Central Piedmont Returns for Year Five of 'All Within My Hands' Metallica Scholars Initiative

For the fifth-consecutive year, Central Piedmont Community College will participate in the Metallica Scholars Initiative and receive $5,000 in funding to support its career and technical education programs.

Central Piedmont student in scrubs and a mask works in a lab with vials and test tubs. Funded by Metallica's All Within My Hands foundation (AWMH), in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) was created in 2018 to fundamentally improve the earning potential for students who become Metallica Scholars.

Central Piedmont will continue to use the generous grant funds to provide direct support for students enrolled in healthcare career programs who need financial assistance to complete their studies and become licensed healthcare professionals. Central Piedmont seeks to ensure all graduating healthcare students have funding to pay for their licensure/certification exams so they can quickly enter the workforce fully licensed/certified.

The MSI workforce initiative marks its fifth year with an ambitious expansion into new curricula. MSI now directly supports 42 community colleges across 33 states, and by the end of 2023, it will have helped more than 6,000 students pursuing careers in the trades. To date, Metallica and AWMH have invested more than $6 million in the American workforce.
"The Metallica Scholars Initiative is a strong and cooperative assemblage of the nation's best community colleges, creating a supportive climate for participants to communicate directly and share best practices," said Peter Degrosso, AWMH executive director. "As a result, our Metallica Scholars leave the program well-trained and confident. Ultimately, the impact is felt locally and nationally as Metallica Scholars enter the workforce and fill in-demand technical positions."


Learn more about the Metallica Scholars Initiative at Central Piedmont.

Learn more about Central Piedmont's healthcare career programs.
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Posted in Announcements, Foundation News, Resources, Scholarships, Students. Tagged as scholarships.

Shawn Abney Named 2023 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar

Central Piedmont Community College proudly announces that Shawn Abney has been named one of the 213 Phi Theta Kappa members to become a 2023 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar. Abney, a distinguished student at the community college, will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program is designed to help new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while they pursue their associate degrees. This year's scholars were selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential from nearly 1,100 applications.

$213,000 will be awarded this year through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is providing $200,000 in funding, with an additional $25,000 set aside specifically for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, earmarked for international students through the Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships.

Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, said, "The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges. We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow's leaders of the global community."

The funds aid in college completion and allow students to engage in Society programs, enabling them to develop vital leadership skills for future roles in their communities.

Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, noted, "Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers. The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn't an obstacle to achieving their academic goals."

Central Piedmont Community College congratulates Shawn Abney and all other Leaders of Promise Scholars on this exceptional achievement and wishes them continued success in their educational pursuits.

For more information, visit the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program.

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Posted in Announcements, Foundation News, Resources, Scholarships, Students. Tagged as scholarships.

Central Piedmont to provide customized training for Siemens Energy, Boingo Graphics

Central Piedmont Community College will provide customized training for employees of two Mecklenburg County companies Siemens Energy and Boingo Graphics through funding from North Carolina's customized training program.

The N.C. Community College System's Customized Training Program offers training services and specialized programs to assist new and existing businesses and industries to remain productive and profitable in North Carolina.

Siemens Energy will receive approximately $131,800 in training value from Central Piedmont. The college will support the company with its onboarding of new employees, including orientation, metrics and metrology, safety, customer and business focus, computer training, and continuous improvement.

Boingo Graphics will receive approximately $22,00 in training value. The college will provide leadership and customer service training.

Central Piedmont's Corporate Learning Center is the college's single point of contact for serving the wide range of learning and development needs of businesses and organizations in Mecklenburg County, including customized training. The college's span of learning, expertise, and experience make Central Piedmont a uniquely positioned workforce development resource to help local companies meet their performance and growth goals.

To talk with a Corporate Learning Center team member, call 704.330.4660 or visit www.cpcc.edu/clc.

Earlier this year, the college announced customized training partnerships with RGA Enterprises and IPEX USA.

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Posted in Announcements, Community, Foundation News. Tagged as custom training, workforce development.

Nursing Student Awarded Hurst Review NCLEX® Scholarship

Mariam Idris, a dedicated Nursing student and active Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) member at Central Piedmont Community College has been announced as a recipient of the prestigious Hurst Review NCLEX® Scholarship. Idris is among the twelve exceptional students from across the nation who have been honored with this scholarship.Photo of Central Piedmont nursing student Mariam Idris standing at a podium

The Hurst Review NCLEX® Scholarship, generously funded by Hurst Review Services, a prominent exam preparation company, is designed to support nursing majors affiliated with Phi Theta Kappa preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX®). As part of this scholarship, recipients will receive comprehensive NCLEX® study materials and a cash award that covers the expenses associated with the NCLEX® exam fees.

Central Piedmont Community College takes immense pride in its Nursing program, which boasts a history dating back to 1965, making it the oldest nursing program in the North Carolina Community College System. Over the last five decades, the program has continually evolved and expanded to the evolving needs of the healthcare industry and the college student community.

The program's consistent success is exemplified by the outstanding achievements of its nursing graduates. In 2022, Central Piedmont nursing graduates who earned The Christa A. Overcash Associate Degree in nursing exhibited an impressive 92% employment rate and an exceptional 98% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN certification exam.

The Central Piedmont nursing program holds full approval from the NC Board of Nursing and accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Mariam Idris' selection as a recipient of the Hurst Review NCLEX® Scholarship is a testament to her exceptional dedication and academic prowess. The scholarship recognizes her hard work and commitment and acknowledges the outstanding quality of Central Piedmont's Nursing program.

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Posted in Announcements, Foundation News, Students. Tagged as nursing, scholarships.

Central Piedmont Sporting Clays Classic Raises Over $190K

Central Piedmont Sporting Clays ClassicThe Central Piedmont Sporting Clays Classic benefits the College's U.S. military veteran and first responder students and programs, and 2023 marked the 19th year of the event's history. The event was once again held at Meadow Wood Farm in Waxhaw, NC.

After a bit of a rain scare, the sky cleared up for a beautiful April day of sport, community, and conversation. 

The College raised nearly $193K through the support of corporate sponsors, team registrations, raffle tickets, and donations. We are especially grateful for the support of our tournament sponsors: Piedmont Natural Gas (Clay Pigeon Challenge), Juneberry Ridge (First Responders Cup), and Concrete Supply and Rodgers (B.D. Rodgers Cup)

Almost 300 participants joined us for the day-long event featuring 17 stations including a Frenzy and a Flurry - which proved key in providing the tie-breaker for two of the tournaments. Our winners for the day's event are below:

B.D. Rodgers Cup: Individual
1st Place: Chris Dorton | 44 (Streak of 31)
2nd Place: Gerald Tucker | 44 (Streak of 17)
3rd Place: Page Tucker | 43

B.D. Rodgers Cup: Team Champion
Rodgers | 212: Taylor Miles, Jason Money, Paige Tucker, Gerald Tucker

Clay Pigeon Challenge: Individual
1st Place: Carter Loetz | 43 (Streak of 18)
2nd Place: Thomas Hovis | 43 (Streak of 17)
3rd Place: Tim Hileman | 42

Clay Pigeon Challenge: Team
1st Place: Pinnacle Financial | 205: Tim Hileman, Paul Cochrane, Greg Everhart, Lain Reavis
2nd Place: Warco Construction | 199: Thomas Hovis, Austin Claytor, Drew Rochester, TM
3rd Place: Piedmont Natural Gas | 177: Randy Bost, Jeremy Koster, Carl Peterson, Brad Holbrook

First Responders Cup: Individual
1st Place: William Wallis | 50
2nd Place: Mike Small | 45
3rd Place: Hunter Hampton | 44 (Streak of 22)Headshot of Dale Thomas

First Responders Cup: Team
1st Place: MEDIC | 223: William Wallis, John Gibson, Bill Ward, Janet Geradot
2nd Place: CMPD | 215 (Flurry 39): Curt Bell, Gene Rivera, Mark Smith, Bill Booth
3rd Place: CFD #1 | 215 (Flurry 32): Mike Small, Derek Alexander, Jason Cloninger, Mike Stroup

The two Janet Chernaga award winners were Deborah Edwards (morning) and Janet Gerdot (afternoon).

Over lunch, the guest speaker, Dale Thomas (pictured right), inspired the audience with his story of trials and triumphs. Dale Thomas served in the U.S. Army for four years as an Infantryman at Ft. Hood, Texas. He graduated from Central Piedmont last week with an Associate of Applied Science in Human Services Technology.  Dale plans to utilize his education in Human Services to empower, advocate, and bring awareness to marginalized populations, such as helping those with disabilities and veterans. You can read more of his story here. We look forward to seeing how far he'll go!

We are so grateful to all those who supported this event, be it as a sponsor, a team, a volunteer, or a vendor. Thank you. 

View pictures from this year's event here.

Stay tuned for information on how you can support the 20th-anniversary event.

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Posted in Announcements, Events, Foundation News. Tagged as event, sporting clays classic.

Central Piedmont Holds Spring 2023 Commencement

Central Piedmont Community College held its 2023 spring commencement ceremonies on Thursday, May 11, in Charlotte. Approximately 900 students "marched" and received their college credentials during the morning and afternoon ceremonies. More than 1,500 students were eligible to graduate.

During the morning festivities at the Bojangles Coliseum, Maria "Fernanda" Moreno Tovar, a 2023 graduate, addressed her peers by delivering the commencement address. RaeDeja Sawyer, also a 2023 graduate, spoke at the afternoon ceremony. It has become Central Piedmont's tradition to have graduating students serve as commencement keynote speakers. Both Maria and RaeDeja were graduating with associate in arts degrees.

Maria shared her experiences and challenges as an immigrant from Mexico. She concluded her address by saying, "As I am standing here today, I am confident that Central Piedmont gave me the right tools to continue chasing my academic goals. I am also confident that just like mine, your struggle can make magic if you take the leap of faith."

RaeDeja recounted how she had lost loved ones during her time at Central Piedmont and how the college provided her much needed support. "This journey has been charged with intense emotion. I have experienced elevating highs and depleting lows, but seeing it through has been most valuable and unforgettable. And the truth is, graduation today does not mark the end of our studies, nor does it mark the end of deadlines, decisions, or expectations," she explained.

Students graduating from Central Piedmont with a degree, diploma, or certificate had the option of participating in either the morning or afternoon ceremony. Central Piedmont combined its for-credit and non-credit program conferrals into both ceremonies, giving graduates the choice to "walk" at the time that best fits their families' schedule.

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Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Foundation News, Students. Tagged as graduation.

Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer included in the ‘Power List’

Central Piedmont Community College President Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer has been recognized as a member of Business North Carolina magazine's 2023 Power List.

According to Business North Carolina, "the annual report on the state's most influential business leaders is divided into 18 categories. These are the power brokers with an extraordinary ability to lead their enterprises and influence North Carolina's direction."

Deitemeyer is one of only two community college presidents included in the 2023 list.

Review the Education Power List 2023

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Posted in Announcements, Faculty/Staff, Foundation News. Tagged as Dr. Deitemeyer.

Lisa Schlachter to Join Central Piedmont as Vice President of Institutional Advancement

LIsa SchlachterLisa Schlachter of Charlotte will join the leadership team at Central Piedmont Community College as the new Vice President of Institutional Advancement. Schlachter will serve the college as its chief fundraising officer and as director of the Central Piedmont Foundation.

 

Schlachter comes to Central Piedmont from the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, where she serves as vice president of financial development. She has more than two decades of experience in fundraising and alumni relations. She began her career in alumni relations at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and she held several roles at Belmont University including capital, donor relations, foundation relations, and stewardship. 

 

"We are delighted to welcome Lisa Schlachter to Central Piedmont," said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, college president. "Lisa brings a deep connection to our community through her great work at the YMCA. With her previous experience in higher education and the energy and passion she possesses, she will be a wonderful addition to our team."

 

In addition to earning a master's degree in institutional advancement from Vanderbilt University, she worked on Vanderbilt's Alumni and Development team. She also served as the assistant head of school for advancement at St. Paul Christian Academy in Nashville, Tenn., where she led the annual campaign, a capital campaign, and major gifts. 

 

"We are very excited about Lisa Schlachter joining Central Piedmont as its new Vice President of Institutional Advancement," said Weston Andress, Central Piedmont Foundation board president. "Lisa's energetic personality and her experience at the YMCA of Greater Charlotte and other non-profits will help take Central Piedmont's already successful advancement efforts to a new level."

 

Central Piedmont completed its "Powering a Stronger Future" campaign in June 2022. It was the most ambitious and successful campaign in the college's history, raising $66.3 million and surpassing its goal by more than $26 million.

 

In addition to her master's degree from Vanderbilt, Schlachter earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She will begin her tenure at Central Piedmont on May 5.

 

"I am thrilled to return to higher education as a member of the Central Piedmont Community College leadership team, and I am eager to combine my passion for education with my commitment to serve our community through this role," Schlachter said. "It is very exciting to come in following an extremely successful campaign and build on the college's reputation of strong community service and support."

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Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Community, Faculty/Staff, Foundation News.

Central Piedmont Honors Leon Levine

We honor, celebrate, and remember the life and legacy of Leon LevineCentral Piedmont Community College celebrates, honors, and remembers the life of Leon Levine, who died April 5, 2023, at age 85.

At age 22, Levine started the first Family Dollar store on Central Avenue in Charlotte, and built the company on the value of customer service, expanding to thousands of stores and nationwide success. In 1980, Levine, along with his wife Sandra, turned his attention to philanthropic efforts through the Leon Levine Foundation.

Levine's life and legacy in our Charlotte community was one of great philanthropy to education, healthcare, Jewish families, and children, among many other entities bearing their name. At Central Piedmont, the 2002 gift from the Levines was the largest the college had received to date, prompting a campus to be renamed in their honor.

Their generosity did not stop there, as Levine Campus continued to expand, student scholarships were endowed, and Central Campus dedicated two more buildings: the Levine Information Technology building, and most recently, the Leon Levine Health Sciences Center. The Levine Health Sciences Center creates state-of-the-art learning environments with hospital simulations and virtual anatomy classrooms, and is the home base to Central Piedmont's newest healthcare programs.

Levine's legacy lives on, not just in the buildings, but in the lives forever changed by education, as students become healthcare professionals and leaders in our region. We honor Levine for the positive impact he made through the entire Charlotte community, and to all the students supported at Central Piedmont through his decades of generosity.

Nov. 2002: South Campus renamed and dedicated as Levine Campus
Sept. 2004: Levine II opened
Nov. 2014: Levine Information Technology building dedicated at Central Campus
Jan. 2017: Levine III opened
Oct. 2021: Leon Levine Health Sciences building opened and dedicated at Central Campus

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Posted in Announcements, Community, Foundation News. Tagged as donors, levine campus.

EdNC.org: Central Piedmont Community College wants to create opportunity

by Hannah McClellan, EdNC.org

The summer after Tyler Jackson graduated from high school, he took two college courses through Central Piedmont Community College's
Summer Bridge program, meant to help students successfully transition from high school to college.

After one of the orientation sessions Jackson attended, a college staff member dismissed all participants but the "opportunity scholars." Jackson was not an opportunity scholar at the time and he knew little about the program, but he was curious, so he decide to stay behind and learn more. That decision led to Jackson applying for and eventually receiving the scholarship he says changed his life.

"Central Piedmont has opened so many doors," Jackson said in a college promotional video. "They cared more about who I was as a person. Being able to go to school without having to worry about the cost I'm just grateful."

Jackson is one of nearly 400 opportunity scholars Central Piedmont Community College has served since it launched the program in 2017, according to college data last fall. Through the Opportunity Scholarship, students underrepresented in college receive funding to fully cover tuition, books, and fees for two years. In addition, these students receive a notebook computer and access to one-on-one academic coaching for career planning, internships, and job placement.

This support was key for his success, said Jackson, who graduated with an associate of arts degree in December. During the start of the pandemic and remote learning, college staff members kept him from "falling through the cracks."

"It's been a long time coming," he told EdNC. "And my experience has been amazing. I've always felt welcome. Especially being an opportunity scholar, that opened up so many more doors being able to sit in different meetings, visit different places, and being able to have exposure to these things I wouldn't have probably had if I wasn't an opportunity scholar."

The total number of Opportunity Scholarships offered per year varies based on available funding provided by local donors, the college's website says. You can learn more about the scholarship and how to apply here. You can learn about N.C. Community College System (NCCCS) scholarships here.

'What community college can do'

Many community college students some of them adult learners, low income, or first-generation college-goers experience various barriers that can make academic success more difficult. In recent years, North Carolina community colleges have increasingly added support to help their students stay in college

Community college leaders say meeting the financial, transportation, and child care needs of students helps them complete their programs.

About 48% of N.C. Community College students complete a degree or credential in six years, based on 2022 data from myFutureNC. That rate is lower for students ages 21-24 (38%), Black students (30%), and part-time students (20%). 

In comparison, nearly 150 opportunity scholars have graduated from Central Piedmont since 2017. That's a 53% completion rate for cohorts through 2020-21, each before the six-year completion target used by myFutureNC. This success rate is in spite of the fact that many opportunity scholars face more barriers to completion compared to the general community college population. The majority of scholars in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 cohorts can graduate starting this year.

Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president at Central Piedmont, said the Opportunity Scholarship is one of many ways the college is working to expand its impact on students, the economy, and the wider community.

Central Piedmont adds $827.7 million to the economy each year, according to a recent economic impact study, and supports 11,274 jobs. For every dollar students invest in their education at Central Piedmont, they gain $3.80 in lifetime earnings.

"The college helps students increase their employability and achieve their individual potential," Deitemeyer said in a release. "Central Piedmont provides students with the education, training, and skills they need to have fulfilling and prosperous careers that provide real economic mobility."

Dr. Deninne Pritchett, the college's chair of psychology, understands that economic mobility well.

Pritchett first started college as a teen mother, at 18. She dropped out of college four times and once from Central Piedmont before returning to successfully graduate from the college in 2010 with an associate degree in art.

"When I arrived at Central Piedmont, there was something different here," she said. "Even the first time when I didn't stay, there was something different, which led me to come back."

Pritchett, who went on to earn a doctorate in psychology, is now the creator of the Adjunct Faculty Learning Community and facilitator for the Diversified Teaching Practices Learning Commons at the college. She also earned an American College and University Educators (ACUE) Advanced Certificate for Teaching Effectiveness and is a featured expert in an ACUE course on learner-centered, equitable teaching practices. 

"It just seems like this is what I'm supposed to be doing, because this is where my foundation was set," Pritchett said. 

Today, in addition to teaching students psychology, Pritchett aims to make them feel welcomed, understood, and empowered. 

She believes that one interaction can change everything, because for her, it did. The last time she enrolled at Central Piedmont, it was a kind financial aid advisor who made her believe in herself.

"I'm a representative of what community college can do for you," Pritchett said. "It's like a full-circle moment that I don't sit high and look low, this is a partnership for me to support students to get wherever they want to get to, whatever that goal is."

For Tyler Jackson, his goal of graduating college expanded to studying abroad while at Central Piedmont and joining student government goals he achieved without stressing about money, thanks to the scholarship program. After graduating with his associate degree debt-free, he feels well-positioned to pursue a bachelor's degree in business and media at UNC Charlotte. In the meantime, he's applied to be a substitute teacher at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, in addition to working at his production company and promoting his film, "LoverBoy The Movie." He's also dreaming about becoming a full-time entertainer acting, filmmaking, and directing or a professor in the arts.

For him, programs like the Opportunity Scholarship are important because they help first-generation and low-income students "seek better" for themselves. Today, he also works as a tutor coordinator at TRIO, Upward Bound the program that initially connected him to Central Piedmont's Summer Bridge program where he aims to be like the mentors he found at Central Piedmont to younger students.

Jackson is grateful for where he is following graduation and is excited for his future and his career. But, what if he decides to pursue something completely different? 

"I can also always come back to Central Piedmont," he said. "It's a place where I've always felt at home."

Republished with permission from https://www.ednc.org/central-piedmont-community-college-wants-to-create-opportunity/. Read more

Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Foundation News, Resources, Scholarships, Students. Tagged as opportunity scholarship.

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