Greetings! Here's your monthly guide to what's happening at CFCC.

We're so glad to see sunny, warmer days returning and are looking forward to many pleasant days ahead. In addition to the great weather, we've had some exciting developments at CFCC!

Last week we signed an agreement with Lees-McRae College to establish a Guaranteed Admission Program for qualifying CFCC students. In addition to guaranteed admission, the agreement provides scholarship support for eligible CFCC students who transfer to Lees-McRae College after completing their associate degrees. This is an incredible opportunity for students who would like to continue their studies after CFCC in beautiful Banner Elk, where students can enroll in programs like Wildlife Biology, Outdoor Recreation Management, Musical Theatre, and Exercise Science.

Our Associate Degree, Licensed Practical Nursing and EMS students continue to assist New Hanover County with vaccination efforts. What a wonderful opportunity for these students to get hands-on training and help our community! We appreciate their commitment to the health of our region.

CFCC is partnering with New Hanover and Pender County Schools to promote the completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in our region. It’s so important for high school seniors to complete this application in order to be eligible for financial assistance with college tuition and expenses. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so we strongly encourage students to complete the FAFSA early to improve their eligibility for funding.

CFCC has financial aid assistance events on March 17 and 24 so students can get personalized assistance completing the FAFSA. Visit cfcc.edu/events for details. Also, parents, please refer to my latest Insights article "A Parent's Guide to the FAFSA: 6 Need-to-knows" for helpful information regarding the FAFSA.

We have a lot to look forward to in 2021. I am thankful for your support of Cape Fear Community College.

We are honored to earn this wonderful designation once again! CFCC is constantly committed to bringing quality programs and support to active-duty military, veterans, and their families.

Read more here.

We are proud to share Psychology instructor Jason McCoy's recorded lecture "Magic Show in the Mind." This video exemplifies an incredibly creative use of technology to deliver an online educational experience. Well done, Jason!

To view, click the image above or click here.

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 Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) students. The agreement also provides scholarship support for eligible CFCC students who transfer to Lees-McRae College after completing their associate degrees.

“Lees-McRae College is extremely excited about partnering with Cape Fear Community College...The academic offerings at both schools line up well for Cape Fear students looking to move on to a bachelor’s degree, and the scholarships and tuition discounts that are part of this Guaranteed Admission Program will provide a private college education at a very affordable price.” –Lees-McRae Vice President for Enrollment Management Kevin Phillips

Read the full story here.

CFCC/UNC-Pembroke: CFCC recently signed an articulation agreement with the University of North Carolina at Pembroke to provide a pathway for CFCC's Criminal Justice Technology students to further their education in criminal justice. This agreement paves the way for students to complete the required hours for the Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice Technology at CFCC to transfer their credits to UNC Pembroke's Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program.

CFCC/NCWC Partnership Revised: CFCC and North Carolina Wesleyan College (NCWC) continue to enhance the educational opportunities of Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), Associate in Fine Arts (AFA), and Associate in Applied Science (AAS) graduates by offering CFCC 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 revised agreement allows grads of CFCC's AAS programs to transfer up to 75 credit hours to NC Wesleyan College.

CFCC/Utica College: A recently signed articulation agreement between CFCC and Utica College 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.

We're excited to collaborate with YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear to offer STRIVE, a free professional development program for women and underserved community members. The course, Computers in the Workplace, is designed to train students in digital programs necessary to become more competitive in the job market. Read more about this exciting program here.

We are pleased to introduce our Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Advertising and Graphic Design program starting this fall. Students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the graphic design profession, emphasizing design, advertising, illustration, and digital and multimedia preparation of printed and electronic promotional materials.

CFCC plans to collaborate with UNCW to develop a local articulation agreement for CFCC’s Advertising and Graphic Design graduates to transfer credits to UNCW’s Digital Arts program. In addition, CFCC intends to offer a dual-enrollment pathway for advertising and graphic design for New Hanover and Pender County high school students who are interested in the field.

Learn more here.

A big thank you to the Cape Fear Fair & Expo who recently awarded over $11,000 to the Cape Fear Community College Foundation to be used for student scholarships.

Read the full story here.

CFCC's convenient accelerated sessions offer students full college credit courses at a quicker pace. Our 8-week session begins March 15. There is still time to apply, so get started today at cfcc.edu/admissions.

Billingsley's art is now on display at the Craven Arts Council Gallery.

This is a large and spectacular exhibit. View the interactive virtual show here.

CFCC Marine Technology Instructor Brian Bradley was a guest speaker on TELEDYNE's recent podcast "The Benefits of Hands-On Experience Training."

Brian teaches Hydrographic Surveying, Marine Instrumentation, and Marine Data Processing and also serves as an “at sea" instructor for three of the five oceanographic training cruises students are required to complete during their course of study. In this episode, Brian talks about the equipment and the program and how the combination of their classroom and on-water experience creates a much faster and easier transition to the workplace after graduation.

Listen to the podcast here!

We're proud to recognize our own Jessica Gaffney for her contribution to Southern Theatre Magazine, a quarterly regional publication published by the Southeastern Theatre Conference.

Jessica offered an insightful contribution to the article entitled "Dollars and Sense, Professors and Other Experts Share Advice on Financing Your Theatre Degree." Great work, Jessica!

Read the full story here starting on page 26.

We love seeing our students succeed and it looks like Zachary has got it "covered." Zachary graduated from CFCC's Marine Technology program and is now a Fish Technician and RAS grow-out supervisor at Great Falls Aquaculture. Way to go, Zachary!

As vaccination efforts continue, we are thankful and proud of our students for being a part of this initiative. Pictured here are CFCC Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) students stepping up to help the community. Way to go!

For vaccine information and schedules, visit health.nhcgov.com/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine.

Santos Pagan graduated from CFCC’s Basic Law Enforcement Training program in 2018, and after graduation, he continued working in security at CFCC as a shift supervisor before he landed a job with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Department. He was recently featured in the Wilmington Star-News. Read Santos's story here.

CFCC Small Business Center offers great resources to assist our local small businesses. Here's a glimpse at a few upcoming events. Please attend if you can and tell a friend!

Topic: Tax Planning

Online

Topic: Business Accounting and Budget

Online

Topic: Start-up Assistance

Online

Topic: Tax Planning

Online

Topic: Start-up Assistance

Online

Topic: Tax Planning

Online

This is just a snapshot of our offerings. View the entire list here.

View livestream here

View the complete athletics schedule here

Surgical Technology Virtual Info Session

The surgical technology program at CFCC prepares individuals to assist in the care of the surgical patient in the operating room and to function as a member of the surgical team.

Wednesday, March 17, 10-11 am

Access session here

Practical Nursing Virtual Info Session

Access session here

Veterinary Medical Technology Virtual Info Session

Access session here

Save your spot here

Virtual Job Expo March 22-25, 2021

CFCC Career Development Services is excited to host the Spring 2021 Virtual Job Expo for students and alumni. Learn more about this event here.

This is just a partial list of happenings and program info sessions at CFCC! Check out all upcoming events at CFCC.EDU/EVENTS.

...Also—keep an eye on our social media for updates on program information sessions and other upcoming events.

The Wilma W. Daniels Gallery, New Hanover County Schools, and the Wilson Center are

thrilled to announce the return of this annual student art show, that showcases the work of student artists in New Hanover County Schools. This popular exhibition – normally a part of Best Foot Forward, the annual celebration of the arts in the New Hanover County Schools – returns to the Wilma W. Daniels Gallery this spring, and will feature the work of dozens of artists. The exhibition is open to the public from March 15 - 19, 2021, from noon - 5 pm.

Visitors are welcome and will be asked to maintain physical distancing as required by local and state regulations. Masks are required for entry. For those who may not be able to attend the exhibition in the Gallery, NHCS will also produce a Virtual Best Foot Forward Art Exhibit, which will be shared via the district’s social media.

The Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College marked its fifth year beginning in October of 2020. We were honored to receive a unique and special gift to celebrate this milestone – a sculpture by renowned artist and activist Dorothy Gillespie.

This new addition to the main lobby – entitled Festival of Sound – joins another Gillespie sculpture – Entrance to the Enchanted Castle – which has graced the Wilson Center lobby and been seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors since the building opened in 2015.

According to Gary Israel, son of the artist, "My mother developed a strong relationship over the years with the city of Wilmington through her frequent travels there. She would be honored to have her wall sculpture, Festival of Sound, in a premiere venue such as the Wilson Center, given its role as a hub for the fine arts and performing arts in Wilmington."

"It is such a generous and meaningful gesture to recognize this Wilson Center milestone. Dorothy Gillespie's work is trailblazing, dynamic, and will continue to inspire our students and guests. Having her work as a part of the Wilson Center's permanent art collection is something very special, and what a delight to announce this gift while we have an exhibition of her work at the Wilma Daniels Gallery."

–Shane Fernando, CFCC's Vice President of Advancement and the Arts

Sign up for the Wilson Center mailing list here.