Greetings!

As the beauty of spring unfolds across our campus and throughout the Roanoke Valley, we are reminded of the season’s powerful symbolism of growth, renewal, and new beginnings. At Halifax Community College, these themes are reflected daily in the achievements of our students, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the continued support of our community.

Spring is an especially meaningful time at the College, as it marks both the culmination of hard work and the promise of what lies ahead. Our students are preparing to reach an important milestone, and we are proud to celebrate their perseverance, resilience, and commitment to their educational journeys.

I am pleased to invite you to join us for Halifax Community College’s 59th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. Centre on our campus. Commencement is a cherished tradition and a moment of great pride for our graduates, their families, and our entire community. It is a time to honor accomplishments, reflect on progress, and look forward to the bright futures that await our students.

HCC remains committed to expanding opportunity, strengthening partnerships, and serving as a catalyst for growth and success across our region. Thank you for your continued support of Halifax Community College and for being an integral part of our story.

Dr. Patrena Elliott

President/CEO, Halifax Community College

Halifax Community College Recognized by Achieving the Dream as a 2026 Leader College

Halifax Community College has been designated a 2026 Leader College by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility.

Leader Colleges are recognized for meaningful progress in expanding access; improving early momentum metrics, such as retention; advancing relevant student success strategies with evidence of implementation and early results; and growing institutional capacity through culture and capacity-building efforts. 

 Halifax Community College has been part of the ATD Network since 2020.

President’s and Dean’s List for Summer and Fall 2025

To qualify for President's List students must have met all criteria outlined below:

1.    A student must have a 4.0 term GPA.

2.    Be enrolled full-time at the end of the semester (at least 12 credit hours) and earn all A's in all subjects for the semester.

3.    Not be enrolled in any transitional or co-requisite courses (no course numbers below 100) and have no "Incomplete Grades" for the semester.

To qualify for Dean's List students must have met all criteria outlined below:

1.    A student must have a 3.25 – 3.99 term GPA.

2.    Be enrolled full-time at the end of the semester (at least 12 credit hours).

3.    Not be enrolled in any transitional or co-requisite courses (no course numbers below 100) and have no "Incomplete Grades" for the semester.

ECU Health EastCare Visits Halifax Community College to Provide Hands-On Learning Experience for Nursing Students

Front row, kneeling: Lt. Col. Charlie Mauzé, EastCare Pilot & Chris Aycock, Flight Paramedic; Front row, standing: Kristin Holloman, Flight Nurse; Back row: (Second Level Associate Degree Nursing Students, Left to Right) Tatiana Provorov, Sara Wade, Kyle Roberson, John vonRosenberg, Hailey Whitby, John Page, Maddy Bryant, Maggie Butcher, Harley Staton, Philip Clayton, Kristen Rowe, Paul Pearce, Abigail Smith, Natalie Medlin, Heather Carter, Jade Pineda-Cruz, Kaylee Berwick, Ashleigh Edwards, Mindy DeGroff, Alexis Kearney, Michael Fox, Shannon Ridout, Trina Yeldell, Natalie Wells, Kennedy Hathaway, Katherine Lewis, Maeghan Cruz, Brittany Johnson, Erica Richardson, Alexis Fox, Rita Gonzalez.

On March 24, 2026, Halifax Community College (HCC) welcomed representatives from ECU Health EastCare, a critical care air and ground transportation service, to campus to engage with the Second Level Associate Degree Nursing Students. The visit provided students with a unique opportunity to explore advanced emergency medical transport and learn about career pathways in the field.

During the visit, the EastCare team showcased its specialized equipment and discussed the critical role of air and ground transport in delivering life-saving care. Students gained firsthand insight into how medical crews responded to emergencies, stabilized patients, and provided advanced care during transport to medical facilities.

Front row: Natalie Medlin & Alexis Kearney; Middle row: Maeghan Cruz, Ashleigh Edwards, Kaylee Berwick, Heather Carter, & Jade Pineda-Cruz; Back row: Trina Yeldell

Katherine Lewis, Mindy DeGroff, Jade Pineda-Cruz, Trina Yeldell, Michael Fox, Ashleigh Edwards, Natalie Medlin.

Halifax Community College Students Selected for Northeast 4-H District Leadership Roles

Matthew Daughtry (left) and Cameron Byrd (right)

Halifax Community College proudly recognizes two outstanding student interns from the Learning Resource Center, Cameron Byrd and Matthew Daughtry, for their recent selection to leadership positions within the Northeast 4-H District.

Cameron Byrd, a junior at Roanoke Valley Early College, has been selected to serve as Secretary/Treasurer for the Northeast 4-H District. Matthew Daughtry, a sophomore at Northampton County Early College, has been selected as Member Engagement Officer. Both students will be formally inducted into their respective roles in July 2026.

HIRED: Career & Service Fair

Halifax Community College proudly hosted its Hired: Career & Service Fair on March 18, bringing together employers, students, job seekers, and community members for a day focused on opportunity, connection, and workforce development.

Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with employers, explore career pathways, and learn about job and internship opportunities across a wide range of industries. The fair served as a valuable platform for strengthening connections between education, workforce training, and regional employment needs.

Halifax Community College extends its sincere appreciation to all participating vendors for their commitment to supporting workforce development and investing in the future of our students and community. The College also thanks the many job seekers and students who attended with enthusiasm and purpose, as well as the dedicated faculty and staff whose efforts made the event possible.

Events like the Hired: Career & Service Fair reflect Halifax Community College’s ongoing effort to empowering individuals, supporting local employers, and building a stronger, more vibrant workforce across the Roanoke Valley.

GEAR UP North Carolina Highlights Dr. Patrena B. Elliott for Women's History Month

GEAR UP NC launched a series titled "HER Impact: The Trailblazing Women Shaping Higher Education in the North Carolina Community College System." In recognition of Women's History Month in March, Dr. Elliott, president of HCC, and Dr. Janet N. Spriggs, president of Forsyth Technical Community College, were honored in this series. The series highlights all the female presidents of community colleges in North Carolina.

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/