Greetings!

There is always a special sense of excitement at Halifax Community College as we begin a new academic year, and this fall is no exception. We began our preparations on August 17 with Convocation 2026, bringing faculty and staff together under the theme, “IGNITE 2026: Inspiring Excellence. Igniting Possibilities. Transforming Lives.” Throughout the day, we shared important College and divisional updates, participated in professional development and training, and reflected on HCC’s progress and future during my State of the College Address. Our Fall 2026 semester officially began on August 20, followed by our Welcome Week kickoff, Chillin’ and Grillin’ with the Prez, on August 24, giving us another opportunity to welcome students and build connections across campus. As August came to a close, I was honored to attend the retirement celebration for Chief Christopher Davis and present him with an HCC President's Award for his service to the Town of Weldon and HCC. 

Looking ahead, we are gearing up for the 17th Annual HCC Foundation Golf Tournament, another important opportunity to support our students and the mission of the College. You do not have to play golf to make a difference. Every contribution helps HCC provide opportunities and resources that promote student success, and I invite you to support HCC and our students. With a new semester underway and so much happening across our campus and community, I am encouraged by the energy surrounding HCC and excited about all that we will accomplish together this fall.



Dr. Patrena Elliott

President/CEO, Halifax Community College

HCC Nursing Celebrates Strong NCLEX Pass Rates for 2026 Graduates

HCC is celebrating the success of its 2026 nursing graduates following strong pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), an important milestone that prepares graduates to enter the healthcare workforce as licensed nurses.

The HCC Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Class of 2026 achieved a 96% NCLEX-RN pass rate, while the Practical Nursing (PN) Class of 2026 achieved a 94% NCLEX-PN pass rate.

“Our students work incredibly hard throughout their nursing education, and these pass rates demonstrate their commitment to becoming knowledgeable, skilled, and compassionate nurses,” said HCC Nursing Program Director Sarah R. Harris, MSN, RN. “We are proud to see our graduates reach this important professional milestone and excited to see them begin the next chapter of their careers serving patients and strengthening the healthcare workforce.”

HCC Kicks Off Fall Semester with Convocation 2026

Convocation 2026 Attendees

Samantha Godsey, Presidential Leadership Award recipient.

Lonnie Barker, Excellence in Teaching Award recipient.

Caroline Harris, Staff Award recipient and 15 years of service honoree.

Chief Emmett Smith, Spirit Award recipient.

Tammera Haskins, sister of Jason Bone, accepting his posthumous award for 37 years of service as the Industrial Systems Technology Instructor & Program Chair.

Kara Clary, Innovator Award recipient and 5 years of service honoree.

Laura Zollicoffer, Excellence in Academic Advising award recipient and 15 years of service honoree.

Valerie West, 5 years of service honoree.

Deborah Wray, 10 years of service honoree.

HCC faculty and staff came together on August 17 for Convocation 2026, officially kicking off the Fall 2026 semester under the theme, “IGNITE 2026: Inspiring Excellence. Igniting Possibilities. Transforming Lives.” Sessions included campus and divisional updates, annual security training, Title IX and legislative updates, and a State of the College Address from HCC President/CEO Dr. Patrena B. Elliott.

Convocation also provided a special opportunity to recognize HCC employees for their dedication and service to the College. Employees celebrating service milestones included Kara Clary and Valerie West, 5 years; Deborah Wray, Brandon Davis, Sabrina Freeman, Dr. Sinclair Nicholson, Maria Navarro, Larrell Lewis, Gary Redding, and Brandee Vaughan, 10 years; Lisa Santiago, Laura Zollicoffer, Caroline Harris and Tracie Buffaloe, 15 years; and James McCachren and Linda Smith, 25 years. Jason Bone was honored posthumously for 37 years of dedicated service to Halifax Community College. HCC also recognized retirees Linda Smith, with 25 years of service, and Charles Wilkinson, with 26 years of service, thanking them for their many years of commitment and contributions to the College.

The College also celebrated its 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipients: Thadd McElreath, Part-Time Excellence in Teaching; Laura Zollicoffer, Excellence in Academic Advising; Lonnie Barker, Excellence in Teaching; Chief Emmett Smith, Spirit Award; Samantha Godsey, Presidential Leadership; Caroline Harris, Staff Award; and Kara Clary, Innovator Award. These awards recognize employees whose commitment, leadership, creativity and dedication exemplify excellence and contribute to the success of HCC and its students.

Gary Redding, 10 years of service honoree.

Brandon Davis, 10 years of service honoree.

Sabrina Freeman, 10 years of service honoree.

Dr. Sinclair Nicholson, 10 years of service honoree.

Maria Navarro, 10 years of service honoree.

Brandee Vaughan, 10 years of service honoree.

Larrell Lewis, 10 years of service honoree.

Lisa Santiago, 15 years of service honoree.

Linda Smith, retiree, and 25 years of service honoree.

James McCachren, 25 years of service honoree.

2026 Harvest Pack Volunteers

Roanoke Valley Fights Hunger: Third Annual Harvest Pack Surpasses 100,000 Meals

The Roanoke Valley community came together once again to fight hunger during the 3rd Annual Harvest Pack on Saturday, August 22, at Halifax Community College’s Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. Centre. This year’s enthusiastic group of #HungerHeroes packed an impressive 40,320 meals, continuing a growing tradition of service and community impact.

Harvest Pack is a nonprofit hunger relief organization that brings volunteers together for hands-on meal-packing events designed to address food insecurity. The nutritious meals packed during these events are donated to nonprofit partners that distribute them to individuals and families in need. Harvest Pack works with communities across the country with the goal of putting healthy food on every table. Over the past three years, the Roanoke Valley Fights Hunger event has made an extraordinary impact. Volunteers packed 20,480 meals in 2024, followed by 41,600 meals in 2025 and 40,320 meals in 2026. Together, the community has now packed an incredible 102,400 meals through the annual event.

Left to Right: Brad Flemming, Harvest Pack Partnerships Manager; Shannon McAllister, Executive Director of The John 3:16 Center; and Jason Yeatts, Pastor of East Tenth Street Church, Roanoke Rapids.

Left to Right: McDonald Scott, Halifax Community College Special Events Coordinator; Dr. Jennifer Jones, Halifax Community College Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, President Emeritus of Halifax Community College; and Jordan Richardson, Halifax Community College PC Technician.

Left to Right: Jennifer Parrott, Operations Director for The John 3:16 Center; McDonald Scott, Halifax Community College Special Events Coordinator; Shannon McAllister, Executive Director of The John 3:16 Center; and Jason Yeatts, Pastor of East Tenth Street Church, Roanoke Rapids.

2026 Harvest Pack Volunteers

2026 Harvest Pack Volunteers

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/