Dear Colleagues,

As we reflect on our first six years, the Belk Center’s mission remains as focused and urgent as ever: to equip community college leaders with the tools, research and relationships needed to advance student success. In that time, we’ve engaged with all 58 of North Carolina’s community colleges, listened closely to our partners and grown as a trusted partner and collaborator – across our state and beyond.

The 2024-2025 year continued that momentum. We engaged leaders at every stage of their careers – from emerging professionals to seasoned presidents – through initiatives like NC State College of Education’s Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership, the North Carolina Community College Leadership Program and our newly launched Aspiring Presidents Institute. At the same time, we expanded professional learning opportunities for faculty and staff at community colleges through our four statewide Teaching and Learning Hubs.

We explored what works by partnering on large-scale research efforts – including the North Carolina Community College System’s new Boost program and the Foothills Forward regional collaboration – and by lifting up innovative practices from our rural-serving colleges, from contextualized coursework to accelerated terms. We continued our deep engagement with adult learners through NC Reconnect and lifted up student voices in our new Adult Learner Spotlight Series. We also marked a major milestone with the 10th anniversary of the Dallas Herring Lecture, where more than 1,500 community college practitioners joined us – from around the state and across the country – to reflect on the transformative power of loving our students to success.

In the coming year, we look forward to introducing a refined strategic direction that will further sharpen our focus and guide our work to equip leaders, elevate best practices, and advance the success of our colleges and the students they serve.

This year, we were immensely grateful for the steadfast support of NC State leadership. As Chancellor Randy Woodson retired after nearly 15 years of extraordinary service, we thank him for his unwavering commitment to the success of our students and the growth of the Belk Center. We also warmly welcomed Kevin Howell as NC State’s new chancellor. He is a longtime friend of the Belk Center and a champion of community colleges – and we look forward to the next chapter of our work together under his leadership.

In the pages of the Annual Report, you’ll find a lot to celebrate about our work – none of which would be possible without the dedication of our talented team, the support of our colleagues at the John M. Belk Endowment and the collaboration of our many strategic partners. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Together, we are not just expanding what’s possible for community colleges – we’re opening doors, changing lives and strengthening the communities they serve.

Warmly,
Audrey J. “AJ” Jaeger, Ph.D.
Executive Director of the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research,
W. Dallas Herring Professor of Community College Education, NC State College of Education