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Greetings!
As we move into the month of March, Halifax Community College continues to build momentum in advancing student success, workforce readiness, and meaningful community engagement. This time of year is especially energizing across campus, as students prepare for upcoming milestones, faculty and staff continue work in teaching and service, and new opportunities for growth and collaboration take shape.
Throughout this semester, we remain focused on expanding access to high-quality academic programs, strengthening partnerships that create career pathways for our students, and ensuring that every individual who walks through our doors finds the support needed to achieve their goals. Whether through workforce training initiatives, transfer opportunities, student engagement activities, or community outreach, our collective efforts demonstrate the powerful impact of education across the Roanoke Valley.
I encourage each of you to stay engaged, take advantage of the many resources and events offered this spring, and continue supporting one another as we work together to transform lives through learning. Thank you for being an essential part of the Halifax Community College family and for helping us move forward with purpose and pride.
Dr. Patrena Elliott
President/CEO, Halifax Community College
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Halifax Community College Advocates for Student Success and Workforce Development at 2026 ACCT National Legislative Summit | Larry B. Perkins, Trustee, Dr. Elease Frederick, Trustee, Mary Mebane, Trustee, Dr. Patrena Benton Elliott, President, Halifax Community College, Lillie Pernell, Trustee, Shirley Webb-Owens, Trustee and Barbie Shearin, Trustee, in Senator Thom Tillis’ office. | |
Halifax Community College (HCC) joined more than 1,200 community college leaders from across the nation at the 2026 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C., held February 8-11, 2026, reinforcing its commitment to advancing student success, workforce development, and rural community growth.
Representing HCC at the summit were President Dr. Patrena Benton Elliott and Trustees Dr. Elease Frederick, Barbie Shearin, Lillie Pernell, Mary Mebane, Shirley Webb-Owens, and Larry B. Perkins. Together, the delegation engaged in discussions with federal lawmakers and national leaders to advocate for policies that directly impact community colleges and the students they serve.
| | Halifax Community College Announces Commencement Speaker for 59th Annual Commencement Ceremony | | Mr. Eddie Buffaloe, Jr., Retired NC Secretary of Public Safety, current Deputy Chief of the Administrative Services Division for the Raleigh Police Department | | Halifax Community College is pleased to announce that Mr. Eddie Buffaloe, Jr., retired North Carolina Secretary of Public Safety and current Deputy Chief of the Administrative Services Division for the Raleigh Police Department, will serve as the keynote speaker at the College’s 59th Annual Commencement Ceremony, scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. The ceremony will be held on campus at the Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. Centre. The 59th Annual Commencement Ceremony will celebrate the achievements of Halifax Community College’s graduating class of 2026, recognizing students who have completed degree, diploma, and certificate programs. | |
Professional Development Day Collage | |
Professional Development Day, held on February 25, 2026, at Halifax Community College, was a huge success! Our team came together to learn, connect, and grow.
A special thank you to Meredith Klauss, Senior Account Manager at Element451, for facilitating an engaging and insightful Element451 Kickoff Session. Her extensive experience in higher education and passion for helping institutions succeed provided a valuable perspective as we continue enhancing how we connect with and support our students.
The Element451 Kickoff was the highlight of Professional Development Day. “The launch of Element451 marks an important step forward for Halifax Community College. This technology allows us to better connect with our students, streamline support, and remain focused on what matters most—student success,” states Dr. Patrena B. Elliott, President of HCC.
We are grateful to all presenters, organizers, and participants who made today a meaningful and impactful experience. Together, we continue to strengthen our mission of serving our students and community with excellence.
| Halifax Community College Honors Black History Month | |
Halifax Community College proudly hosted its African American Heritage Month Celebration on February 12, 2026 at 11 AM in The Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. Centre, featuring the unveiling and dedication of the 2026 USPS Black Heritage Stamp honoring Phillis Wheatley.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our 2026 Local Hero Award recipients:
✨ Charisma Daniel
✨ Ky’Juan Faison-Mobley
✨ Jacquelyn Ruffin-Pittman
Their leadership, service, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire our campus and community.
A special thank you to Lisa Benton, Weldon Postmaster, for presenting the stamp during the unveiling and dedication ceremony. We are grateful for the meaningful partnership and for the presence of our distinguished representatives from the United States Postal Service who helped make this moment so memorable.
Thank you as well to all of our guests and attendees who joined us to celebrate history, achievement, and the power of community.
| | From left to right (or top to bottom, for mobile users): Dr. Patrena B. Elliott, HCC President/CEO with Charisma Daniel, Local Hero Award Recipient; Ky'Juan Faison, Local Hero Award Recipient; and Jacquelyn Ruffin-Pittman, Local Hero Award Recipient. | | 2026 Black Heritage Stamp Unveiling | | |
The 2026 Black Heritage USPS stamp honors Phillis Wheatley. Born in West Africa and brought to Boston on a slave ship, Phillis Wheatley was enslaved but educated in the Wheatley household. Wheatley published her first collection, “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral,” in 1773. This collection showcased her impressive mastery of various poetic forms, including hymns, elegies, and narrative verse, securing her place in history. Freed from slavery that same year, she went on to correspond with figures such as George Washington, who praised her poetic talent.
Wheatley’s legacy continues to inspire generations, earning her the title “the mother of African American literature.” Before the Civil War, abolitionists used her accomplishments to affirm the intellectual capability of people of African descent and argue against slavery. Today schools, libraries, community centers and university buildings across the country have been named for Wheatley, and she has been the subject of numerous inspirational books for children. In 2003, a statue of the poet was included in a new Boston Women’s Memorial. The first full-length scholarly biography of Wheatley was published in 2011, with a second biographical study published in 2023, part of an ongoing effort to recognize her resilience in adversity.
Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using an existing portrait by Kerry James Marshall.
The Phillis Wheatley stamp will be issued in panes of 20. As a Forever stamp, it will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
Source: Lott, F. M. (2026, January 2). USPS Honors Phillis Wheatley, First Published African American Poet, With 49th Black Heritage Stamp. Usps.com. Retrieved January 13, 2026, from https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2026/0102ma-usps-honors-poet-phillis-wheatley-with-49th-black-heritage-stamp.htm
| | Nurse-Family Partnership at HCC | Learn more about The Northeastern North Carolina Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) at Halifax Community College (HCC) program with our new video! | The Northeastern North Carolina Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) at Halifax Community College (HCC) program pairs a free personal nurse with first-time moms. Nurse-Family Partnership works by having specially trained nurses regularly visit first-time moms-to-be, starting early in the pregnancy and continuing through the child’s second birthday. | | Are you or someone you know a first time mom? Get in touch with NFP at HCC today! | |
HCC Nursing Instructor Earns National Certification | Ms. Tia Alfonso, Halifax Community College Nursing Instructor | |
Halifax Community College proudly recognizes Ms. Tia Alfonso, Nursing Instructor, for successfully passing the Academic Practical/Vocational Nurse Educator (CNE®pv) Certification Exam, administered by the National League for Nursing.
This nationally recognized certification is designed to measure competence within the scope of the academic practical/vocational nurse educator role, validating expertise in teaching, curriculum development, and student engagement. By earning this credential, Ms. Alfonso demonstrates a strong commitment to excellence in nursing education and to preparing students for success in the healthcare field.
Her impact in the classroom is equally noteworthy. As a direct result of her instructional excellence, Ms. Alfonso’s Practical Nursing students achieved a 100% pass rate in 2025, reflecting her dedication to student success and high-quality instruction.
The certification also highlights the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities required of nurse educators, while reinforcing best practices and core competencies in vocational nursing instruction.
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Alfonso on this outstanding professional achievement and continued commitment to excellence at Halifax Community College!
| | Roanoke Valley Early College Instructor Recieves the Civic Star Challenge Award | | Mr. Charles Oliver, Roanoke Valley Early College Instructor | |  | |
Congratulations to Mr. Charles Oliver for receiving the Civic Star Challenge Award. The Civic Star Challenge is a nationwide initiative to inspire millions of acts of Civic Learning in the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Mr. Oliver states, "Teaching Civics helps students understand that their voices matter and that they have a role in shaping their communities, which is why I chose to take part in the Civic Star Challenge."
Mr. Oliver is 1 of 63 educators from 28 states who received honors in February for integrating themes from the Declaration of Independence into their teaching in the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of its signing. He will receive a $300.00 reward for this recognition.
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Celebrating a New Arrival | |
Halifax Community College is delighted to share joyful news from one of our own. John Mulder, Program Chair for HVAC and Facility Maintenance, recently welcomed a new addition to his family.
His grandson, Samuel Weston Mulder, was born on February 18 to proud parents Andrew and Emma Grace Mulder.
Please join us in congratulating the Mulder family on this wonderful blessing and wishing them much happiness as they celebrate this special time together!
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Turn Your Bold Idea Into a Business: SBCN Startup Showdown Applications Open March 1
Aspiring entrepreneurs across North Carolina are invited to transform their innovative ideas into thriving businesses through the SBCN Startup Showdown, powered by Wells Fargo. Applications open March 1, 2026, offering participants the opportunity to compete for up to $30,000 in startup funding while gaining valuable business development support.
Selected participants will receive online entrepreneurship training and mentorship, business planning tools, professional pitch coaching, and a professionally produced pitch video, along with statewide exposure through public voting. The program begins in May 2026 and culminates with a Pitch Day and Showcase in August 2026.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and present a new, not-yet-established business idea based in North Carolina. Applications close April 7, 2026.
To learn more or apply, visit: nccommunitycolleges.edu/sbcnstartupshowdown.
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The Next NC Scholarship offers an opportunity for many adults to return to school at no cost, helping them gain the skills they need to secure in-demand, high-paying jobs right in their community. Through the Better Skills. Better Jobs. initiative, we engage directly with adults who have earned some college credits but haven’t yet received a degree or certification. This initiative features community events, social media promotions, targeted digital marketing, and personalized resources to make it easier for adult learners to reconnect and re-enroll. Thanks to our collaborative efforts with the John M. Belk Endowment, myFutureNC, and several other state and local partners, we’re excited to launch this special outreach campaign to welcome even more adult learners back to college!
Better Skills. Better Jobs Link: https://betterskillsbetterjobs.com/halifax-community-college/
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