News and Features

The online resource NursingProcess.org has ranked Central Piedmont’s Associate Degree in Nursing program as the top ADN program in North Carolina.

According to its website, NursingProcess.org is a comprehensive resource to navigate information about nursing education and careers. Nursingprocess.org is staffed by an independent group of educators and nursing professionals committed to providing expert-driven information. The site has no affiliations with any college, university, or organization.

The ranking methodology includes enrollment rates, graduation rates, student-to-faculty ratio, first-time pass rates on the NCLEX-RN certification exam, and affordability.

Earlier this year, Central Piedmont announced it would expand its nursing programs to accommodate more students and help meet the need for more registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region.

Central Piedmont will expand its ADN Program from 200 to 300 students beginning May 2024. In turn, Central Piedmont will more than double the size of its Practical Nursing Program from 24 to 64 students.

By expanding its nursing programs, Central Piedmont will offer two new options for students – an accelerated ADN track and an LPN-to-associate-degree in nursing bridge program.

The accelerated associate degree in nursing program will give motivated students who can attend school full-time (up to 37 hours per week) the opportunity to complete their studies in 14-15 months. In addition to the rigorous class schedule, students will need to study outside of class 10-15 hours per week. The program will open with its first class in May 2024.

The LPN-to-ADN bridge option is designed to give licensed practical nurses a path to earn their associate degree in nursing and become registered nurses. The program will span three semesters and take one year to complete. The program, which will include on-campus and online classes, will open May 2025.

Central Piedmont’s ADN program is the oldest community college program in North Carolina.

For more information, see the Central Piedmont website, or call 704-330-2722, ext. 3479.

Agreement will help Central Piedmont students take direct transfer path to Lees-McRae

Leaders of Central Piedmont Community College and Lees-McRae College signed an agreement today to establish a Guaranteed Admission Program, providing Central Piedmont students a new transfer pathway to a bachelor’s degree.

The Lees-McRae Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP) will automatically admit Central Piedmont students who have earned an Associate of Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science or Associate in Fine Arts degree and meet specific grade-point-average requirements. Students in the program also will be eligible to receive merit scholarships up to 50 percent of Lees-McRae’s annual tuition.

Dr. Lee King, Lees-McRae College president; Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont; and other leaders from both institutions signed the agreement during a morning ceremony at Central Piedmont’s Central Campus, in Charlotte. The Lees-McRae Guaranteed Admission Program with Central Piedmont will open to students in August with the start of the fall 2024 semester.

“This agreement provides an incredible opportunity for more students to receive a Lees-McRae education,” King said. “We’re grateful for this partnership with Central Piedmont and for the great work they do as educators.”

Leaders from both institutions agree that transfer pathway agreements like the Guaranteed Admission Program are important in North Carolina’s efforts to increase the number of residents with a high-quality credential or post-secondary degree. The myFutureNC initiative has set a goal of two-million more North Carolinians with a credential or degree by 2030 to support the state’s economy.

“The Lees-McRae Guaranteed Admission Program is a wonderful opportunity for Central Piedmont students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree and beyond,” Deitemeyer said. “The Lees-McRae campus in Banner Elk and the college’s superb faculty and staff offer a unique environment for Central Piedmont graduates to grow and flourish. I am eager to see and hear about the great experiences and success our students will have at Lees-McRae.”

Former Charlotte Mayor and NC Governor Pat McCroy hosts Friday evening political show.

The new “UnSpun” political show will debut Friday, April 12, at 8 p.m., on WTVI PBS Charlotte. Former Charlotte Mayor and NC Governor Pat McCroy will host the show and seek to expose the spin of partisan politics through interviews, analysis, humor and viewer feedback.

McCroy brings PBS Charlotte a wealth of state and local political knowledge in the areas of transportation, public safety, health and human services and economic development. As a former member of the U-S Homeland Security Council after 9-11, a former US Senate candidate and former National co-chair of No Labels, McCroy also offers an understanding of national policy issues, campaigns and politics.

McCroy has been a sought-after political analyst on each of the major national political shows including working for NBC as a recurring guest on “Meet the Press.” In Charlotte, he has hosted a top-rated morning radio show for three years.

WTVI PBS Charlotte has served citizens in the Carolinas for more than 50 years. PBS Charlotte, licensed by Central Piedmont Community College, offers high quality, noncommercial, educational programs. PBS broadcasts include award-winning children’s programming, ground-breaking documentaries and original performances.

The station reaches more 1.1 million households across 13 counties in the Charlotte-metro area. PBS Charlotte actively supports local education, highlights local cultural events and promotes citizenship across all electronic media platforms to serve the public interest and further the mission of its parent institution.

Central Piedmont Community College is rolling out a new initiative to bring more adults who may have not completed a degree or job training program back to the classroom through a new Better Skills. Better Jobs. Better Future. campaign. 

Over the next few months, Central Piedmont will proactively share job training programs and college information with adults across Mecklenburg County to prepare them for the growing number of job openings. Interested adults are encouraged to visit Central Piedmont’s Better Skills Better Jobs website to learn more and to sign up to connect directly with the college. 

From public safety to nursing and health care, to business administration and welding, to information technology and advanced manufacturing, and many more, completing courses at Central Piedmont offers a direct pipeline to many of the region’s top employers.

“We are working hard every day to ensure Central Piedmont meets the needs of our community,” said Dr. Kandi W. Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont Community College. “This new 'Better Skills. Better Jobs. Better Future.' campaign will help us advance our mission by reaching out to adult learners. We want more adults to acquire the skills, credentials, and degrees they need for a better job, a bigger paycheck, and a brighter future for themselves and their families.”

Despite North Carolina’s booming economy, less than half of North Carolinians between the ages of 25-44 have the education and training needed to fill current and future job openings. Meanwhile, employers across Mecklenburg County are desperately seeking skilled talent to fill vacancies. 

The Better Skills. Better Jobs. Better Future. campaign includes direct outreach to adults who previously earned some college credits, but left without a degree or certification; special community events and earned media promotions; paid digital marketing and advertising, and customized materials designed to quickly help more adult learners reconnect and re-enroll.  

The vast majority of higher-wage jobs today require more than a high school diploma, which is why Central Piedmont, the John M. Belk Endowment, myFutureNC, and several other state and local partners are working together to support this special outreach campaign to attract more adult learners back to college.

“Many in our state are looking for new challenges or a fresh start, and our community colleges are a great place to begin their journey,” said M.C. Belk Pilon, President and Board Chair of the John M. Belk Endowment. “Our goal is for all North Carolinians to have access to an education that will lead to skills, credentials, and degrees, and ultimately the opportunities to achieve their dreams and to help meet the workforce needs across our state.”

Visit the Better Skills. Better Jobs. Better Future. website for more information.

Central Piedmont Community College is delighted to partner with the Atrium Health Women's Care Drive to Thrive, a groundbreaking mobile care unit dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of women's health services. This initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing healthcare access and equity in our community.

About the Women's Care Drive to Thrive:

Atrium Health’s Women's Care Drive to Thrive is a mobile unit offering a variety of essential services in a friendly and supportive environment. The unit is open to all community members and offers both scheduled and walk-in appointments, with bilingual staff available for Spanish-speaking patients.

Services Provided:

The mobile clinic includes a range of vital services, such as:

• Screening for cervical cancer, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted infections
• Access to birth control
• First-time prenatal visits and postpartum care
• Ultrasound services
• Mammogram referrals
• On-site social worker to help connect patients with resources

Cost and Insurance Information:

Service costs vary based on individual insurance plans. For those without insurance, a sliding scale is applied, often resulting in no charge.

Central Piedmont Operating Hours and Location:

The clinic operates on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on the Central Campus. The mobile unit sets up in Parking lot 11, at 1425 Elizabeth Ave., adjacent to the Leon Levine Health Sciences Center, which fronts Elizabeth Avenue and Charlottetowne Avenue.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 704.468.0137, though walk-ins also are welcome.

The new “Next NC Scholarship” is a financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue higher education by fully covering tuition and fees at any community college in the state. The assistance is not a loan, so students will not have to pay the money back. 

The Next NC Scholarship combines the federal Pell Grant with the state-funded financial aid program to form a simplified and predictable scholarship award that is easier to understand and makes education more affordable so a greater number of North Carolina students can pursue a degree or shorter-term credential. 

Qualifying students attending Central Piedmont or any other N.C. community college will receive at least $3,000 combined aid from the state NextNC Scholarship and the Federal Pell Grant if they have a Student Aid Index (SAI) equal to or less than $7,500 and an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) equal to or less than $80,000. For students who meet this criteria, their tuition and fees will be 100% covered. Students can also use the scholarship award to pay for books, food, and housing.

To apply for a Next NC Scholarship, students simply need to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. If students are eligible, they will receive the Next NC Scholarship with no additional forms to fill out. The Next NC Scholarship priority filing date is Aug. 15, 2024, for N.C. community colleges.

To receive the Next NC Scholarship, students must be: 

• A North Carolina resident who is eligible for in-state tuition 
• A high school graduate (high school equivalency completers are eligible) 
• From a household with an annual adjusted gross income (AGI) of $80,000 or less 
• Enrolled in an eligible community college curriculum program for the 2024-2025 academic year
• Taking at least six credit hours per semester (part-time students will receive a partial award) 
• Meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards of the school, the student attends 
• A student who has completed the 2024- 2025 FAFSA, with a resulting Student Aid Index (SAI) at or below 7,500 (once complete, Central Piedmont’s financial aid office will determine and confirm eligibility.)

For more information about the Next NC Scholarship Program and other financial aid opportunities at Central Piedmont Community College, visit the Grants page or contact a financial aid counselor via email.

Central Piedmont Community College will expand its nursing programs to accommodate more students and help meet the need for more registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region.

Central Piedmont will expand its Associate Degree in Nursing Program from 200 to 300 students beginning May 2024. In turn, Central Piedmont will more than double the size of its Practical Nursing Program from 24 to 64 students. The Dickson Practical Nursing Program will add a second start date, giving students the option of beginning the program in either January or August.

By expanding its nursing programs, Central Piedmont will offer two new options for students – an accelerated associate degree in nursing track and an LPN-to-associate-degree in nursing bridge program.

The accelerated associate degree in nursing program will give motivated students who can attend school full-time (up to 37 hours per week) the opportunity to complete their studies in 14-15 months. In addition to the rigorous class schedule, students will need to study outside of class 10-15 hours per week. The program will open with its first class in May 2024.

The LPN-to-ADN bridge option is designed to give licensed practical nurses a path to earn their associate degree in nursing and become registered nurses. The program will span three semesters and take one year to complete. The program, which will include on-campus and online classes, will open May 2025.

“Central Piedmont is excited to offer more opportunities for individuals to pursue careers in nursing,” said Karen Summers, Central Piedmont dean of health sciences. “Nursing is a high-demand, high-need health career field, particularly in the Mecklenburg County region. We look forward to welcoming more students into our nursing programs.”

See the Central Piedmont website for information about the more than 20 healthcare programs offered by the college or contact the college via email.

For information specifically about the accelerated associate degree in nursing program that will open in May, visit the college website.

Central Piedmont Community College held its 2023 winter commencement on Dec. 14, in Charlotte. Approximately 630 students “marched” and received their college credentials during the morning ceremony. More than 1,380 students were eligible to graduate.

Yamileth Navarrete, a new 2023 associate degree graduate in Construction Management Technology, addressed her peers by delivering the commencement address. It has become Central Piedmont’s tradition to have graduating students serve as commencement keynote speakers.

“Just like me, my fellow classmates have conquered possibilities. Some are single parents looking to better themselves for the sake of their children. Others decided that at 30-years old they wanted a career change, or some deciding to turn their life around and go to college after all no matter the mistakes they have made or what life has thrown at them. We all have that motivation and discipline that has led to us standing here as Central Piedmont graduates,” Navarrete shared. “For me, my motivation has been my family. I am the youngest of three girls, or as my dad likes to joke about now that I’m in construction, the closest he got to a son.”

The ceremony marked only the second time Central Piedmont has held a winter graduation. The college hosted its first-ever December commencement in 2022 to honor its graduates who completed their programs during the summer and fall semesters. The addition of a winter ceremony allows the college to celebrate its summer and fall graduates in the same timely way as its spring graduates.

Central Piedmont’s 2024 spring semester classes will start Jan. 8. See the Central Piedmont website for information on how to apply and register for spring classes.

Queens University of Charlotte announced that Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont Community College, has been selected as the 2023 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year. Now in its 38th year, the award and event celebrate female leaders who have made significant contributions to the Charlotte region through outstanding leadership and achievement.

Dr. Deitemeyer brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as Central Piedmont’s president. Her extensive and diverse background in community college administration spans over three decades across North Carolina, Kentucky, and Florida. She and her family moved to Charlotte in 2017, when she began leading the college as its fourth president.

“Kandi is a dynamic leader, educator, businesswoman, and now the senior chief executive of Charlotte’s thriving higher education landscape,” said Queens University President Dan Lugo. “Her strategic vision and unwavering commitment to student success have transformed Central Piedmont into a driving force of economic growth for Charlotte while empowering countless students and their families to achieve greater economic mobility. It is a great privilege and honor to recognize her with this year's Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year award.”

Dr. Deitemeyer, a community college graduate herself, values the transformative impact Central Piedmont has had on countless individuals and the community. She is passionate about the student experience and is unwavering in her commitment to ensuring student success.

“When I consider the women selected before me for this award, and when I reflect on the distinguished members of the selection committee, I am both honored and humbled,” said Dr. Deitemeyer. “To be chosen as the 2023 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year is such a wonderful distinction. I am so pleased and appreciative to join such an auspicious group of women.”

Dr. Deitemeyer serves on several local, statewide, and national committees. Locally, she serves on the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council, Leading on Opportunity Council, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s Executive Committee, Charlotte Center City Partners Board of Directors, Novant Health Greater Charlotte Board of Trustees (Vice Chair), Charlotte Country Day School Board, and the Charlotte Regional Collaborative for a Global Workforce.

She is an active member of the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents. As a commitment to future community college leadership, she serves as an advisory board member for the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research at North Carolina State University. Nationally, she is a member of the Roc Solid Foundation Board and has served as an executive board member of the American Association of Community Colleges. 

The distinction of being named Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year has been given to prominent figures in the Charlotte community including Diane Morais, president of Consumer and Commercial Banking at Ally Financial Inc; Tanya S. Blackmon, former executive vice president and chief diversity, inclusion and equity officer for Novant Health; Dena Diorio, Mecklenburg County Manager; Peggy Brookhouse, former president of Luquire George Andrews (LGA); and Carol Lovin, executive vice president and system chief of staff for Atrium Health.

The Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year award will be presented to Dr. Deitemeyer at a Queens luncheon March 7, 2024. To find out more about the luncheon and previous winners go to: https://www.queens.edu/attend/charlotte-businesswoman-of-the-year/ 

The Town of Matthews recently officially recognized Central Piedmont Community College in honor of the college’s 60th anniversary. On Sept.18, the college marked 60 years since it first opened its doors to students and began its work of service to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

The proclamation, signed by Matthews Mayor John Higdon, commends the college for providing “a robust education to students in a variety of programs, providing personalized and flexible learning that fits what, when, and how individuals choose to learn.” Further, the proclamation states that Central Piedmont provides “higher education opportunities, occupational programs, community education, workforce, and economic development opportunities that add to the area economy and address crucial workforce needs, empowering students with essential skills for future success.”

Central Piedmont’s Levine Campus opened in 1998 and is located in Matthews and is the college’s second-largest campus. Central Piedmont has provided educational opportunities since 1963 the North Carolina General Assembly passed the historic state community college bill. Opening as a fully integrated institution, the college combined the Central Industrial Education Center programs on Elizabeth Avenue and Mecklenburg College on Beatties Ford Road.

Today, with six campuses and two centers, Central Piedmont offers nearly 300 degree, diploma, and certificate programs, plus an array of non-degree offerings. Central Piedmont enrolls approximately 43,600 students annually in for-credit programs, continuing education, and basic skills courses, making it one of the largest colleges in the Carolinas. Over the years, over 100,000 individuals have earned credentials at Central Piedmont.

Over the next year, college advertising and printed materials will include an anniversary call out, “60 years of serving our community.”

Read the full proclamation.