A Message from the President

As we begin a new year, Cape Fear Community College is off to a strong and promising start. We are encouraged by the momentum we are seeing across the college. Our Spring enrollment is up by 16%, a clear sign that our community continues to recognize the value of a CFCC education and the opportunities it creates for students and employers alike.

Affordability remains at the heart of our mission. We are committed to ensuring that cost is not a barrier for students pursuing their goals. Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps students can take to access financial aid, and our team is here to help every step of the way. In addition, CFCC offers a wide range of scholarships, including both general and program-specific awards, made possible through the generous support of our community and partners.

That same spirit of partnership is evident in the hands-on learning opportunities we continue to expand. We are proud to partner with Bayliss Boatworks through our boat-building and manufacturing programs, providing students with a unique opportunity to help build one of their boats while gaining real-world, industry-driven experience.

We are also excited to partner with Apple Annie's to offer a 12-week Baking and Pastry Fundamentals course held at their facility. This collaboration brings training directly into a working environment, allowing students to learn alongside professionals while preparing for in-demand careers in hospitality and baking.

Together, these successes reflect the strength of our community, our partnerships, and our shared commitment to student success. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead.

Jim Morton

CFCC President

In Case You Missed It

CFCC is launching a new partnership with local production house Honey Head Films to offer an eight-week screenwriting course this spring, taught by acclaimed writer and director Erika Arlee. The course gives aspiring filmmakers and writers hands-on experience developing narrative scripts while learning professional storytelling techniques in an immersive, real-world film environment.

A local dessert business, Sweet Time Snacks, is finding success in Wilmington thanks in part to support from CFCC's Small Business Center. Owner Sara Baker leveraged business planning guidance and community connections to establish a dedicated kitchen in the Cargo District, helping her custom wedding cake and dessert business continue to grow.

A new articulation agreement with Johnson & Wales University gives CFCC culinary, baking and pastry, and food-industry students clear pathways to transfer into bachelor's degree programs in applied food science and beverage entrepreneurship, and industry management. Eligible CFCC graduates with the required GPA and associate degree can now continue their education at a nationally recognized leader in culinary education.

A new three-part professional development series, From Skilled Expert to Effective Leader, will be offered at CFCC's downtown campus this February through April to help frontline supervisors and emerging leaders build practical people-management skills. The interactive workshops focus on improving communication, strengthening trust, and motivating teams, with registration required and limited seats available.

Featured Sea Devils

Trey Harris, a first-generation CFCC graduate who built a successful banking career in Wilmington, is returning to campus to give back. Harris will host a series of financial literacy workshops in Spring 2026 to help students build strong money-management skills and plan for their futures.

Three recent CFCC Graphic Design students - Josiah Nguyen, Gianna Decastri, and Jorge Rosales-Trochez - are supporting the Wilson Center's creative team, producing designs for social media, show posters, and digital displays. Their work highlights the real-world impact of CFCC's graphic design program and its connection to Wilmington's arts community.

Madison McClellan’s path from uncertainty to success began at CFCC, where she earned her associate degree before transferring to UNCW and launching a career in human resources. Now an HR Generalist, she is giving back by helping connect CFCC students to local apprenticeship opportunities.

Diana Good, a Wilmington native and CFCC dual-enrollment student, is graduating from both high school and CFCC this spring after discovering her passions in music and leadership through college courses and Civil Air Patrol. She is now pursuing opportunities at military academies and Honors Carolina while sharing how CFCC helped her grow personally and academically.

CFCC Graphic Design student Addison Brown is developing her artistic voice and building real-world skills through the college’s design program, where hands-on projects and industry connections are helping her grow creatively. Her experience highlights how CFCC supports students in finding their path as working artists.

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