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Central Piedmont operations update for Feb. 2
Central Piedmont will move to reduced operations on Monday, Feb. 2. All classes will be shifted to remote learning. In-person events will be canceled, and campuses and buildings will be closed.
The college will continue to monitor the weather and provide guidance for Tuesday, Feb. 3 by 4 p.m. on Monday.
Students and employees are encouraged to check their Central Piedmont email for more information. Updates will also be shared on Central Piedmont’s social media channels:
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Central Piedmont celebrates impact of Lowe's Foundation Gable Grant on skilled trades
- Renovated facilities increase number of classes offered
- Mobile trailers allow for educational opportunities across Mecklenburg County
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Over 500 credentials awarded in relation to grant since 2024
CHARLOTTE, NC - Central Piedmont Community College showcased the transformative impact of the Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grant with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new skilled trades facility on Jan. 15.
Thanks to the $1 million award that the college received in 2024, Central Piedmont renovated a previously vacant building to create the Levine Campus Learning Cottage, a facility housing construction, electrical, HVAC, and refrigeration labs. Beginning this semester, students will gain hands-on experience in these high-demand fields, preparing them for rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
The grant also funded the upfit of a trailer as a mobile electrical lab, with another portable trailer soon to become a mobile construction lab. These mobile units will enable the college to deliver skilled trades education to every corner of Mecklenburg County, removing barriers to access and ensuring opportunity for all.
Additional improvements include the build-out of a construction yard, renovation of the air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration lab at the Harper Campus, and investments in technology such as laptops and smartboards to enhance classroom instruction.
“This investment is more than a financial contribution — it’s a commitment to building futures, strengthening communities, and ensuring that skilled trades education is accessible to all,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. “Thanks to the Lowe’s Foundation and its partners, we are creating pathways to opportunity and shaping the next generation of skilled trades professionals.”
Beyond facilities, the Gable Grant has strengthened community partnerships with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Rebuilding Opportunities in Construction (ROC), and other organizations committed to workforce development and student success.
Since 2024, Central Piedmont has awarded 525 certifications related to the grant, with more to come. Each certification represents a student ready to enter the workforce, support their family, and contribute to the region’s economic vitality.
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Central Piedmont operations update for Jan. 31 – Feb. 1
Central Piedmont will move to reduced operations on Saturday, Jan. 31. All classes will be shifted to remote learning. In-person events will be canceled, and campuses and buildings will be closed.
The college will move to a full closure on Sunday, Feb. 1. All campuses and buildings will be closed, and all events and classes on these days will be canceled.
The college will continue to monitor the weather throughout the weekend and provide guidance for Monday, Feb. 2 by 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Students and employees are encouraged to check their Central Piedmont email for more information. Updates will also be shared on Central Piedmont’s social media channels:
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Central Piedmont operations update for Jan. 27-28
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Central Piedmont will move to reduced operations (Level 2) on Tuesday, Jan. 27. All classes will move to remote learning.
All campuses and buildings will be closed, and all in-person events will be canceled.
The college plans to resume normal operations on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
The college will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates as necessary. Students and employees are encouraged to check their Central Piedmont email for more information. Updates will also be shared on Central Piedmont’s social media channels:
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Central Piedmont Community College adjusts operations Jan. 24-26 due to weather
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Due to the potential threat of winter weather, Central Piedmont Community College is adjusting operations from Jan. 24-26.
On Saturday, Jan. 24, all classes will take place remotely, and all events on campus are cancelled.
On Sunday, Jan. 25 and Monday, Jan. 26, all classes and events are canceled. All campuses and buildings will be closed on these days.
The college will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates as necessary. Students and employees are encouraged to check their Central Piedmont email for more information. Updates will also be shared on Central Piedmont’s social media channels:
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Central Piedmont honors student achievement, community impact at December Commencement
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1,700+ graduates earned credentials with an impressive collective GPA of 3.34
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Nearly 300 graduates benefited from almost $1 million in scholarships
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Graduates demonstrated grit and discovered new paths, proving education transforms lives
CHARLOTTE, NC – On Dec. 16, Central Piedmont Community College awarded degrees, diplomas, and credentials to 1,711 students, celebrating their accomplishments and the promise of their future.
With over 200 more graduates than the Dec. 2024 class, the Dec. 2025 class represents a 15% increase in graduates and reinforces Central Piedmont’s historic growth. The group had a collective 3.34 GPA, showcasing the strength of their academic journeys.
The college has invested in holistic support systems to help students complete their educational pathways – from financial assistance, individual academic advising, and access to a professional clothing closet. Additionally, the college’s Wellness Center offers wrap-around services, such as counseling and connections to local food banks.
Community and donor support played a large role in the success of the graduates, with nearly 300 students benefiting from almost $1 million in scholarship support from the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation.
Kristen Alvarado Sorto, who received her associate degree in cosmetology, served as the graduation speaker. She highlighted the resilience of her journey as she balanced a full-time job with the pursuit of her degree.
“Central Piedmont has been a life-changing opportunity, not just through education, but through growth, community, and purpose,” Alvarado Sorto said. “This moment is only the beginning of what each of us can achieve. As we move forward, remember this one powerful truth: We are the generation rewriting our stories — one degree, one dream, and one victory at a time.”
Central Piedmont President Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer praised the graduates for their perseverance and potential.
“These graduates are the future leaders, innovators, and professionals who will make a significant difference in the world,” Deitemeyer said. “They didn’t just earn credentials, but discovered their capacity to solve problems, lift up their families, and strengthen their future.”
The class of 2025 includes nearly 275 graduates entering career fields such as healthcare, information technology, skilled trades, and transportation, roles that are essential to keeping the community healthy, connected, and thriving.
“Through hands-on learning, they uncovered their potential and defined their purpose,” Deitemeyer said. “As they step forward — in hospitals, tech firms, construction sites, and more — they will shape stronger communities and create lasting impact across the region.”
Central Piedmont also highlighted several graduates whose journeys reflect courage, adaptability, and purpose:
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Mariame Boujlil – After years of caregiving and work, Boujlil graduates at age 61 with a Human Services degree, showing that dreams never expire — they wait for courage.
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Earl Patterson III – Once doubtful about college due to a learning disability, Patterson III found his path in Simulation and Game Development, proving perseverance pays off.
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Carla Strickland – After starting as a dually enrolled student with plans for accounting, Strickland discovered a passion for welding and thrived in a field where few women are represented.
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Central Piedmont, Western Governors renew transfer agreement
- Partnership provides affordable pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s degree online
- More than 350 Central Piedmont graduates have continued their education at WGU
- Top fields of study for transferring students include IT, business, and healthcare
CHARLOTTE, NC – Central Piedmont Community College and Western Governors University have extended their partnership agreement, guaranteeing a path for Central Piedmont students to pursue bachelor’s degrees at one of the nation’s leading online universities.
The transfer pathway is open to students who have graduated with an associate degree from Central Piedmont, and students and employees are eligible to apply for the WGU Community College Partner Scholarship, which is valued at up to $3,500.
Since the partnership began in 2020, over 350 Central Piedmont students have continued their education at WGU, increasing from 21 students during the first year of the partnership to more than 100 each of the past two academic years.
Top fields of study pursued by students include:
- Information technology and software engineering
- Business, accounting, and finance
- Public health and nursing
“This extension builds on Central Piedmont’s long-standing focus of helping students move forward with confidence toward their academic and career goals,” said Dr. Heather Hill, provost of Central Piedmont. “Together with Western Governors University, we’re driving innovation in higher education – creating programs that match real workforce needs, making it easier for students to keep the credits they’ve earned, and helping them finish their degrees faster.”
“The Greater Charlotte region has seen tremendous growth in employment in the past few years, and Central Piedmont plays a critical role in preparing the local workforce for success,” said Ben Coulter, Ed.D., chancellor for WGU in North Carolina. “This renewed transfer agreement will help graduates continue their educational pursuits online while juggling work and family obligations.”
Central Piedmont remains committed to transfer success, offering 18 guaranteed admission programs with colleges and universities across the Carolinas, along with agreements with four online or out-of-state institutions to give students flexible, affordable pathways to a bachelor’s degree.
WGU offers more than 120 fully accredited online bachelor’s, master’s and professional certificate programs spanning business, technology, healthcare, and K-12 education. Its flexible, competency-based model allows students to work at their own pace with support from program mentors, and tuition for bachelor’s degrees is priced at approximately $4,000 per six-month term. Students may complete as many courses as they choose within a term, creating a path to faster degree completion and workforce entry. WGU has more than 10,000 graduates across North Carolina.
Editor’s Note: To support our branding initiatives, please refer to the college as:
- First reference: Central Piedmont Community College
- Second reference: Central Piedmont
- The college no longer uses the “CPCC” acronym.
About Central Piedmont
Central Piedmont Community College is highly accessible and convenient to people of all ages who seek a real-world, affordable, hands-on education that will transform their lives and strengthen the economic, social, and cultural environment of Mecklenburg County. Central Piedmont is also a smart investment. At a fraction of the cost, students learn by doing, receiving a combination of technical and soft skills training from quality faculty who prepare them to enter the workforce and make a difference in their family, business, community, and world. Founded in 1963, Central Piedmont Community College has eight locations throughout Mecklenburg County, offering nearly 300-degree, diploma, and certification programs; customized corporate training; market-focused continuing education; and special interest classes. For more information, visit cpcc.edu, or connect with the college on social media at cpcc.edu/social
About WGU
Western Governors University, the nation’s leading nonprofit, online university, is transforming higher education to be more student-centric, affordable, accessible to all, and relevant to the workforce. Established in 1997 by 19 visionary U.S. governors, WGU creates life-changing pathways to opportunity for those underserved by traditional institutions — working adults, historically underrepresented communities and a diverse, growing number of learners looking for a flexible, online model that better suits their life circumstances. WGU’s competency-based education model allows students to demonstrate mastery as they progress through programs at their own pace. Learn more at wgu.edu. Follow WGU on LinkedIn.
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Four new art exhibitions open across Central Piedmont campuses
Central Piedmont is showcasing a fresh wave of creativity this fall, with four unique exhibitions now open to the campus community. From thought-provoking history to Charlotte-inspired sketches, there’s something for everyone to explore.
TERRI YACOVELLI EXHIBITION | LEVINE CAMPUS
A series of encaustic paintings that reimagine landscapes as fluid, internal spaces shaped by memory, perception, and emotion. Expect abstraction, layered textures, and bold color that invite contemplation.
“THE UNSCENE SOUTH” BY CHARLES EADY | CENTRAL CAMPUS, DOVE GALLERY
A powerful exploration of Black life in the Antebellum South. Challenges traditional narratives and offers fresh perspectives on history.
“A LOVE LETTER FROM CHARLOTTE” BY MIKE DAIKUBARA | CENTRAL CAMPUS, NORTH CLASSROOM
Features 60 on-location sketches capturing Charlotte’s landmarks, hidden corners, and evolving cityscape. Daikubara, an artist and educator, has been sketching daily since 2000.
NEW 3D ART EXHIBITION OPEN | LEVINE CAMPUS
A collaborative 3D art exhibition, featuring work from Jackie Radford and Patricia Raible, exploring the book form as artistic expression. Investigates how structure influences content and vice versa, blending words, visuals, and materials.
These exhibitions highlight both local talent and broader cultural narratives, giving students, faculty, and the community a chance to engage with art that sparks reflection, dialogue, and inspiration.
Be sure to stop by the galleries this semester and experience the creativity happening right here on campus.
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Newsweek names Central Piedmont to America’s Top Online Colleges 2026 list
CHARLOTTE, NC – Central Piedmont Community College ranked 91st in the America’s Top Online Colleges 2026 list, according to Newsweek and Statista, Inc. Central Piedmont’s ranking is fourth-best among 13 North Carolina institutions that made the list.
Central Piedmont offers a wide range of programs that can be completed partially or fully online, providing flexibility for students balancing education with work and life commitments. Options include associate degrees in arts, science, and applied science, covering pathways such as business, computer science, criminal justice, biology, and teacher preparation.
Students can also pursue programs in information technology, public safety administration, and simulation and game development, along with numerous certificates and diplomas in fields like business administration, construction management, and cybersecurity.
During the 2024-25 academic year, nearly 15,000 curriculum students took at least one online class each semester.
The America’s Top Online Colleges 2026 rankings were developed by Newsweek and Statista, Inc., based on a comprehensive survey of more than 10,000 online learners, along with additional research. Participants evaluated their colleges and universities across six key categories: organization, student support, affordability, reputation, success outcomes, and practical relevance. They also rated their overall satisfaction and likelihood of recommending their institution. These insights, combined with publicly available performance metrics, informed each school’s final score and national ranking.
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New continuing education programs rolled out for fall
Central Piedmont launched several new continuing education programs this fall to help students build in-demand skills across a range of fast-growing industries.
These short-term, skill-focused courses are designed to give students a head start in high-demand fields like hospitality, IT, aviation, and healthcare.
What’s new:
JumpSTART: Careers in Hotel & Lodging Operations
• Explore career pathways in hospitality and lodging management.
Information Technology (IT)
• AI Foundations: From Curiosity to Career
• Learn the basics of artificial intelligence and how to turn interest into opportunity.
Workplace Tech Skills
• Become proficient in the essential digital tools that power the modern workplace.
Private Pilot Ground School (Aviation)
• Take off with foundational training for aspiring pilots.
Radiology
• CT Scan
• Mammography
• Specialized training is available for those pursuing careers in radiologic technology.