Greetings!

At Halifax Community College, we often say that education is the foundation on which strong communities are built. Every day, I am reminded that our college is not only a place where learning happens. It is also where opportunity is created, partnerships grow, and lives change through workforce readiness and academic achievement. As we continue into a new year, I am proud to share several recent highlights that reflect the momentum, dedication, and community support that drive Halifax Community College forward.

These moments, faculty achievement, university collaboration, and student support, are more than announcements. They reflect what is possible when a community believes in education. Halifax Community College remains committed to preparing students for meaningful careers, providing accessible academic pathways, and partnering with organizations that strengthen our local workforce.

To our community, thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and belief in what our students and educators can accomplish. Together, we are building a stronger workforce, a brighter future, and a community where opportunity is within reach for all.

Dr. Patrena Elliott

President/CEO, Halifax Community College

NC State and HCC Collaboration through Wolfpack Connect

Articulation Agreement Signing

On January 5, 2026, NC State University and Halifax Community College celebrated Signing Day, marking a strengthened partnership and a shared commitment to expanding student pathways, deepening collaboration, and creating more opportunities for academic success.

Halifax County Early College Robotics Team Receives STEM East Grant

STEM East Representatives with Mr. Leo Malonzo (third from left)

STEM East, an initiative of NC East Alliance, proudly awarded Mr. Leo Malonzo of Halifax County Early College the STEM East Smart Manufacturing Student Engagement Grant! This $2,500 award will support the early college's FIRST North Carolina Robotics team through competition travel, equipment, and software, expanding hands-on robotics opportunities and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.

Incorporated in 2012, FIRST North Carolina is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing a high-quality FIRST Robotics Competition experience to every high-school student in North Carolina.

We proudly congratulate our Information Technology Instructor and IT Program Chair, Emily Worley, M.I.S., on successfully completing Stanly Community College’s NET-31008-2025 course and the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) training.

Earning both the certificate and digital badge, this achievement represents 70 hours of intensive training and reflects a continued commitment to professional growth and ensuring our IT students receive instruction aligned with current industry standards.

👏 Please join us in celebrating this outstanding milestone!

HCC's Kara Clary Leads Virtual Seminar for NC's Teaching & Learning Hubs

We proudly recognize Nursing Instructor Kara Clary for sharing her expertise with faculty across the state through North Carolina’s Teaching & Learning Hubs. On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Clary led a virtual seminar through the Central Hub titled “Excellence in Teaching: Escape from Passive Learning.” During the 30-minute session, she highlighted how she used active learning strategies in the Nursing classroom and offered practical techniques instructors could apply in their own courses. By the end of the seminar, participants identified actionable ways to develop and integrate active learning activities to strengthen engagement and improve student outcomes.

Established in 2021, North Carolina’s Teaching & Learning Hubs provided regionally based, faculty-led professional development designed to enhance teaching practices statewide. Serving all 58 community colleges through four regional hubs (East, West, Central, and Piedmont), the initiative offered sustainable, evidence-based learning opportunities for both full- and part-time faculty. Clary’s seminar showcased Halifax Community College’s continued commitment to teaching excellence and student success.

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/