Research Publications

Sep 14, 2023

Belk Center Releases Second Edition of the Adult Learner Guidebook

The Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research is pleased to announce the launch of the Adult Learner Guidebook, Second Edition. Following the successful release of the Adult Learner… 

Feb 10, 2023

Belk Center Releases Teaching & Learning Hubs Inaugural Report

As part of the effort to support equitable student success, the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research has collaborated with learning and evaluation partner, DVP-PRAXIS LTD, on an… 

Jan 24, 2023

New research by Steve Turner, Ed.D., examines Hispanic student experiences with high-impact practices and transfer success

In recent years, high-impact practices (HIPs) have been proven as a critical component of student retention, engagement and persistence for students across all backgrounds. More specifically, these engaging and hands-on… 

Jul 13, 2022

Belk Center Releases Adult Learner Guidebook to Aid in the Recruitment and Retainment of Adult Learners at North Carolina Community Colleges

The Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research, in partnership with the John M. Belk Endowment (JMBE), myFutureNC and the North Carolina Community College System, is pleased to announce… 

Oct 14, 2021

New Report: Exploring Pathways to Completion by Field of Study for North Carolina Community College Transfer Students

“In both sections of the report, we focus on a transfer student’s pathway to bachelor’s degree completion, and we provide information about transfer student success at various points along this pathway.” In this new report, “Exploring Pathways to Completion by Field… 

Jun 28, 2021

New Report: The Impact of North Carolina’s Comprehensive Articulation Agreement Among Community College Transfer Students

In this new report on transfer, "The Differential Impacts of North Carolina’s Revised Comprehensive Articulation Agreement on the Outcomes of Black, Latin*, and White NCCCS-to-UNC-System Transfer Students," authors Melissa Whatley, Rachel Worsham, and Jonathan Loss examine the early impact of North Carolina’s revised (2014) Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) – designed to ease the transfer pathways between the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and the University of North Carolina (UNC) System – and its impact on Black, Latin*, and white transfer students. 

Jun 16, 2021

Viewpoints from College and Career Access Programs: New Report by Paul Schnorenberg, Greyson Norcross, Laura Maldonado, Patti Harris, Andrea DeSantis, and Sarah Deal

“In North Carolina, myFutureNC is working to ensure that by 2030, 2 million North Carolinians have a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree. This goal is necessary as only 1.6 million… 

Apr 22, 2021

Kenzie Bell, Jemilia S. Davis, Ph.D., and Callie Edwards, Ph.D. share policy brief on high-quality credentials for childcare workers

“If NC is to truly invest in our early childhood workforce, and reach the goal of 2 million North Carolinians holding high-quality credentials or postsecondary degrees by 2030, we must… 

Oct 28, 2020

Research Brief by Kara A. Battle, Ed.D. on Degree Completion in North Carolina Through a Dual Enrollment Pathway

Graduate of the Adult and Community College Education Ed.D. Program, Kara A. Battle, Ed.D. has developed a research brief about her study on the experiences of students who participated in… 

Jun 26, 2020

Research Brief by Belk Center’s Dr. Laura G. Maldonado on Postsecondary Participation in SkillsUSA

Dr. Laura G. Maldonado, Lead Research Associate with the Belk Center, has developed a research brief about her qualitative case study which explored how participation in SkillsUSA, a career and technical student organization (CTSO), influenced community college students’ preparedness for the workforce and connection to campus.