News and Features

• More than $317,000 already raised for scholarship support since 2019
• Announcement guarantees impact for students pursuing aviation-related careers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) announced today the creation of an endowed scholarship called the “Charlotte Douglas International Airport Scholarship Fund” at Central Piedmont Community College to support students pursuing aviation-related careers. This endowment will guarantee that CLT’s charitable impact at Central Piedmont continues indefinitely.

“We are thrilled to be able to support the next generation of aviation professionals through this permanent scholarship fund,” said CLT Airport CEO Haley Gentry. “By creating an endowed scholarship at Central Piedmont, we’re not only investing in students today, but ensuring that CLT’s commitment to education, workforce development and our community continues for generations to come.”

Since 2019, the Aviation Department has raised over $317,000 for Central Piedmont Opportunity Scholarships through its popular CLT Runway 5K — more than doubling the original goal. The Oct. 18, 2025, race was another record-breaking event. It sold out in less than three hours, attracted over 1,600 participants and raised $90,930.

Endowed scholarships are established to provide ongoing support in perpetuity, with funds invested to generate annual scholarship awards for students today and in the future.

So far, 30 students from Mecklenburg County have been provided CLT Airport Opportunity Scholarships.

“We are incredibly thankful for Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s sustained investment in Central Piedmont students and their futures,” said Lisa Schlachter, chief philanthropy officer at Central Piedmont. “By covering tuition, program-required fees, and books, this scholarship expands access to aviation career pathways for students with financial need—opening doors to stable, meaningful employment while creating long-term opportunity for our region.”

As it funds the endowed scholarship, CLT will continue to donate $20,000 annually to support Opportunity Scholarships. Already, $70,930.33 from last year’s proceeds has been earmarked to start the endowed scholarship fund.

This year’s CLT Runway 5K is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Registration opens Aug. 1.

• Nearly 1,000 U.S. military veteran students and dependents supported through multi-campus Military Families and Veteran Services centers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Central Piedmont Community College earned the 2026–2027 Military Friendly® School designation, recognizing the college’s strong commitment to serving veterans, transitioning service members and military-connected students.

Since 2013, the college has proudly supported military-connected students through its Military Families and Veterans Services centers, which operate as a comprehensive one-stop support model across multiple campuses. 

Services include: 

• Academic advising
• Counseling
• Career coaching
• Goal setting and mentoring
• Assistance with education benefits
• Scholarship support
• Connections to community resources

These dedicated veteran spaces and support staff help ensure accessible, consistent support throughout a student’s academic journey. 

“This recognition reflects Central Piedmont’s commitment to meeting military-connected students where they are and helping them succeed,” said Dr. Amy Bruining, vice president of student affairs. “Through dedicated support services and clear academic and career pathways, we ensure veterans and their families can achieve their goals and build meaningful futures.”

Central Piedmont also offers priority registration for eligible veteran students and serves as an approved institution for Veteran Affairs education benefits. In 2024-25, the college enrolled nearly 1,000 U.S. military veteran students and dependents.

The college’s approach is designed to support not only veterans and service members, but also military spouses and families as they navigate the transition from military service to civilian education and careers.

“Choosing a Military Friendly® school like Central Piedmont makes an enormous difference for veterans,” said Lawanda Ellison, a Central Piedmont student in the Information Technology program who serves in the U.S. Army Reserve. “You’re not treated like a number. From day one, the Military Families and Veterans Services team helped me understand how to maximize my VA benefits, plan my classes and move forward with confidence. They go above and beyond to make sure you’re supported — not just academically, but personally — and that kind of guidance makes the transition from military service to college life so much easier.”

About the Military Friendly® School designation

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® Schools designation are evaluated using a combination of public data sources and responses to a proprietary survey. More than 3,200 organizations participated in the 2026–2027 Military Friendly® review process. 

Final ratings were determined by combining survey results, public data and an assessment of each institution’s ability to meet or exceed benchmarks related to student recruitment, retention, academic progress, graduation rates, career placement and support services for veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses.

“Earning the Military Friendly® designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution’s deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served,” said Kayla Lopez, Vice President of Memberships at Military Friendly®. “These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses — they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact.”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Central Piedmont Community College awarded an honorary degree to acclaimed chef and restaurateur Sam Hart during the college’s Spring Commencement on May 14 at Bojangles Coliseum, celebrating Hart’s leadership in the culinary arts and deep commitment to community impact.

Hart, executive chef and owner of counter‑, is a Charlotte native whose career reflects a nontraditional but purpose‑driven path to national recognition. After working in advertising, Hart made a pivotal decision to pursue a passion for cooking, returning home to enroll at Central Piedmont. In 2017 and 2018, Hart earned two culinary arts certificates from the college, choosing an accessible, community‑focused education as the foundation for a future in fine dining. 

While a student, Hart gained hands‑on experience in several of Charlotte’s most respected kitchens before advancing their training in Chicago. There, Hart worked at world‑renowned restaurants, including the three‑Michelin‑starred Alinea, and later explored Japanese cuisine as a sashimi chef — experiences that would shape a distinctive culinary voice.

In 2019, Hart returned to Charlotte with a clear vision: to create a dining experience that both challenged convention and lifted others along the way. That vision became counter‑, an intimate, full‑sensory restaurant designed as an incubator for emerging chefs. Under Hart’s leadership, counter‑ has earned international acclaim, including recognition as a James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Southeast, as well as a MICHELIN Star and MICHELIN Green Star, honoring excellence and sustainability.

Beyond accolades, Hart is known for supporting local suppliers and reinvesting in the Charlotte community.

• Grant aims to grow Electrical Systems Technology enrollment by 20%
• Central Piedmont is one of 10 community colleges statewide that received the grant

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Central Piedmont Community College has been awarded a $250,000 Careers Electric™ grant, positioning the college to strengthen the state’s electrical and electrification workforce.

Central Piedmont is honored to be one of only 10 community colleges in the state to receive the grant, highlighting the college’s strong track record in electrical training.

Supported by the Siemens Foundation and the North Carolina Community College System Foundation, the grant will enable Central Piedmont to expand enrollment capacity in its Electrical Systems Technology program by at least 20% by October 2028. 

The investment fuels immediate capacity at the Levine Campus – upgrading lab infrastructure, adding critical equipment, including appliances, a water heater and other supplies, and hiring additional faculty – all to drive student recruitment and deliver hands-on training aligned with industry needs.

The grant represents a strategic investment at a pivotal moment. As the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region accelerates, demand for skilled electrical talent is surging across both traditional and emerging industries – and Central Piedmont is continuing to scale to meet the need.

“Central Piedmont’s skilled trades programs power the people who power our economy,” said Dr. Heather Hill, Central Piedmont’s provost and chief academic officer. “Being selected for the Careers Electric™ Training Network allows us to expand access to electrical training that leads directly to stable, well‑paying careers, while helping employers fill urgent talent gaps.”

Central Piedmont is doubling down on career and technical education to ensure a strong pipeline of professionals in skilled trades including welding, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, lineworker training, construction management and electrical systems.

More than 1,300 students enrolled in the college’s HVAC, Electrical Systems Technology, and Construction Management programs from fall 2025 through spring 2026, with enrollment continuing to grow. The Careers Electric™ grant strengthens that momentum by targeting one of the region’s most critical workforce needs: electrical and electrification expertise across traditional and emerging industries.

The initiative aims to prepare 25,000 North Carolinians over the next decade for essential roles in the state’s workforce.

• 1,843 graduates honored at commencement – up 6.2% from May 2025
• Graduates earned a 3.41 average GPA, reflecting academic excellence and persistence
• Nearly 500 graduates enter high‑demand fields, fueling Charlotte’s workforce growth

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Central Piedmont Community College celebrated the academic achievement and perseverance of 1,843 graduates during its commencement on May 14, recognizing students who earned degrees and diplomas and are now prepared to shape their careers – and the region’s future.

The spring 2026 class represents a 6.2% year-over-year increase, with 107 more graduates completing credentials — a continued sign of Central Piedmont’s momentum and commitment to student success. Collectively, graduates earned an impressive 3.41 average GPA, reflecting their dedication and determination to balance academics with work, family and life’s challenges.

“Your collective desire to excel in your studies is nothing short of remarkable,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont, during her commencement address. “Wherever you go, you carry with you the perseverance and success you’ve demonstrated here – and we are confident you will thrive as you take the next step, becoming the future leaders, innovators and professionals who will make a significant difference in the world.”

Nearly 500 graduates are entering high-demand career fields in healthcare, information technology, public safety, skilled trades and transportation — all essential to the Charlotte region’s economic vitality and long-term growth.

“Many of us didn’t take a standard route to get here, and that’s exactly what makes this moment meaningful,” said Grace Melvin, a graduate in Broadcasting and Production Technology who served as the commencement speaker for the college’s morning ceremony. “At Central Piedmont, I found direction, purpose and the courage to try again. We didn’t just earn degrees — we proved that success doesn’t require a perfect timeline, only the persistence to keep going.”

The class also included nearly 325 graduates from Central Piedmont’s dual enrollment and middle and early college programs, underscoring the college’s role in accelerating opportunity for high school students through these early-access pathways.

“We are here because we chose growth over comfort,” said Khushi Bhatia, a middle college graduate who completed her associate degree while finishing high school and spoke during the afternoon ceremony. “Central Piedmont gave us the space to believe in ourselves and the confidence to define our own direction forward.”

Duke Energy recently donated professional attire to Central Piedmont Community College’s Professional Clothing Closet, continuing a partnership that helps students prepare for academic, professional and workforce success. This marks the third clothing drive that the Duke Energy Foundation has spearheaded for employees in support of the college’s initiative, which has served students since 2021.

The Professional Clothing Closet provides free professional clothing to Central Piedmont students, helping remove a financial barrier many face when preparing for interviews, internships, classroom presentations, and career-connected events. Over the past year alone, nearly 350 students have registered to shop, while countless others have dropped in, underscoring the growing need for and impact of the resource.

For Lohana Fuenmayor, a student in Early Childhood Education who graduates this May, the clothing closet has been transformative. “The clothing closet has been a very enriching experience for me during my time at Central Piedmont,” she said. Now working as a preschool operations manager, Lohana shared that the clothing provided helped her feel “more confident and prepared for professional and academic settings.”

She added that knowing Duke Energy supports the closet is especially meaningful. “It shows that the broader community is invested in student success and willing to contribute in meaningful ways,” she said.

Student Na Nian echoed that sentiment, noting how the closet provides both practical support and confidence. “It helps students feel more confident when they go to interviews or professional events,” Na said. “Not every student can afford to buy formal clothes, so this program gives everyone a fair chance.”

Na also emphasized the personal impact of Duke Energy’s donation. “Their kindness makes me feel supported by the community,” she said, adding that she hopes to one day give back herself.

Through partnerships like Duke Energy’s, Central Piedmont’s Professional Clothing Closet continues to empower students and ensure access to opportunity and confidence as they pursue their goals.

A striking 15-foot stainless steel sculpture now greets students, employees, and visitors outside Central Piedmont’s Parr Arts Building, facing E. 4th Street — an eye-catching addition made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor and the vision of local artist Tom Risser.

Created by Risser, a Charlotte-area engineer and sculptor, the abstract, untitled work began decades ago as a small, two-dimensional sketch. Over time, it evolved into a large-scale, three-dimensional form fabricated from stainless steel, featuring sweeping curves and layered elements that catch and reflect light throughout the day — and especially at night as headlights and campus lighting bring the surface to life.

Risser, who has been welding sculptures for more than two decades, originally installed the piece in the front yard of his home. As he prepared to sell the property, he hoped to find a public home where the sculpture could be safely preserved and widely enjoyed. That opportunity came when Central Piedmont expressed interest, ultimately relocating the piece to its new setting on the college’s Central Campus.

Seeing the sculpture installed outside the Parr Arts Building has been especially meaningful for Risser. “Sometimes these sculptures are part of your soul,” he said, noting the joy he felt watching students pause to photograph or admire the work as they passed by after its installation.

Designed without a prescribed meaning or title, the sculpture invites individual interpretation —whether as a figurative form, a floral shape, or even a musical instrument. Now firmly rooted on campus, the piece fulfills Risser’s ultimate goal: sharing art in a public space where it can inspire curiosity, conversation, and connection every day.

• Community College Month highlights affordable education, clear pathways to careers and four‑year degrees
• Central Piedmont powers Charlotte’s workforce through apprenticeships, employer partnerships and hands‑on learning

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Central Piedmont Community College will celebrate Community College Month throughout April, spotlighting the college’s role as a gateway to opportunity, a driver of the regional workforce and a pillar of support for students and the broader community.

Since opening its doors in 1963, Central Piedmont has been rooted in access, opportunity and strong community partnerships. Today, the college serves more than 52,000 students annually across six campuses in Mecklenburg County, offering education and training that directly connects learners to in‑demand careers and four‑year transfer pathways.

“Community colleges transform lives every day, and this month gives us the opportunity to share that impact with our community,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. “We meet students where they are — whether they’re starting college for the first time, changing careers, or gaining new skills to advance in the workforce.” 

Powering the region’s workforce

As one of the largest community colleges in North Carolina, Central Piedmont serves as a critical workforce engine for the Charlotte region. The college collaborates with businesses and industry partners to offer:

• 20 apprenticeship programs
• 250 work-based learning opportunities 
• More than 60 customized training solutions

In addition, continuing education and accelerated training programs allow individuals to reskill or upskill quickly in high‑growth fields — from artificial intelligence and transportation to healthcare and skilled trades.

“Being given the option to work and get paid to learn was very appealing,” said Kent Harrington, a 2025 graduate in Mechatronics Engineering Technology who had an apprenticeship with Blum. Throughout the apprenticeship, Kent gained extensive technical and workplace skills, from operating CNC machinery and working across diverse teams to learning financial management and effective communication.

Affordable education with real value

Central Piedmont is committed to keeping higher education within reach, offering education options to meet the needs of students and their budget.

• $46,000+ in potential savings by starting at Central Piedmont and transferring to a four‑year institution
• More than 50% of students receive financial aid
• $4+ million provided in scholarships annually

Students can further reduce costs through dual enrollment, which allows eligible high school students to earn tuition-free college credit, and apprenticeships allow students to gain paid, hands-on experience while covering tuition costs. 

“I went through a lot of financial hardships, so deciding to go to school was a big life-changer for me,” said Daisy Corea, an Ophthalmic Medical Personnel student. “It was something that I wanted to do, but I wasn't sure where to start. I was too afraid of the commitment of having to pay off student loans and student debt. But Central Piedmont really did make it easy for me, and with the security of being able to jump right into the career of my dreams, it's so comforting.”

More than a college

Beyond the classroom, Central Piedmont serves as a vital community resource, offering affordable services, cultural events and more for residents of Mecklenburg County and beyond.

• The college’s Small Business Center helps more than 350 entrepreneurs and small business owners launch and grow 
• The community dental clinic serves nearly 1,000 patients annually
• English as a Second Language (ESL) and adult literacy programs empower residents to build skills, expand opportunities and participate fully in community life
• More than 90,000 community members attend performances or lectures and visit our art galleries across our campuses each year

• College to add barbering, nail technology and esthetics programs in August 2026
• Expanded programs provide affordable community services while building skilled workforce

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Central Piedmont Community College is transforming and expanding facilities at its Harris Campus into Mecklenburg County’s hub for hands-on learning in cosmetic arts, barbering, and massage therapy. The renovation and program expansion reflects the college’s continued commitment to preparing a skilled, workforce-ready talent pipeline while providing affordable beauty and wellness services to the community.

The renovated facility - formerly the Harris I building that will now be called the Cosmetic Arts building - will welcome students beginning with the fall semester in August 2026. Features will include modern, professional salon and massage therapy spaces designed to mirror real-world industry environments. Students will train by serving real clients, gaining practical experience while providing accessible, low-cost beauty and wellness services to the community.

“We’re turning passion into a profession,” said Dr. Heather Hill, Central Piedmont’s provost. “These best-in-class facilities at Harris Campus create direct and meaningful pathways into in-demand careers and prepare students to be confident, skilled, and workforce-ready from day one.”

• Partnership expands access, strengthens advising, reduces costs, and increases bachelor's completion
• Central Piedmont offers nearly 20 guaranteed admission transfer partnerships

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Central Piedmont Community College and The University of North Carolina at Pembroke have announced a new guaranteed admission transfer partnership designed to make the path from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree clearer, more coordinated, and more affordable for students.

The new agreement, known as BraveNation Advantage, creates a defined, student-centered transfer pathway that aligns academic advising, course planning, and support services between the two institutions. Through this partnership, eligible Central Piedmont students who complete designated coursework will be guaranteed admission to UNC Pembroke, reducing uncertainty and helping them stay on track to earning a four-year degree.

“BraveNation Advantage connects two institutions around a single student journey,” said Dr. Heather Hill, provost at Central Piedmont. “By clearly mapping how credits transfer and strengthening support at every step, we’re helping students move forward with confidence toward a bachelor’s degree and the career opportunities that follow.”

“This partnership with Central Piedmont Community College expands access and creates a clear, supportive pathway for students to continue their education at UNC Pembroke,” said Dr. Kelly Brennan, vice chancellor for Enrollment at UNCP. “Through BraveNation Advantage, students gain early access to advising, resources and a university community that is committed to their success from day one.”

Key benefits of the BraveNation Advantage partnership include:

• A more seamless and predictable transfer process, aligning academic pathways between Central Piedmont and UNC Pembroke.
• Clear progression toward a bachelor’s degree, helping students understand how earned credits apply to UNC Pembroke programs.
• Stronger advising and coordinated support, guiding students through critical academic and planning milestones.

The agreement builds on Central Piedmont’s long-standing commitment to transfer excellence. The college maintains partnerships with more than 30 four-year colleges and universities, including:

• Statewide transfer agreements to UNC System universities
• Nearly 20 guaranteed admission agreements
• Twenty “2+2” programs for Associate in Applied Science graduates
• Five honors transfer agreements
• Two additional specialized transfer opportunities