Greetings!

As 2025 draws to a close, I am grateful for a year defined by growth, resilience, and renewed purpose at Halifax Community College. Each success, partnership, and achievement reflects our collective commitment to transforming lives through education and opportunity. I am appreciative of our faculty and staff's dedication to our students' success. As we welcome the new year, I encourage you to take the next step in your journey by starting fresh or reconnecting with us to finish what you started. Registration is now open for the Winter Term, which begins on December 1, 2025, and the Spring 2026 semester, which begins Monday, January 5. Together, let us embrace the promise of a new year and the opportunities it brings.

May the holiday season bring you peace, joy, and renewal, and may the year ahead be filled with purpose and continued success.

Dr. Patrena Elliott

President/CEO, Halifax Community College

It’s the Season of Giving! Phi Theta Kappa is collecting donations for the Northampton County Nursing & Rehab Center through Dec. 10, 2025.

Help make the holidays brighter by donating items like socks, lotion, blankets, stuffed animals, toothpaste, activity books, and more!

Drop off donations in Building 100:

• Mr. Redding’s Office (Room 215)

• Mrs. Divens’s Office (Room 205)

• Front Desk

Together, we can make a difference this holiday season!

#PhiThetaKappa #SeasonOfGiving #HCCcares

HCC’s Derrick L. Flood Honored for Excellence in Academic Librarianship by North Carolina Library Association

Mr. Derrick L. Flood, Director of Learning Resources at Halifax Community College

Mr. Derrick L. Flood, Director of Learning Resources at Halifax Community College (HCC), received an award for excellence in academic librarianship during the North Carolina Library Association (NCLA) Conference on October 16, 2025. Recognized for his forward-thinking approach, Mr. Flood has redefined the role of the Learning Resource Center at Halifax Community College. His strategic leadership, creativity, and commitment to student success have fostered a culture of collaboration and innovation that enhances how students, faculty, staff, and the community engage with learning resources.

First Citizens Bank Expands Educational Opportunity with $20,000 Scholarship Contribution

Left to Right: Dr. Jennifer Jones, Executive Director of the HCC Foundation; Kenny Deloatch, Senior Vice President of First Citizens Bank; and Dr. Patrena Benton Elliott, President of Halifax Community College

Halifax Community College is proud to announce a generous $20,000 donation from First Citizens Bank in Roanoke Rapids to support student scholarships. This investment will directly benefit the First Citizens Bank Scholarship, helping students overcome financial barriers, stay on track academically, and prepare for successful careers.

“We sincerely appreciate First Citizens Bank for their generous support,” said Dr. Jennifer Jones, Executive Director of the Halifax Community College Foundation. “Their commitment to education is creating life-changing opportunities for our students.”

The donation was presented by Kenny Deloatch, Senior Vice President of First Citizens Bank.

SGA Treasurer, Erica Jiang

Erica Jiang has been elected to serve as SGA Treasurer. A motivated and curious student who takes initiative, Erica is passionate about building a strong foundation for a future career in finance with aspirations of becoming an investment banker.

She views her role in SGA as an important first step toward achieving her goals and looks forward to contributing her ideas to support the growth and development of the HCC campus.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys swimming, shopping, and traveling.

SGA President, Christopher “CJ” Creecy



Christopher “CJ” Creecy, a dual-enrolled senior at Northampton County Early College and Halifax Community College, has been elected to serve as SGA President.

Known for his purpose-driven leadership and dedication to serving others, CJ is a student leader, worshipper, and entrepreneur whose mission is to cultivate an environment where every student feels valued and heard. He aims to strengthen unity, elevate student experiences, and lead with excellence, demonstrating that faith, focus, and forward thinking can positively transform a campus community.

SGA Public Information Officer, Eason Jiang

Eason Jiang, a junior at Northampton County Early College, will serve as the SGA Public Information Officer.

Eason is committed to ensuring effective communication across campus and providing students with timely, accurate information.

He intends to be a dedicated voice for the student body, helping collect and share feedback, ideas, and concerns with the SGA leadership team.

HCC Hosts 17th Annual Native American Heritage Month Celebration

Left to right: Mr. Tony Brown, HCC Board of Trustees; Mr. Earl Evans, Vice Chairman, Haliwa Saponi Tribal Council & Co-Chair of the National Congress of American Indians Federal Acknowledgement Task Force; Ms. Chenoa Richardson-Davis, Vice Chairwoman, Halifax County Board of Commissioners; Mr. Greg Richardson, Executive Director, NC Commission of Indian Affairs; Dr. Patrena Elliott, President of Halifax Community College; and Mr. Gabriel Esparza, Secretary of the NC Department of Administration

The Seventeenth Annual Native American Heritage Month Celebration was held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the HCC Fitness Trail. The event honored the rich culture, traditions, and contributions of Native American communities and featured an inspiring lineup of speakers and performers. Dr. Patrena Elliott, President/CEO of HCC welcomed attendees with reflections on unity, education, and the importance of cultural awareness. Tony Brown, representing the HCC Board of Trustees, extended greetings to the community.

The program’s featured speaker, Earl Evans, Vice Chairman of the Haliwa–Saponi Tribal Council, shared insights on heritage preservation and community leadership, following an introduction by Valerie West, Finance and Outreach Coordinator for the Nurse–Family Partnership. A special performance by the Haliwa–Saponi Youth Dancers, led by Amilia Berrun, 2025–2026 Miss Haliwa–Saponi Princess, added color and rhythm to the celebration, offering a glimpse into the artistry and tradition that continues to thrive across generations.

McDonald Scott, Jr., HCC’s Special Events Coordinator, provided closing remarks, expressing gratitude to all participants and attendees for supporting this long-standing campus tradition.

Special thanks were extended to HCC’s Event Planning Committee for coordinating this year’s event and helping the college continue its mission of promoting diversity, inclusion, and cultural appreciation across campus and the Roanoke Valley region.

Collage Above: Haliwa Saponi Dancers in regalia

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/