6:00 PM - 7:00 PM in the Pre-function Area featuring the Fayetteville Technical Community College Jazz Ensemble, Surry Community College wine tasting, and great networking. 

*Appetizers:

• Pork Belly with corn bread, pickled okra, mustard BBQ
• Chicken & Waffle with jalapeno maple syrup, mustard
• Crab Cake with remoulade, preserved lemon, capers
• Edamame Hummus (vegan) with black rice crisp, radish salad

7:00 PM -  9:00 PM in the Ballroom featuring a delicious, three-course meal and inspirational awards program with two networking breaks and musical interludes from the Triangle String Quartet.

*Three course meal: 

• First Course | Salad: Garden Fresh Salad with tender young lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, crisp radishes, pickled red onions, shaved asiago, with aged sherry vinaigrette.
• Second Course | Entrée: Herb-Roasted Chicken Breast with creamy thyme polenta, southern field peas, and a rich chicken jus - or - Charred Garden Zucchini with lush tomato compote, creamy goat cheese, toasted pine nuts, and vibrant pesto.
• Third Course | Dessert: Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Bombe with velvety salted caramel, crunchy hazelnut croquant, topped with anise-flavored chantilly cream.

Wells Fargo, North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents, John M. Belk Endowment, Lenovo, Duke Energy, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, NC Rural Center, Randolph Community College, NC Chamber, Golden LEAF Foundation, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and Capitol B Creative Studios.

Electricities of North Carolina, Kane Realty Corporation, MAKO Medical, and Oh Shoot Productions

AT&T, Biltmore Farms, Caterpillar Inc., Dominion Energy, ECS, Gaston County Economic Development Commission, IBM, Independent Insurance Agents of NC (IIANC), Monroe-Union County Economic Development Commission, NC Electric Cooperatives, Novant Health, Parker Poe, Portraits with Purpose™ by Christer Berg, Research Triangle Foundation of NC, and Truist.

Catawba Valley Community College Manufacturing Solutions Center, EdNC, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Griffin Estep Benefit Group Inc., Identify Yourself, Once Gathered, Pinnacle Financial Partners, PNC, Surry Community College Viticulture and Enology Program, Dr. Shirley Carraway, and The Honorable Terry Van Duyn.

Academic Excellence Awards: Presented to one student at each of the 58 community colleges who have demonstrated excellence in academics. Each student must have completed at least 12 semester hours in an associate degree program and have a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.25. 

Dallas Herring Achievement Award: Named after the late Dr. Dallas Herring – one of the state's earliest advocates for community colleges – this award is presented to a student who embodies Dr. Herring’s philosophy of "taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go."

Gov. Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award: Established by the NC Association of Community College Presidents and named after former Governor Scott, who also served as System President from 1983 to1995. The award is presented to students who have demonstrated outstanding student leadership and service. There are six regional finalists and one statewide winner.

President of the Year Award: This award is designed to encourage, identify, and reward outstanding leadership and commitment to the community college mission among the presidents of the 58 community colleges. It is presented to one president each year.

Excellence in Teaching Award: This award is presented to one faculty member who exemplifies the highest quality and standards of instruction throughout the System. There are six regional finalists and one statewide winner.

Staff Person of the Year Award: This award is presented to one non-teaching staff member of the 58 institutions of the NC Community College System and is designed to recognize excellent performance and commitment to the community college mission. 

System Office Staff of the Year Award: This award is presented to one staff member of the System Office to recognize excellent performance and commitment to the community college mission. 

I.E. Ready Lifetime Achievement Award: Named after the first System President, this award honors an individual who has made a significant statewide contribution to the System.

Apprenticeship Champion: Recognizes a partnership between a community college and business providing structured and meaningful apprenticeship experiences.

Innovative Leadership: Recognizes a partnership between a community college and business providing high-quality training and education programs that align with industry needs and result in improved employment outcomes for participants. 

Business of the Year >500 employees: Recognizes a business who demonstrates a model partnership with the System through impactful workforce development programs that improve the lives of workers and the State of North Carolina.

Business of the Year <500 employees: Recognizes a business who demonstrates a model partnership with the System through impactful workforce development programs that improve the lives of workers and the State of North Carolina.

There are many options for overnight accommodations in the Triangle Region across a variety of price points at or proximate to The Umstead Hotel, where the celebration will take place. The following are some courtesy hotel room blocks made for your convenience and available for your purchase on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Umstead Hotel & Spa
100 Woodland Pond Dr, Cary, NC 27513

• Courtesy block for the evening of April 17, 2024 
• $389.00 plus tax per night (10 rooms available at this price with no additional resort fee)
• Cut-off date is 03/18/2024
• Call (866) 877-4141 or (919) 447-4000 and request the NC Community Colleges Foundation special rate.

The Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Research Triangle
201 Harrison Oaks Blvd, Cary, NC 27513

• Courtesy room blocks available for the evenings of April 16 and 17, 2024
• $259 plus tax per night (15 rooms available at this price)
• Cut-off date is 03/15/2024
• Make an online reservation for this room block or contact (919) 677-1840, follow prompt for reservations, and request the NC Community Colleges Foundation special rate.  

DoubleTree Raleigh Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park
4810 Page Creek Lane, Durham, NC 27703

• Courtesy room blocks available for the evenings of April 16 and 17, 2024
• $155 plus tax per night (15 rooms available at this price)
• Cut-off date is 03/21/2024
• Make an online reservation for this room block or call (855) 610-8733, follow prompt for reservations, and request the NC Community Colleges Foundation special rate.  

Cancellation Policy: If you are no longer able to attend this event, you may transfer your registration to another individual within your organization but must notify event staff by no later than April 10, 2024. No refunds. 

Photo/Video Consent Policy: By registering for this event, you acknowledge that you may be recorded by event administrators. You acknowledge that recordings, transcripts, photographs, and other records of this event are owned by the NC Community College System, State Board of Community Colleges, and the NC Community Colleges Foundation, and may be used for any lawful purposes, including but not limited to: publicity, illustration, advertising, and/or other web content.

Seating: Seating will be organized similar to the White House Social Policy to encourage networking. When purchasing tickets, you may request under “special requests” for specific individuals to be seated together. We will attempt to honor requests but cannot guarentee that accommodation.