Lakeside Café

Operated by the Hendersonville Community Co-op, The Lakeside Café is open to the public for business in the Killian Building of the Henderson County Campus! Typical hours are M-F, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Current hours and menu information are available on the co-op website.

The co-op has been providing the community with quality products and services for more than 20 years.

The Lakeside Café boasts delicious omnivore fare with an emphasis on local, quality ingredients. Students and campus goers can enjoy breakfast and lunch from the co-op’s made-to-order cafe.