News and Features

Spring semester 2021 hybrid classes can begin meeting on-campus Wednesday, Feb. 3. Students taking hybrid classes will check with their instructors over the next couple of days to confirm when their classes will meet on campus.

Students in classes that have been meeting on campus will continue coming to campus as specified by their instructors.

Students with questions about class meeting schedules have been asked to contact their instructors.

If you will be coming to campus for the first time this semester, remember to read the Employee Guide for Returning to Campus. Also, remember to complete the Health Acknowledgement form the Monday of each week you will be on campus.

Central Piedmont thanks its employees for working so hard this semester. Keep up the good work, and please stay safe.

Do you know a Central Piedmont Community College graduate who is making a tremendous difference in the community? Nominations are currently being sought for the 2021 Richard H. Hagemeyer Educational Advancement Award and the 2021 Young Alumni Award of Excellence. These awards recognize Central Piedmont graduates who have significantly benefited from their experiences at Central Piedmont and whose efforts have helped the community.

Nominations are being sought for individuals who have:

• demonstrated community involvement/professional involvement, social responsibility and impact
• acquired scholastic and learning skills that have led to continued personal and educational growth
• improved his or her economic status and social capital as a result of attending Central Piedmont
• invested in the lives of others and is seen as a role model
• graduated within the last 10 years (Young Alumni Award of Excellence only)

Individuals interested in applying should note:

• attendance at graduation is preferred
• political candidates may not be selected or honored in a year in which they are actively pursuing election or re-election

The college will present the award to this year’s winners virtually or at Central Piedmont’s commencement ceremony, depending on the status of the global pandemic. In addition, a one-year scholarship will be granted to a Central Piedmont student in an area of study reflective of the winner’s background.

Nomination forms are available on the Central Piedmont website.

Completed nomination forms should be submitted online; or mailed to Christa Newkirk, Office of Alumni Relations, P.O. Box 35009, Charlotte, NC, 28235. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 12, 2021, at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Christa Newkirk at alumni@cpcc.edu or call 704.330.6808.

The N.C. State Board of Community Colleges has awarded Central Piedmont Community College its 2021 Distinguished Partners in Excellence award for its successful partnership with Year Up and Bank of America.

The State Board’s Distinguished Partners in Excellence award honors an exemplary employer, business, or industry group that has demonstrated decisive involvement and a firm commitment to the professional development of its employees and/or to the development of North Carolina's workforce through its partnership efforts with one or more of the 58 community colleges.

Central Piedmont’s partnership with Year Up and Bank of America represents the award’s criteria well. The Year Up program – which also receives support from the Duke Endowment and the John M. Belk Endowment – strives to prepare low-income, minority students throughout the Charlotte region for economically mobile careers.

Launched in 2019, Year Up offers first-semester students the opportunity to take credit-bearing technical courses taught by Central Piedmont faculty along with professional skills classes taught by staff of the national non-profit Year Up. Students earn a stipend and have access to the college’s many services, including its library and tutoring resources.

In their second semester, students enter a full-time, credit-bearing internship financed by Bank of America. There is no cost for students.

When the pandemic hit, Central Piedmont and Year Up provided laptops and personal Wi-Fi hotspots so students could continue their instruction online. Bank of America provided the interns with the same technology their employees use so they could work remotely.

Of the partnership’s first cohort, 70 percent of graduates are now working at Bank of America full-time; 10 percent are enrolled in school full-time.

Learn more about Year Up.

See the complete list of 2021 State Board of Community Colleges award recipients.

The Dickson Foundation of Charlotte has awarded Central Piedmont Community College a $500,000 grant to develop a new licensed practical nursing program at the college that will provide students with an accelerated path to a meaningful, family-sustaining career in the healthcare industry and address the employment needs of Charlotte’s healthcare sector. Thanks to the Foundation’s generous gift, the program will permanently be named the Dickson Licensed Practical Nursing Program at Central Piedmont.

“This gift will provide us with the resources we need to create a quality program,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. “The funds will not only allow us to provide financial aid to our most in need students, but also enable us to hire full- and part-time faculty, develop challenging course content and purchase program-specific material and equipment that will produce quality graduates prepared to enter the workforce.”

Licensed practical nurses serve an important role in the healthcare delivery system, ensuring quality care for patients. They assist physicians and registered nurses in providing critical, essential services, including monitoring patients’ vital signs and supervising nursing assistants and collaborating with other members of the healthcare team. Licensed practical nurses are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, private practices, medical offices and with home healthcare agencies.

Central Piedmont’s licensed practical nursing program will enable students to earn their professional credential in one year, preparing them for employment more quickly. This is especially important, given the median licensed practical nursing salary is $48,055, which offers a viable economic-mobility pathway for low-income residents in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

“The Foundation values and appreciates Central Piedmont’s important education and career training role in our community,” said R. Stuart Dickson, chairman of the board of directors for The Dickson Foundation of Charlotte. “The college is a critical resource in expanding opportunities for the citizens of Mecklenburg County. This grant addresses two of The Dickson Foundation’s priorities – education and healthcare. We are pleased to partner with Central Piedmont to begin and name this new program.”

The Dickson Licensed Practical Nursing Program at Central Piedmont will be based on the college’s Central Campus and will focus on patient data collection and subsequent care, safety and hygiene, medications, use of medical records, nursing procedures, applying anatomy and physiology, professional behavior, and healthcare law and policy.

The first cohort of licensed practical nursing students is expected to begin classes in fall 2021 and graduate in summer 2022. Upon completing the program, all of the program’s graduates will take the National Council Licensure Examination in Practical Nursing to become a nationally-certified licensed practical nurse. It is anticipated the program will begin with 18 students in its first year and grow to 40 students in the second year.

Central Piedmont will have the option to add students in subsequent years to meet student and workforce demand.

The Dickson Foundation of Charlotte is a longtime supporter of Central Piedmont and of healthcare and education in the Charlotte area. The Foundation’s grant will help the college further progress toward its Powering a Stronger Future campaign goal of $40 million.

Individuals interested in learning more about the Dickson Licensed Practical Nursing Program at Central Piedmont can contact Jeanette Cheshire, associate dean of nursing and nurse aid at Central Piedmont, at 704.330.6451 or at jeanette.cheshire@cpcc.edu.

In light of COVID-19 health directive clarifications provided earlier today by the Mecklenburg County Public Health Department and stringently following our pandemic safety protocols, Central Piedmont will move some career and technical education classes back to on-campus, in-person delivery.

Starting Thurs., Jan. 14, classes in the following program areas will resume on-campus, in-person classes:

• Basic Law Enforcement
• Cardiovascular Technology
• Cytotechnology
• Emergency Medical Science
• Human Services Technology
• Medical Assisting
• Medical Laboratory Technology
• Notary Public
• Nurse Aide
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Ophthalmic Medical Personnel
• Paralegal Technology
• Paramedic Training
• Pharmacy Technology
• Physical Therapy Assistant
• Polysomnography
• Respiratory Therapy
• Surgical Technology

Class sections that began the semester as online or hybrid will continue online until Feb. 2, at which time the college will provide further guidance.

Students with questions about the mode of your classes – online or on-campus – contact your instructors directly and check Blackboard. The college will continue to follow pandemic-related executive orders from N.C. Governor Roy Cooper and recommendations issued by the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services.

The college encourages everyone to stay safe and vigilant in maintaining all of our safety practices, as COVID-19 cases are spiking in Mecklenburg County. Please keep wearing a facemask, practicing social distancing, washing your hands frequently, and monitoring yourself for any possible COVID-19 symptoms.

For more information and resources on COVID-19, please visit the college's coronavirus page.

Central Piedmont is excited to announce Merancas IV, a new classroom building on its Merancas Campus in Huntersville, NC, will open its doors for select in-person courses in January 2021.

The new 67,660 square-foot facility, designed by ADW Architects and constructed by Rodgers, features:

• a campus library, including a computer classroom and student technology center
• four science labs
• nine general classrooms
• Middle College at Merancas Campus classrooms and offices
• reading and math labs
• student commons areas, including multi-purpose rooms, Student Government Association lounge and offices
• student study and lounge areas
• a campus administration office suite
• faculty office areas

“One of Central Piedmont’s core values is being student-centered and focused on student success,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. “With this in mind, our new facility will help us better serve our students by providing them with additional spaces to not only study and learn, but also to engage with their peers and grow their leadership skills through our many Student Life programs and Student Government initiatives.”

The $27.5 million project was funded with Mecklenburg County 2013 Bonds.

If you are a student and are not sure if you have a class in the new facility, courses in this building have “Merancas IV” as the location on course schedules.

To familiarize yourself with the new building's location, view the Merancas Campus map.

Congratulations to the following Central Piedmont students who joined a binational team of Iraqi students and placed second in the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge, a project administered by IREX and funded by the Stevens Initiative, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. They are:

• John Dale Ardiosa
• Nancy Guerrero
• Aiden Keith
• Aakriti Lakshmanan
• Anny Leon
• Jenna Louis
• Devin McKillop
• Eslam Shaalia
• Gwen Thompson

The Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge is a virtual exchange initiative that supports workforce development in the U.S., Iraq, and Jordan. Community college students from the U.S. and university students from Iraq and Jordan team up to solve global challenges facing the business sector across industries.

The program improves global citizenship, strengthens problem-solving skills, and develops enduring connections, while enhancing students’ job skills through online collaboration.

The Central Piedmont/Iraqi team created the mobile app "planet eARTh," which provides awareness of the impact environmental damage can have on Charlotte and Sulaimani through local artwork. Explore their video pitch and business concept.

Kudos to Central Piedmont’s Camelia Taheri, discipline chair of Global Business, and Nadine Russell, director of Global Learning, who facilitated the team over the past eight weeks. 

Learn more about the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge.

Learn more about global learning at Central Piedmont.

Central Piedmont is collaborating with Cognizant, a Fortune 200 technology and professional services company, to provide a new customized digital skills training program to help aspiring IT professionals develop the skills necessary to succeed as a full stack engineer.

Slated for launch in January 2021, the program, supported through the North Carolina Community College Customized Training Program, will be free of charge to qualified individuals and will incorporate virtual on-the-job “pre-apprentice” experience guided by Cognizant professionals, along with classroom curriculum. Individuals who successfully complete the program will earn a nationally recognized education credential and have the opportunity to interview with Cognizant for a paid one-year apprenticeship. Cognizant plans to hire up to 25 graduates of the program in 2021.

“Central Piedmont is proud and delighted to partner with Cognizant and to help support Cognizant’s growth in Mecklenburg County,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. “The apprenticeship strategy Cognizant and the college is undertaking is innovative and could become a model for other growth companies who want to develop a sustainable talent pipeline.”

“Cognizant is pleased to be collaborating with Central Piedmont on this new initiative,” said Eric Westphal, senior director, Global Workforce Strategy and Operations, for Cognizant. “We are committed to pioneering workforce development strategies that both contribute to bridging the skills gap and uplifting the local communities while meeting our business goals. This new apprenticeship program will provide an avenue for developing more local talent to compete for high-demand technology jobs, as well as helping to fill Cognizant’s own need for skilled, digital talent.”

The initial eight-week pilot program will be open to up to 25 participants. The classroom curriculum and unpaid “pre-apprenticeship” aspect of the program will teach JAVA Programming as a foundation skill. Individuals can apply by submitting an interest form and résumé online to the program and sitting for the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® offered at Central Piedmont. Training will begin in late January 2021 with selected applicants.

Cognizant currently employs more than 1,000 workers in Mecklenburg County. The program is being delivered as part of the North Carolina Community College System’s Customized Training Program, which provides education, training, and support services for new, expanding, and existing eligible business and industries throughout the state. To be considered for the program businesses must demonstrate an appreciable capital investment, the creation of new jobs, and/or the deployment of new technology.

Central Piedmont Community College received more than $700,000 from JPMorgan Chase to meet community needs for economically mobile career pathways and pandemic-related relief. A $500,000 grant will help the college develop new, fully online training pathways in high-demand IT fields, including cybersecurity, health IT and forensic accounting. The funds will provide for course development, instructional capacity, technology and student support services.

In addition, JPMorgan Chase will extend a second grant of $235,000 to Central Piedmont to provide sub-grants to 11 Mecklenburg County non-profit organizations that are serving populations severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant funds will help them meet increased demands for services like housing, food, healthcare, legal assistance and technology among the Charlotte area’s most vulnerable populations.

“When JPMorgan Chase comes to a city, one of the first things we do is identify community partners that will help us not only connect with the community, but also actually make a long-term and sustainable impact on its residents and their economic mobility. We found a partner in Central Piedmont Community College,” said Dekonti Mends-Cole, vice president of corporate responsibility at JPMorgan Chase. “Central Piedmont does not just educate students; it also identifies the needs of the surrounding community and provides the tools and the programs to address them. We’re pleased to partner with the college to help the residents of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County thrive.”

These two grants are the latest in a history of support JPMorgan Chase has provided Central Piedmont. Since 2014, JPMorgan Chase has invested approximately $1.6 million in the college to support multiple programs, including truck driver training, electrical vehicle technology training, global logistics and distribution, and a customized training program for workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Approximately 525 students have earned credentials though these programs.

“What an incredible blessing it is to be included in a partnership with JPMorgan Chase, Central Piedmont and 10 other nonprofits to help people in need in our community. At Loaves & Fishes, we see the faces of children, families and seniors here in our community who don't know where their next meal is going to come from. It fills my heart to know this funding will help to ensure everyone in need will have a full plate for the days, weeks and months to come,” said Tina Postel, executive director of Loaves & Fishes.

“JPMorgan Chase understands well and supports generously Central Piedmont’s mission of helping students achieve career success and greater economic mobility by providing pathways to skills training that is relevant in our global economy,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont president. “JPMorgan Chase is a true partner and leader in this community’s work to ensure a greater number of our neighbors get the opportunity and support to build family-sustaining careers. The college and Charlotte region are blessed to have such an intuitive and responsive partner like JPMorgan Chase.”

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has issued a curfew for North Carolinians and businesses, effective Friday, December 11.

The “modified stay-at-home order” will require people to stay home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., and most retail and entertainment businesses to close by 10 p.m. All on-site alcohol sales are required to end by 9 p.m., Cooper said.

Travel to and from work, to obtain food, medical care, fuel or social services, or to take care of a family member is exempted from the curfew.

The governor said the move is to limit gatherings and to slow the spread of coronavirus. “We will do more if our trends do not improve,” Cooper said.

The modified stay-at-home order will remain in place until at least Jan. 8.

According to the Governor’s executive order, between Nov. 21 and Dec. 4, more than three-fourths of North Carolina counties were experiencing “substantial” or “critical” COVID-19 community spread, based on the new County Alert System developed by the NC Department of Health and Human Services.

The college encourages all community members to stay vigilant in maintaining all of our safety practices. Please keep wearing a facemask, practicing social distancing, washing your hands frequently, and monitoring yourself for any possible COVID-19 symptoms. Should you develop any symptoms or feel ill at all, please stay home and consult a physician.

Visit coronavirus information for return to campus guidelines and other updates on the pandemic.