Greetings!

As the summer temperature has fluctuated, our students' success has not. We have enjoyed celebrating with them as they have reached educational milestones. As we look ahead to the start of another exciting academic year, I am filled with anticipation for the opportunities that await our students and our community. Our Fall Semester begins on Thursday, August 20, and we are eager to welcome both new and returning students to campus. Whether they are beginning their college journey, advancing their career, or learning something new, our faculty and staff are here to support their success every step of the way. For anyone still considering their options for the fall, I encourage them to join us for Instant Admission Day on Tuesday, August 11. It's a convenient opportunity to apply, be accepted, meet with admissions and financial aid staff, and register for classes, all in one visit. We look forward to seeing them on campus this fall.

Dr. Patrena Elliott

President/CEO, Halifax Community College

State Budget Delivers Historic Investment in North Carolina Community College System

The North Carolina Community College System will see one of its largest funding increases in recent years under the state budget passed by the North Carolina General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Josh Stein, with new money aimed squarely at the workforce development that fuels the state’s economy. 

The FY2026-27 budget fully funds community college enrollment growth at $99 million and modernizes how the state pays for workforce programs, allocating $57.5 million in recurring funds to update the funding formula behind Propel NC — the System’s effort to align college funding with the high-demand fields driving North Carolina’s job market, from advanced manufacturing and healthcare to construction and information technology. 

For the faculty and staff behind that work, the budget provides a 3% salary increase, along with one-time bonuses of $1,750 for employees earning $65,000 or less and $1,000 for those earning more. 

Data-informed Transformation at Halifax Community College

This blog post is part of a series that celebrates the work of seven rural colleges that participated in ATD’s Building Resiliency in Rural Communities for the Future of Work initiative, first launched in 2020. Through coaching, tools, and peer learning opportunities, the initiative aimed to strengthen institutional capacity, foster a culture of evidence, advance equitable student success, align programs with workforce needs, and prepare students for careers in the digital economy.

HCC has recently transformed its advising model, an effort that began in 2020 with the college’s quality enhancement plan, which aimed to streamline and enhance the advising process on campus. After a comprehensive data-gathering process, HCC leadership and faculty made the choice to transition from a faculty advising model to a collaborative one that includes dedicated advising staff.

Summer 2026 Associate Degree Nursing White Coat Ceremony

Summer 2026 White Coat Ceremony Group Photo

HCC celebrated the next generation of nurses during its Summer 2026 White Coat Ceremony on Wednesday, July 8, recognizing Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) students as they advance to the second level of their nursing education. The ceremony welcomed students from the Traditional ADN, LPN-to-ADN, and Paramedic-to-ADN pathways, all of whom are expected to graduate in May 2027.

Three students were recognized with Clinical Excellence Awards for demonstrating exceptional clinical performance and dedication to patient care:

Cassandra Tapit – Traditional ADN Program

Molly Mumford – LPN-to-ADN Program

Rachel Hoggard – Paramedic-to-ADN Program

A total of 36 nursing students participated in this year's White Coat Ceremony, representing the Traditional ADN, LPN-to-ADN, and Paramedic-to-ADN programs.

Halifax Community College Celebrates Largest Practical Nursing Graduating Class at 2026 Pinning Ceremony

LPN Seal

Back Row, Left to Right: Hannah Johnson, Diatisha Langford, Lauren Freeman, Timeka Lynch, Anne Whitby, Bridget Stell, Lamont Gary, Beth Powell, Kristen Williams (Hollowell), Ian Todaro, and Lauren Wright; Front Row Left to Right: Vanecia Huggans, Rachel Bice, Emeralld Contee, Kaniyah Deloatch, Taylor Evans, and Amaya Pearson.

Keynote speaker, Quinlan Morgan, BSN, RN.

Patriot Award for Clinical Excellence recipient, Diatisha Langford.

Day Cohort Academic Excellence Award recipient, Ian Todaro.

Night Cohort Academic Excellence Award recipient, Lauren Wright.

HCC honored 18 Practical Nursing graduates during its Practical Nursing Pinning Ceremony on Tuesday, July 14, at the Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. Centre. The Pinning Ceremony marks the successful completion of the College's 11-month Practical Nursing Diploma Program and symbolizes each graduate's transition from nursing student to nursing professional. This year's graduating class represents the largest Practical Nursing cohort to complete the program since 2017, a milestone that reflects both the continued growth of HCC's nursing programs and the extraordinary dedication of its students. Graduates traveled from communities throughout eastern North Carolina, including Henderson, Warrenton, Aulander, Rocky Mount, Elm City, Jackson, and Halifax County, to pursue their nursing education at HCC.

Several students were recognized for outstanding academic achievement and clinical excellence during the ceremony.

Academic Excellence Awards

• Day Cohort: Ian Todaro 

• Night Cohort: Lauren Wright 

Patriot Award for Clinical Excellence

• Diatisha Langford 

The 2026 Practical Nursing graduates are Rachel Bice, Emeralld Contee, Kaniyah Deloatch, Taylor Evans, Lauren Freeman, Portia Gadson, Lamont Gary, Kristen Hollowell, Vanecia Huggans, Hannah Johnson, Diatisha Langford, Timeka Lynch, Amaya Pearson, Harriet (Beth) Powell, Bridget Stell, Ian Todaro, Anne Whitby, and Lauren Wright.

Halifax Community College President Reappointed to National AACC Commission

Dr. Patrena Elliott, President/CEO of Halifax Community College

The reappointment recognizes Dr. Elliott's continued leadership and commitment to advancing excellence in community college education on a national level. As a member of the commission, she will collaborate with community college leaders from across the country to provide guidance and recommendations that help shape professional development initiatives and strengthen leadership capacity throughout the nation's community colleges.

"I am honored to continue serving on the AACC Commission on Professional Learning and Leadership Capacity," said Dr. Elliott. "This opportunity allows me to collaborate with exceptional leaders from across the country while bringing innovative ideas and best practices back to Halifax Community College."

Halifax Community College Vice President of Academic and Student Success Appointed to National AACC Commission

Dr. Levy Brown, Vice President of Academic and Student Success at Halifax Community College

HCC is pleased to announce that Dr. Levy Brown, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, has been appointed to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Commission on Research, Data, and Strategic Narrative. His three-year appointment began July 1, 2026, and continues through June 30, 2029.

The AACC is the leading advocacy organization for the nation's community colleges, representing nearly 1,000 institutions and more than 10 million students. Through its commissions, AACC engages experienced higher education leaders to address emerging issues, develop national priorities, and advance innovation across the community college sector.

HCC Director of Distance Learning Attends Statewide Online Learning Innovations Summit

Left to Right: Margaret Rada, Senior Learning Consultant with Instructure; Dave Dick, Senior Learning Consultant II at Instructure; (Center) Nichole Pitchford, Director of Distance Learning at Halifax Community College; and Jaime Jackson, Learning Consultant at Instructure. 

HCC's Director of Distance Learning, Nichole Pitchford, recently participated in the 2026 North Carolina Community College System Online Learning Innovations Summit, held June 16–18 at Cross Creek Country Club in Mount Airy. The annual event brought together faculty, instructional leaders, and higher education professionals from all 58 North Carolina community colleges to explore emerging trends and innovations in digital teaching and learning.

"The Online Learning Innovations Summit provided valuable insight into the future of digital education and reinforced the importance of creating engaging, accessible learning environments for our students," said Pitchford.

As part of a statewide initiative, the North Carolina Community College System selected Canvas to provide a unified learning management system across all 58 community colleges. The transition is intended to create greater consistency, collaboration, and sustainability while enhancing the teaching and learning experience for faculty and students statewide. More details and FAQs can be found on the system office's Transition to Canvas website: NCCCS Transition to Canvas LMS.

HCC Foundation's 17th Annual Golf Tournament

The HCC Foundation will host its 17th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Chockoyotte Country Club in Weldon, North Carolina. The event serves as the Foundation’s signature fundraising initiative and directly supports student success at Halifax Community College. Participants from across the region are invited to enjoy a day of fellowship, friendly competition, and community support while helping advance educational opportunities for HCC students. The tournament will begin with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start at Chockoyotte Country Club, located at 800 Country Club Road in Weldon.

The HCC Foundation extends special appreciation to Cummins, the 2026 Title Sponsor, for its continued commitment to education and workforce development in the community.

Funds raised through the annual tournament help provide resources and support that enhance the student experience and strengthen the College’s mission of transforming lives through education, workforce training, and community engagement.

“We look forward to welcoming golfers, sponsors, and community partners for another outstanding tournament that supports the success of our students,” said Dr. Jennifer Welch-Jones, HCC Foundation Executive Director.

Registration is now open. Participants may register and submit payment online by visiting: www.halifaxcc.edu/give/hcc-foundation. 

For more information about the tournament or sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Halifax Community College Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Welch-Jones, at (252) 536-7280 or jjones435@halifaxcc.edu.

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/