6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Cocktail Reception

The evening will begin with a Cocktail Reception in the Pre-Function Area and Terrace featuring passed hors d'oeuvres, open bars including western North Carolina beers, musical entertainment provided by Sandhills Community College (student chorus and classically-trained student pianist), and a Durham Tech student fine art exhibit. The appetizer menu includes:

• Creamed Spinach, Puff Pastry, Feta, Pine Nuts (Vegetarian)
• Chicken Spring Roll, Sweet & Spicy Sauce
• Poached Jumbo Shrimp, Yuzu Cocktail Sauce, Cucumber (GF)
• Black Eyed Pea Hummus, Truffle, Artisan Cracker (Vegan)

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner and Awards Program

The Dinner and Awards Program will follow in the Ballroom featuring Wake Tech alumna, Jacqueline Matter of FOX5 DC, as Emcee. The delicious three-course dinner will align with three program segments featuring nine award presentations and a special tribute to the 14 western NC community colleges. The event will conclude with swag bags and refreshments for guests upon exit. The dinner menu includes:  

• First Course - Salad: Butter Lettuce, Strawberries, Radish, Sunflower Seeds, White Balsamic (Vegan, GF)
• Second Course - Entree: Roasted Chicken with Carolina Gold Rice, Carrots, Celery, Cippolini Onion, Jus (GF) - or - Butternut Squash with Beluga Lentils, Marcona Almonds, Coconut Brother (Vegan, GF)
• Third Course - Dessert: Dark Chocolate Passionfruit with Raspberry, Sea Salt, Passionfruit Gelee (GF) - or - Sorbet (Seasonal Flavor TBD, Vegan)

Ms. Jacqueline Matter, an anchor and co-host of FOX5 Mornings and Good Day DC, brings a rich background in journalism and a deep connection to the community college system. Matter graduated from Wake Tech in 2012, transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill as a Carolina Covenant Scholar, and earned her Bachelors of Arts in Journalism.

While in college, Matter interned at all four local Raleigh news stations. Since graduation, she has worked with television stations in Jacksonville, NC and Tampa, FL before moving to Washington, DC and joining the FOX5 team in 2021. Her role as emcee underscores the significant impact that community colleges have on propelling individuals towards remarkable achievements. Read the announcement and Matter's bio.

NC Community College System, NC State Board of Community Colleges, NC Community Colleges Foundation, Arnold Ventures, Golden LEAF Foundation, Duke Energy, North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation, NC Rural Center, John M. Belk Endowment, State Employees' Credit Union, Lenovo, Wells Fargo, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Kane Realty Corporation

ECS, ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., Honestly, Parker Poe

AT&T, Bojangles, Caterpillar Inc., CCS Fundraising, IBM, Independent Insurance Agents of NC, Martin Marietta, Mt. Olive Pickle, myFutureNC, Inc., The North Carolina Railroad Company, NC Electric Cooperatives, Novant Health, Oak City Social Club, Riley Outdoor, State Board Member Ms. Sarah West

Celebrating Nine Trailblazers in Community College Excellence

North Carolina’s Top Community College Students Honored with 2025 Academic Excellence Awards

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.

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.

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 room block available for the evenings of April 2 and April 3, 2025
• $519 plus tax per night (5 rooms available on April 2nd & 10 rooms available on April 3rd)
• Cut-off date is Monday, February 17, 2025
• Call 1-866-877-4141 or 919-447-4000 and request the NC Community Colleges Foundation Courtesy Room Block 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 2 and April 3, 2025
• $139 plus tax per night (20 rooms available per night at this price)
• Cut-off date is Monday, March 10, 2025
• Make an online reservation for this room block or call 1-800-445-8667, follow the prompt for reservations, and request the NC Community Colleges Foundation special rate or mention the code CDTCCF

Homewood Suites by Hilton Raleigh-Durham AP/Research Triangle
4603 Central Park Dr. (Exit 281 - Miami Blvd), Durham, NC 27703

• Courtesy room block available for the evenings of April 2 and 3, 2025
• $149 plus tax per night (10 rooms per night at this price)
• Cut-off date is March 19, 2024
• Make reservations for this room block or call (919) 474-9900, follow the prompt for reservations, and request the NC Community Colleges Foundation special rate

Courtyard Raleigh Cary Crossroads
5730 Dillard Dr, Cary, NC 27518

• Courtesy room block available for the evenings of April 2 and 3, 2025
• $199 plus tax per night (10 rooms per night at this price - 5 Standard King rooms and 5 Standard Two Queen rooms available per night)
• Cut-off date is March 12, 2025
• Make reservations for this room block or call (919) 816-9988, follow the prompt for reservations, and request the NCCCF Room Block special rate

STUDENT AWARDS

• One student from all 58 institutions received an Academic Excellence Award prior to the event – the highest academic honor the System bestows on its students.
• The Dallas Herring Achievement Award to Ms. Lillia Kathryn Diez of Alamance Community College, presented by Wells Fargo. 
• The Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award to Mr. Toby Neal of Stanly Community College, presented by the NC Association of Community College Presidents.

FACULTY AND STAFF RECOGNITION

• The President of the Year Award to Dr. Jack Bagwell of College of The Albemarle, presented by the John M. Belk Endowment.
• The Excellence in Teaching Award to Mr. Jere Miles of Wilkes Community College, presented by Lenovo. 
• The Staff Person of the Year Award to Ms. Christy Lefevers of Catawba Valley Community College, presented by Duke Energy. 
• The System Office Staff Person of the Year Award to Ms. Jonnell Carpenter of NC Community Colleges, presented by North Carolina Biotechnology Center.
• The I.E. Ready Lifetime Achievement Award to President Kenneth Boham, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (retired), presented by NC Rural Center. 

PINNACLE AWARDS

• Northern Regional Hospital and Surry Community College were named an Apprenticeship Champion, presented by Randolph Community College.
• Smithfield Foods and Wayne Community College were named an Apprenticeship Champion, also presented by Randolph Community College.
• The Innovative Leadership Award to Cape Fear Valley Health System with Bladen Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Sandhills Community College, and Central Carolina Community College, presented by the NC Chamber.
• The Business of the Year Award (<500 Employees) to Parker Offshore with Carteret Community College, presented by the Golden LEAF Foundation. 
• The Business of the Year Award (>500 Employees) to Lilly with Durham Technical Community College and Wake Technical Community College, presented by the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC)

The NC Community Colleges Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded in 1986 to support the mission of the NC Community College System. The future of North Carolina is brighter with your help. 

Make a donation today.