2026 Champions for Attainment
myFutureNC is proud to honor the 2026 Champions for Attainment—a distinction awarded to individuals and organizations demonstrating outstanding dedication to expanding access, success, and completion for adult learners across North Carolina. Your work embodies the principles of myFutureNC’s Evidence-Based Attainment Strategies, driving meaningful change and bridging the state's attainment gap.
With the ambitious goal of ensuring 2 million North Carolinians hold postsecondary degrees and credentials by 2030, leadership is essential in empowering adult learners and strengthening our workforce. Through innovative approaches and unwavering commitment, these champions have transformed lives, paving the way for educational success and career readiness.
NCCCS Career Coaches
The NC Career Coach Program places community college–based career coaches in high schools to help students identify career goals and map clear education pathways early. Coaches provide one-on-one guidance aligned to local workforce demand and support access to dual-enrollment opportunities. In 2024–25, the program served more than 31,000 students statewide, helping reduce postsecondary attrition and increase credential attainment.
NC Health Talent Alliance
The NC Health Talent Alliance is a statewide public-private partnership led by the NC Chamber Foundation, NC AHEC, and the NC Center on the Workforce for Health to address North Carolina’s critical healthcare workforce shortages. Using employer-led, data-driven strategies, the Health Talent Alliance aligns education and training programs with real-time workforce demand across regions. This coordinated approach strengthens healthcare talent pipelines and expands access to industry-valued credentials statewide.
NC Reconnect
NC Reconnect is a statewide initiative focused on reengaging adults ages 25–44 who started at a community college but did not complete a credential. Through five cohorts and collaboration with colleges statewide, the initiative has reached more than 47,000 former students and successfully reengaged over 3,000 adult learners. Notably, approximately 25% of those contacted responded, and 23% of respondents re-enrolled, far exceeding the national re-enrollment average of just 3%.
The Forward Fund
The Forward Fund is North Carolina’s first pay-it-forward fund, providing zero-interest, outcomes-based loans to remove financial barriers to short-term, high-demand workforce credentials. Since launching in 2025, the fund has supported close to 200 learners, significantly increasing post-training earnings while meeting regional workforce needs. Its sustainable model reinvests repayments to expand access for future learners and strengthen the state’s workforce pipeline.
Surry-Yadkin Works
Surry‑Yadkin Works is a regional apprenticeship program connecting both high school students and adults to paid, real‑world work experiences while earning high school (when applicable) and college credit. Through strong partnerships among public schools, Surry Community College, employers, and community organizations, the program bridges classroom learning and workforce needs. Participants gain early career exposure, industry credentials, and momentum toward long‑term career and postsecondary success.
Bertie Attainment Coalition
The Bertie Attainment Coalition is a community-driven partnership aligning K–12 education, Martin and Roanoke-Chowan Community Colleges, workforce agencies, local government, and nonprofits to expand postsecondary attainment across Bertie County. Guided by clear, measurable goals, the coalition strengthens pathways for youth, opportunity youth, and adult learners through career guidance, work-based learning, and reengagement strategies. Its coordinated, data-informed approach reduces barriers to completion and connects residents to credentials aligned with high-demand jobs.