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Greetings!
With spring bringing fresh energy and a sense of achievement, Halifax Community College proudly celebrates the many successes of our students, faculty, staff, and partners. This season symbolizes growth, resilience, and new opportunities, values that are clearly visible on our campus every day. Our campus community continues to thrive through engagement and connection. From student leadership celebrations to community partnerships and special moments with our youngest learners, these experiences reflect the vibrant and supportive environment that defines Halifax Community College.
We are also proud to share that Halifax Community College has been recognized as a 2026-2027 Military Friendly® School, a designation that underscores our commitment to serving those who have served our country and their families.
When we celebrate commencement, we celebrate not only the achievements of our graduates but also the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, partners, and community members who support student success every day. Thank you for being an essential part of the Halifax Community College family.
Together, we continue to build brighter futures for our students and strengthen the Roanoke Valley.
Dr. Patrena Elliott
President/CEO, Halifax Community College
| | Halifax Community College's Fifty-Ninth Annual Commencement | | Click the link above to watch the recording of the ceremony. | | North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Award recipient, Crystal Da’jusha Powell (Right), with Dr. Patrena B. Elliott, President/CEO of HCC (Center), and Dr. Julie Galvin, Dean of CTE and Health Sciences (Left). | | Keynote speaker, Deputy Chief Eddie Buffaloe, Jr., Administrative Services Division, Raleigh Police Department; Retired NC Public Safety Secretary. | | Student Response given by Christopher Creecy, HCC Student Trustee, HCC Student Government Association President, and Northampton County Early College & Associate in Arts Graduate. | | Class of 2026 collage of photos. | | |
On Friday, May 8, 2026, Halifax Community College celebrated the graduating Class of 2026 at its 59th Annual Commencement Ceremony held at the Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. Centre on campus.
The commencement address was delivered by Deputy Chief Eddie Buffaloe, Jr., Administrative Services Division of the Raleigh Police Department and retired North Carolina Public Safety Secretary. During his address titled “Stay in Drive,” Buffaloe encouraged graduates to continue moving forward with purpose, perseverance, and faith despite obstacles and uncertainty. Using the analogy of a vehicle's gears, he challenged students not to remain “parked” in comfort, trapped in “reverse” by past setbacks, or stuck in “neutral” through fear and hesitation, but instead to remain focused on growth, determination, and forward progress.
HCC commends the Class of 2026 for their achievements and wishes each graduate continued success in all future endeavors.
| | 2026 School of Health Sciences Pinning Ceremony | | 2026 School of Health Science Graduates | | |
Halifax Community College celebrated the achievements of students in its Dental Hygiene, Nursing, and Medical Laboratory Technology programs during the School of Health Sciences Pinning Ceremony held May 5, 2026. The ceremony recognized graduates as they transitioned from academic study into professional healthcare careers. Program directors Lisa Santiago, Sarah Harris, and Lonnie Barker each commended graduates for their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to serving others through healthcare.
Student representatives Harley Abrams, Anna Christmas, and Mindy DeGroff addressed attendees, expressing gratitude to family members, friends, classmates, and faculty for their support throughout their educational journeys. The graduates also reflected on the impact they hope to make in their future careers.
| | Nursing graduate Margaret Butcher received the Leadership Award and the Academic Excellence Award. | | Nursing graduate Natalie Wells received the Clinical Excellence Award. | | Dental Hygiene graduate Bineta Diop received the Colgate Star Award. | | Dental Hygiene graduate Shelby Connie-Inscoe received the Golden Scaler Award. | | Dental Hygiene graduate Crystal Cervantes received the Verna V. High Scholarship Award. | | Medical Laboratory Technology graduate Caleb Richardson received both the MLT Patriot Award and the Sue Tidrick Clinical Excellence Award. | | Former Dental Hygiene Program Director, Verna V. High. | | |
HCC Phlebotomy Students Complete Program | In alphabetical order: Brooke Boone, Deeshiara Boone, Balmoris Gonzalez, Emirrah Rodgers, Lakeithia Rook, Molly Ward, Cieshia Williams. | |
On April 5, 2026, Halifax Community College celebrated the accomplishments of its Phlebotomy students as they successfully completed their training program and prepared to begin careers in the healthcare field. Throughout the program, students demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and a strong commitment to learning the skills needed to provide quality patient care. Their achievement reflects countless hours of classroom instruction, hands-on practice, and determination to succeed.
Students completing the Phlebotomy Program for Spring 2026:
Brooke Boone
Deeshiara Boone
Balmoris Gonzalez
Emirrah Rodgers
Lakeithia Rook
Molly Ward
Cieshia Williams
The college congratulates the graduates on reaching this important milestone and looks forward to the positive impact they will make in healthcare settings throughout the region and beyond.
| | Chloe Morris Becomes First Halifax Academy Student to Complete Career and College Promise Pathway at HCC | Chloe Morris, pictured with her parents, Robbie and Leigh Morris, and her twin sister, Katie. | |
On April 21, 2026, Halifax Academy senior Chloe Morris was recognized at Halifax Community College’s 2026 Student Academic Excellence Awards and Recognition Ceremony for successfully completing the Career and College Promise Pathway. Chloe is the first Halifax Academy student to achieve this accomplishment.
Chloe’s academic journey is a testament to her dedication and perseverance. She has excelled in her coursework at both Halifax Academy and HCC, recently earning the distinction of valedictorian for the Halifax Academy Class of 2026.
In addition to her academic success, Chloe has balanced a part-time job at Drugco Express with active involvement in extracurricular activities, reflecting her strong work ethic and commitment.
This fall, Chloe plans to attend Campbell University to pursue a career in pharmacy.
Chloe is pictured with her parents, Robbie and Leigh Morris, and her twin sister, Katie.
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HCC Information Technology Student Earns $2,500 Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship | |
Halifax Community College is proud to recognize Information Technology student, Tyesha Humphrey, for receiving a $2,500 Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship. This scholarship supports students who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership, and a commitment to serving their communities.
Through the Remarkable Futures Scholarship program, $1,000, $2,500, and $25,000 scholarships are awarded each year to Team Members who work at a franchised, company-owned, or affiliated restaurant. The scholarships can be used at any accredited college, university, or technical or vocational school and are available to both full-time and part-time students.
| | Left to right: Dr. Levy Brown, VP of Academic and Student Success, Halifax Community College (HCC); Josh Whitlow, Executive Director, Chick-Fil-A; Mary Green, Grandmother of Tyesha Humphrey; Tyesha Humphrey; Emily Worley, M.I.S., Information Technology Instructor and IT Program Chair, HCC; Dr. Patrena Elliott, President of HCC/CEO; Dr. Julie Galvin, Dean of Career Technical Education (CTE) & Health Sciences at HCC; Dr. Jennifer Jones, Executive Director of the Halifax Community College Foundation. | | Left to right: Josh Whitlow, Executive Director, Chick-Fil-A; Tyesha Humphrey; and HCC; Dr. Patrena Elliott, President of HCC/CEO. | | 2026 Student Academic Excellence Awards & Recognition Ceremony | | |
On April 21, 2026, Halifax Community College proudly celebrated student success during its Student Academic Excellence Awards and Recognition Ceremony. The event recognized outstanding dedication, leadership, and academic achievement among HCC students.
Throughout the ceremony, college leadership and faculty recognized students across several categories. Shreail Hinton, Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Management, led the Career and College Promise Pathway Recognition, highlighting students who successfully completed early college coursework. Chrisola Ham, Social and Human Services Program Chair, presented the Student Academic Excellence Awards, honoring students for their exceptional academic performance.
Special recognition was given to students named to the President’s List and Dean’s List for their academic achievements. Gary Redding, Criminal Justice Program Chair and English Instructor, recognized President’s List students, while Sonya Robinson, Dean of Student Engagement and Support, acknowledged those named on the Dean’s List.
| | Northampton County Early College Students Earn Historic Selection to North Carolina Governor’s School | | Left to right: Eason Jiang, Danna Sanchez-Reyes, Erica Jiang, and Marilyn Lawrence, Principal of Northampton County Early College. | | |
On April 2, 2026, Northampton County Schools announced a historic achievement for Northampton County Early College, as three outstanding students were selected to attend the prestigious North Carolina Governor’s School this summer. This marks the first time in the district’s history that three students have been chosen for this highly competitive, state-funded program.
The selected students include Danna Sanchez-Reyes, Erica Jiang, Treasurer of the Halifax Community College Student Government Association, and Eason Jiang, Public Information Officer of the Halifax Community College Student Government Association. As Early College students, each is dually enrolled at Halifax Community College, where they are already demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to their future goals.
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HCC Student Government Association Bids Farewell to SGA President, Christopher Creecy | | | | |
Halifax Community College recently hosted “The Final Address,” a farewell celebration honoring SGA President Christopher Creecy. Held on April 24, the event brought together students, faculty, staff, and the community for a memorable sendoff at the Outdoor Pavilion and Lawn.
Attendees enjoyed food, music, games, and shared memories as they celebrated Christopher’s leadership and impact on campus. Hosted by the HCC Student Government Association, the event reflected the strong sense of community and appreciation for student leadership at HCC.
Congratulations to Christopher Creecy on a remarkable journey and best wishes for continued success in the future.
| | Inaugural TRIO Awards Gala group photo. | |
Halifax Community College celebrated student achievement at its Inaugural TRIO Awards Gala on April 29, 2026. The event brought together students, faculty, staff, and community members to recognize TRIO Student Support Services participants. Guests enjoyed a buffet dinner prepared by Carolina Oakhouse before hearing from keynote speaker Gary Redding, Halifax County Commissioner and Criminal Justice Technology Department Chair and Instructor at the college. The evening featured several moments of recognition, including Academy Recognition led by Christina Williams Debrew, Co-Founder of Innovative Networking Group, and Terry Ruffin of We Move Forward Educational Maintenance. The TRIO team also recognized graduating and transferring students, celebrating their persistence and success as they continue their educational journeys.
The gala also served as an opportunity to highlight the mission of TRIO Student Support Services, which provides academic support, guidance, and resources to help students meet college requirements and successfully complete their postsecondary education. The program focuses on increasing retention and graduation rates while supporting students as they progress through higher levels of education.
| | Jatayvian Thomas, Kameron Ashburn, Director of Student Support Services, Cindy Dunn, and Ny'Zaious Jones. | | | Faculty TRIO Champion Award recipient Ms. Chrisola Ham, Social & Human Service Instructor/Program Chair with Student Support Services Development Advisor, Laura Zollicoffer. | | Staff TRIO Champion Award recipient Ms. Vanessa A. Council, Director of Public Relations with Student Support Services (TRiO) Retention Specialist, Ashleigh Pincheon. | | Halifax Community College and East Carolina University Formalize Dental Hygiene Articulation Agreement | | Dr. Elliott, President/CEO of Halifax Community College, and Dr. Allison Danell, Dean of Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences at ECU. | |
Halifax Community College (HCC) and East Carolina University (ECU) formalized a new academic partnership during the ECU–HCC Dental Hygiene Articulation Signing Day held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Advanced Manufacturing and Corporate Training Center on HCC’s campus.
The event marked a significant step forward in expanding educational pathways for students pursuing careers in dental hygiene and related health sciences fields. The articulation agreement establishes a seamless transfer opportunity for HCC students to continue their education at ECU, strengthening the pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals across the region.
| | Mark Moss, DDS, PhD (East Carolina University), Dr. Elliott (President/ CEO of Halifax Community College), Dr. Allison Danell (Dean, Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences at ECU), Dr. Amy Shannon (Director of University Studies at ECU), Dr. Brown (VP of Academic and Student Success at HCC). | | Back Row: Larry Perkins (HCC Board of Trustees), Mark Moss, DDS, PhD (East Carolina University), Dr. Allison Danell (Dean, Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences at ECU), Amber Patterson, RDH (HCC Grad & Current Clinical Adjunct), Veronica Ramirez (HCC Dental Hygiene Student), Dr. Julie Galvin (Dean of CTE and Health Science at HCC), Shreail Hinton (Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Management at HCC), Dr. Brown (VP of Academic and Student Success at HCC); Front Row: Cormanica Crutchfield (CTE coordinator for Weldon City Schools), Robin Davis (Weldon City Schools), Dr. LaVonne McClain (Executive Director of Secondary Education for Halifax County Schools), Dr. Elliott (President/CEO of HCC), Dr. Amy Shannon (Director of University Studies at ECU), Shaniya Pernell (HCC Dental Hygiene Student), Lisa Santiago (HCC Dental Hygiene Program Director). | |
Halifax Community College Hosts Healthcare Day for Local High School Students | Healthcare Day group photo. | |
HCC welcomed students participating in the Careers Pathway Organization, sponsored by the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce, to campus on April 30, 2026, for Healthcare Day, an engaging and informative event designed to introduce students to careers in healthcare.
Co-sponsored by ECU Health North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids, NC, Healthcare Day provided students with the opportunity to explore HCC’s healthcare training programs, including Medical Laboratory Technology, Dental Hygiene, and Nursing. Throughout the day, students participated in guided tours and interactive, hands-on learning experiences led by faculty and staff, offering a firsthand look at the skills and knowledge required in each discipline.
| NC Community College System Board Member Visits Halifax Community College | | Left to right: Dr. Sinclair Nicholson, VP of Workforce Development & Operations; Ms. Renee Saunders, VP of Administrative Services/Chief Financial Officer (CFO); Dr. Patrena Elliott, President of Halifax Community College/CEO; Mr. Bill McBrayer, North Carolina Community College System Board Member; Dr. Julie Galvin, Dean of Career Technical Education (CTE) & Health Sciences; Dr. Jennifer Jones, Executive Director of the Halifax Community College Foundation, WIOA, & Special Events Coordinator; and Dr. Levy Brown, VP of Academic and Student Success. | | Mr. Bill McBrayer, North Carolina Community College System Board Member. | | Left to right: Dr. Sinclair Nicholson, VP of Workforce Development & Operations; Ms. Renee Saunders, VP of Administrative Services/CFO; Mr. Bill McBrayer, NCCCS Board Member; Dr. Julie Galvin, Dean of CTE & Health Sciences; Dr. Patrena Elliott, HCC President/CEO; Dr. Levy Brown, VP of Academic & Student Success; and Dr. Jennifer Jones, Executive Director of the HCC Foundation, WIOA, & Special Events Coordinator. | | |
On April 16, 2026, Halifax Community College welcomed North Carolina Community College System Board Member Mr. Bill McBrayer for a visit to campus. During his time at the College, Mr. McBrayer toured key facilities and met with college leadership to learn more about Halifax Community College’s programs, student success initiatives, and ongoing efforts to support workforce development in the Roanoke Valley.
Mr. McBrayer currently serves on several North Carolina Community College System committees, including as Chair of the Personnel Committee, Vice-Chair of the Programs and Student Success Committee, and as a member of the Accountability and Audit Committee.
| | Northampton County High School Students Complete OSHA 10 Training at HCC | | |
More than 30 students from Northampton County High School visited Halifax Community College on April 20 and April 22, 2026, to participate in a two-day OSHA 10 safety course hosted by the college’s Workforce Continuing Education department.
The experience offered students valuable, hands-on exposure to workplace safety concepts and industry expectations. Throughout the training, students remained actively engaged, participating in interactive activities led by Instructor Blackwell, which reinforced key safety principles and real-world applications.
This initiative highlights the strength of the ongoing partnership between Northampton County High School and Halifax Community College, focused on equipping students with practical skills and preparing them for success in the workforce.
| | Halifax Community College Earns 2026-2027 Military Friendly® School Designation | | |
Halifax Community College has earned the 2026-2027 Military Friendly® School Silver designation. Institutions earning the Military Friendly Schools® designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 3,200 companies participated in the Military Friendly® survey.
HCC will be showcased in the 2026-2027 Guide to Schools® in the April issue of Military Friendly G.I. Jobs ® magazine and on MilitaryFriendly.com.
Veterans, active duty service members, and their dependents may be eligible for various educational benefits to help finance their education. Halifax Community College’s Veterans Affairs office is here to assist you with any questions you may have. For more information about HCC’s student veteran programs, visit halifaxcc.edu/services-support/veterans-services.
| | Halifax Community College Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week | |
HCC celebrated its Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week from April 27 through May 1, 2026 with a series of daily events designed to recognize and thank employees for their dedication and impact. Held in Building 400, the week featured a variety of themed grab-and-go meals and snacks, giving faculty and staff opportunities to connect and enjoy time together.
The celebration began Monday morning with donuts, followed by a nacho bar on Tuesday and pizza on Wednesday during lunchtime hours. Thursday offered cookies in the morning, and the week concluded Friday with a coffee bar. Each day incorporated a lighthearted theme to express appreciation for the hard work and commitment of HCC employees.
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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/
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