myFutureNC March Highlights
myFutureNC Engages Community College Presidents & Superintendents in Cross-Sector Discussions
Over 150 North Carolina community college presidents and school superintendents gathered to address our state’s most pressing education and workforce opportunities. This annual convening provides time to collaborate across sectors on promising practices and shared goals that lead to improved student outcomes, increased economic mobility, and a diverse talent pipeline that meets North Carolina’s growing workforce needs.
myFutureNC led a session where superintendents and community college presidents serving the same counties were seated together to review local county attainment goals; discuss current local cross-sector activities; consider big ideas to increase FAFSA completion; and identify how myFutureNC could support them moving forward.
College and Career Access
Twenty-one school districts and their community and regional support partners are participating in myFutureNC’s Spring 2023 FAFSA Pilot. The immediate goal of the pilot is to increase FAFSA completions and share federal, state, and local financial aid resources to increase attainment. This includes convening a FAFSA taskforce to analyze data and identify promising practices and strategies.
In partnership with NCSEAA and GEAR UP, myFutureNC will facilitate the first NC Financial Aid Summit: Unlock the Opportunities, June 20-21 at Wake Tech Community College for school district staff who directly support financial aid for students and families.
Supporting NC Education Partners
NC East Alliance: 29 schools, 14 community colleges, and myFutureNC participated in the STEM Education Alliance and discussed the importance of connecting students to careers.
Carolina Business Review: Chris William interviewed Cecilia Holden, Catherine Truitt, and Dr. Hill regarding solutions for lost educational attainment and strategies to increase opportunities for learners of all ages.
The Hunt Institute: myFutureNC joined Saint Augustine’s President Dr. Christine Johnston McPhail for a discussion about the current state of postsecondary education and attainment in NC during a bootcamp session for newly elected legislators.
Meeting with Adult Learners to Inform Policy
Central Carolina Community College President and myFutureNC Advisory Board Commissioner, Dr. Lisa Chapman, welcomed Regional Impact Manager Brett Brenton and Director of Policy and Advocacy Cory Biggs to campus for a discussion with adult learners who would have benefitted from the proposed R.A.I.S.E. Scholarship.
Olympia Brooks (center) completed the BioWork credential and is employed by Pfizer. She is currently completing her degree at Central Carolina.
NC Workforce Credentials
NC Workforce Credentials is reopening the online application for submission of additional credentials that align with the labor market. Additionally, the NC Workforce Credentials Advisory Council is finalizing policy recommendations to support alignment toward credentials, such as:
- Funding for training to incentivize attainment;
- Creation of communications and outreach strategies to promote awareness about industry-valued credentials; and,
- Embedding support of the work into government structures to enable long-term sustainability.
myFutureNC facilitated a webinar in partnership with the NC Department of Public Instruction and NC Department of Commerce – NCWorks to inform career & technical educators and school counselors as they guide students through opportunities regarding credentials. Attendees also received an online toolkit with success stories and other valuable resources.
State-led, Locally Owned and Driven
myFutureNC President and CEO Cecilia Holden, Board member and Institute for Emerging Issues National Advisory Board Chair Jack Cecil, and Director of NC State University’s Institute for Emerging Issues, Sarah Hall enjoyed the discussion at IEI’s Talent First NC convening.
Over 125 cross-sector education and county leaders gathered at Surry Community College to learn about Surry-Yadkin Works, a cross-sector work-based learning best practice. myFutureNC also met with Surry County Schools to discuss their local goal and plan to increase attainment.
The McDowell Pipeline: Growing our Own continues to initiate deeper understanding and partnerships among educational partners, local industries and business partners. Everything from cross-sector meetings to walking tours, this group is committed to strengthening educational attainment for a high quality and talented workforce in McDowell County.