News and Features

The Dickson Foundation of Charlotte has awarded Central Piedmont Community College a $500,000 grant to develop a new licensed practical nursing program at the college that will provide students with an accelerated path to a meaningful, family-sustaining career in the healthcare industry and address the employment needs of Charlotte’s healthcare sector. Thanks to the Foundation’s generous gift, the program will permanently be named the Dickson Licensed Practical Nursing Program at Central Piedmont.

“This gift will provide us with the resources we need to create a quality program,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. “The funds will not only allow us to provide financial aid to our most in need students, but also enable us to hire full- and part-time faculty, develop challenging course content and purchase program-specific material and equipment that will produce quality graduates prepared to enter the workforce.”

Licensed practical nurses serve an important role in the healthcare delivery system, ensuring quality care for patients. They assist physicians and registered nurses in providing critical, essential services, including monitoring patients’ vital signs and supervising nursing assistants and collaborating with other members of the healthcare team. Licensed practical nurses are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, private practices, medical offices and with home healthcare agencies.

Central Piedmont’s licensed practical nursing program will enable students to earn their professional credential in one year, preparing them for employment more quickly. This is especially important, given the median licensed practical nursing salary is $48,055, which offers a viable economic-mobility pathway for low-income residents in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

“The Foundation values and appreciates Central Piedmont’s important education and career training role in our community,” said R. Stuart Dickson, chairman of the board of directors for The Dickson Foundation of Charlotte. “The college is a critical resource in expanding opportunities for the citizens of Mecklenburg County. This grant addresses two of The Dickson Foundation’s priorities – education and healthcare. We are pleased to partner with Central Piedmont to begin and name this new program.”

The Dickson Licensed Practical Nursing Program at Central Piedmont will be based on the college’s Central Campus and will focus on patient data collection and subsequent care, safety and hygiene, medications, use of medical records, nursing procedures, applying anatomy and physiology, professional behavior, and healthcare law and policy.

The first cohort of licensed practical nursing students is expected to begin classes in fall 2021 and graduate in summer 2022. Upon completing the program, all of the program’s graduates will take the National Council Licensure Examination in Practical Nursing to become a nationally-certified licensed practical nurse. It is anticipated the program will begin with 18 students in its first year and grow to 40 students in the second year.

Central Piedmont will have the option to add students in subsequent years to meet student and workforce demand.

The Dickson Foundation of Charlotte is a longtime supporter of Central Piedmont and of healthcare and education in the Charlotte area. The Foundation’s grant will help the college further progress toward its Powering a Stronger Future campaign goal of $40 million.

Individuals interested in learning more about the Dickson Licensed Practical Nursing Program at Central Piedmont can contact Jeanette Cheshire, associate dean of nursing and nurse aid at Central Piedmont, at 704-330-6451 or via email.

Central Piedmont is excited to announce Merancas IV, a new classroom building on its Merancas Campus in Huntersville, NC, will open its doors for select in-person courses in January 2021.

The new 67,660 square-foot facility, designed by ADW Architects and constructed by Rodgers, features:

• a campus library, including a computer classroom and student technology center
• four science labs
• nine general classrooms
• Middle College at Merancas Campus classrooms and offices
• reading and math labs
• student commons areas, including multi-purpose rooms, Student Government Association lounge and offices
• student study and lounge areas
• a campus administration office suite
• faculty office areas

“One of Central Piedmont’s core values is being student-centered and focused on student success,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. “With this in mind, our new facility will help us better serve our students by providing them with additional spaces to not only study and learn, but also to engage with their peers and grow their leadership skills through our many Student Life programs and Student Government initiatives.”

The $27.5 million project was funded with Mecklenburg County 2013 Bonds.

If you are a student and are not sure if you have a class in the new facility, courses in this building have “Merancas IV” as the location on course schedules.

To familiarize yourself with the new building's location, view the Merancas Campus map.

Congratulations to the following Central Piedmont students who joined a binational team of Iraqi students and placed second in the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge, a project administered by IREX and funded by the Stevens Initiative, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. They are:

• John Dale Ardiosa
• Nancy Guerrero
• Aiden Keith
• Aakriti Lakshmanan
• Anny Leon
• Jenna Louis
• Devin McKillop
• Eslam Shaalia
• Gwen Thompson

The Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge is a virtual exchange initiative that supports workforce development in the U.S., Iraq, and Jordan. Community college students from the U.S. and university students from Iraq and Jordan team up to solve global challenges facing the business sector across industries.

The program improves global citizenship, strengthens problem-solving skills, and develops enduring connections, while enhancing students’ job skills through online collaboration.

The Central Piedmont/Iraqi team created the mobile app "planet eARTh," which provides awareness of the impact environmental damage can have on Charlotte and Sulaimani through local artwork. Explore their video pitch and business concept.

Kudos to Central Piedmont’s Camelia Taheri, discipline chair of Global Business, and Nadine Russell, director of Global Learning, who facilitated the team over the past eight weeks. 

Learn more about the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge.

Learn more about global learning at Central Piedmont.

Central Piedmont is collaborating with Cognizant, a Fortune 200 technology and professional services company, to provide a new customized digital skills training program to help aspiring IT professionals develop the skills necessary to succeed as a full stack engineer.

Slated for launch in January 2021, the program, supported through the North Carolina Community College Customized Training Program, will be free of charge to qualified individuals and will incorporate virtual on-the-job “pre-apprentice” experience guided by Cognizant professionals, along with classroom curriculum. Individuals who successfully complete the program will earn a nationally recognized education credential and have the opportunity to interview with Cognizant for a paid one-year apprenticeship. Cognizant plans to hire up to 25 graduates of the program in 2021.

“Central Piedmont is proud and delighted to partner with Cognizant and to help support Cognizant’s growth in Mecklenburg County,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. “The apprenticeship strategy Cognizant and the college is undertaking is innovative and could become a model for other growth companies who want to develop a sustainable talent pipeline.”

“Cognizant is pleased to be collaborating with Central Piedmont on this new initiative,” said Eric Westphal, senior director, Global Workforce Strategy and Operations, for Cognizant. “We are committed to pioneering workforce development strategies that both contribute to bridging the skills gap and uplifting the local communities while meeting our business goals. This new apprenticeship program will provide an avenue for developing more local talent to compete for high-demand technology jobs, as well as helping to fill Cognizant’s own need for skilled, digital talent.”

The initial eight-week pilot program will be open to up to 25 participants. The classroom curriculum and unpaid “pre-apprenticeship” aspect of the program will teach JAVA Programming as a foundation skill. Individuals can apply by submitting an interest form and résumé online to the program and sitting for the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® offered at Central Piedmont. Training will begin in late January 2021 with selected applicants.

Cognizant currently employs more than 1,000 workers in Mecklenburg County. The program is being delivered as part of the North Carolina Community College System’s Customized Training Program, which provides education, training, and support services for new, expanding, and existing eligible business and industries throughout the state. To be considered for the program businesses must demonstrate an appreciable capital investment, the creation of new jobs, and/or the deployment of new technology.

Central Piedmont Community College received more than $700,000 from JPMorgan Chase to meet community needs for economically mobile career pathways and pandemic-related relief. A $500,000 grant will help the college develop new, fully online training pathways in high-demand IT fields, including cybersecurity, health IT and forensic accounting. The funds will provide for course development, instructional capacity, technology and student support services.

In addition, JPMorgan Chase will extend a second grant of $235,000 to Central Piedmont to provide sub-grants to 11 Mecklenburg County non-profit organizations that are serving populations severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant funds will help them meet increased demands for services like housing, food, healthcare, legal assistance and technology among the Charlotte area’s most vulnerable populations.

“When JPMorgan Chase comes to a city, one of the first things we do is identify community partners that will help us not only connect with the community, but also actually make a long-term and sustainable impact on its residents and their economic mobility. We found a partner in Central Piedmont Community College,” said Dekonti Mends-Cole, vice president of corporate responsibility at JPMorgan Chase. “Central Piedmont does not just educate students; it also identifies the needs of the surrounding community and provides the tools and the programs to address them. We’re pleased to partner with the college to help the residents of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County thrive.”

These two grants are the latest in a history of support JPMorgan Chase has provided Central Piedmont. Since 2014, JPMorgan Chase has invested approximately $1.6 million in the college to support multiple programs, including truck driver training, electrical vehicle technology training, global logistics and distribution, and a customized training program for workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Approximately 525 students have earned credentials though these programs.

“What an incredible blessing it is to be included in a partnership with JPMorgan Chase, Central Piedmont and 10 other nonprofits to help people in need in our community. At Loaves & Fishes, we see the faces of children, families and seniors here in our community who don't know where their next meal is going to come from. It fills my heart to know this funding will help to ensure everyone in need will have a full plate for the days, weeks and months to come,” said Tina Postel, executive director of Loaves & Fishes.

“JPMorgan Chase understands well and supports generously Central Piedmont’s mission of helping students achieve career success and greater economic mobility by providing pathways to skills training that is relevant in our global economy,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont president. “JPMorgan Chase is a true partner and leader in this community’s work to ensure a greater number of our neighbors get the opportunity and support to build family-sustaining careers. The college and Charlotte region are blessed to have such an intuitive and responsive partner like JPMorgan Chase.”

Central Piedmont Community College and Bank of America today announced a new $1-million jobs initiative partnership to help students of color successfully complete the education and training necessary to enter the workforce and embark on a path to success in the Charlotte region. This initiative builds on Bank of America’s ongoing work in the communities it serves to address underlying issues facing individuals and communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by the current health crisis.

“Bank of America has a long-standing commitment to advancing economic mobility in the U.S., and particularly in Charlotte region,” said Bank of America Charlotte Market President Charles Bowman. “Our focus on workforce development has been integral in creating opportunities for local residents, and for that reason we have a history of supporting Central Piedmont. Recent events that heighten the urgency to advance racial equity have driven us to do more, and this financial grant is a first step of that commitment.”

The initiative is part of the bank’s recent nationwide $1-billion, four-year commitment to advance racial  equity and economic opportunity, and a $25-million commitment recently announced to enhance upskilling and reskilling for Black and Hispanic-Latino individuals.This year alone, the bank provided $3.3 million in grants to nonprofits that are connecting individuals to skills and employment in the Charlotte region.

“Central Piedmont is grateful and excited to be part of Bank of America’s national initiative to create educational and career success opportunities for Black and Hispanic-Latino students,” said Central Piedmont President Kandi Deitemeyer. “This generous grant will enable the college to support these students in developing the skills that lead to family-sustaining careers in high-demand employment fields. Bank of America’s thoughtful philanthropic investment promises significant benefits for students, their families, and our entire community.” 

The national $25-million initiative includes partnerships with nearly two dozen community colleges, including Central Piedmont, that serve predominately Black and Hispanic-Latino students, public historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and public Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs). Bank of America is also partnering with and providing funding to the Aspen Institute to convene the participating higher education institutions for technical and programmatic assistance and to share best practices.

“Today is a special day for Central Piedmont Community College and the thousands of students it serves,” said Dena R. Diorio, Mecklenburg County Manager. “For more than 50 years Central Piedmont has played an integral part in providing educational, training and workforce opportunities, making the college a key player in improving the economic trajectory for many of its students.” 

“Central Piedmont Community College is a treasured asset to Charlotte, not only as a solid workforce partner, but also as one of the key contributors responsible for our city’s prospering economic mobility,” shared Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. “By offering careers, collaboration, and higher learning to our residents, this institution is a shining illustration that our city continues to flourish.”

Bank of America, in partnership with the Charlotte regions’ corporate community and local public sector, will continue to work to ensure the workforce development programs target specific hiring needs to create a clearly defined career pathway to future employment. 

“We’re incredibly grateful for our partnership with Central Piedmont Community College, as academic medicine continues to grow in importance for Atrium Health,” said Atrium’s Jim Dunn, Executive Vice President & chief people and culture officer. “The workforce development programs at Central Piedmont open up tremendous opportunities for local students to obtain the skills and experience to secure fulfilling and rewarding careers. From Certified Nursing Assistant training, to Nursing and Allied Health career pathways, the Charlotte area is fortunate to have such a local talent pipeline partner to help fill a variety of roles within our Atrium Health enterprise.”

The most recent financial commitment builds on support the bank has provided to other area higher education institutions focused on serving students of color and strengthening community economic mobility. Recipients include historically Black institutions of higher education, Johnson C Smith University and Livingstone College, as well as UNC Charlotte, Queens University and Johnson & Wales University.

“Central Piedmont provides much-needed opportunities for underrepresented populations to access higher education and acquire the skills needed to establish meaningful careers,” said President and CEO of myFutureNC Cecilia Holden. “The college’s short-term certificate and two-year degree programs are aligned with the needs of employers and offer direct pathways to in-demand jobs and greater economic mobility. Expanding higher education and career preparation access to underserved, low-income individuals will have immeasurable impact on their lives and the economic vitality of North Carolina.”

Additionally, as part of its “Executive on Loan” program, Bank of America executive Anna-Maria (Ria) Nicholls serves as Chief Diversity Officer to Central Piedmont and plays a key role in helping them shape an institutional vision for equity, diversity, and inclusion.

According to a recent article published by Central Piedmont partner Novant Health, certified medical assistants are in high demand. In fact, the profession is expected to grow 19 percent over the next decade as the baby boomer generation grows older.

As this population ages, physicians across the country will need help addressing this demographic’s preventative medical service needs. Certified medical assistants can help, easing doctors’ workloads by providing assistance in the following areas:

• administration (organizing medical records, scheduling appointments, and receiving patients)
• clinical care (recording vital signs, drawing blood, assisting with medical examinations, and administering immunizations)
• lab work (from collection to testing)

For more than 50 years, Central Piedmont’s certified medical assistant program has been producing graduates who are equipped with the above skill sets and prepared to pursue a successful career in healthcare.

Our graduates are critical thinkers and problem solvers who enter the workforce with a high degree of technical skills, effectiveness, and efficiency. As a result, they are highly recruited by physician’s offices, urgent care centers, medical clinics, outpatient surgery centers, and ambulatory centers across the region.

Learn more about this in-demand career or how to enroll in Central Piedmont’s certified medical assistant program.

The Lowes Foundation has awarded Central Piedmont a $52,500 grant, as part of the college's Powering a Stronger Future campaign, to support five Opportunity Scholarships at the college.

Central Piedmont’s Opportunity Scholarship Initiative provides low-income students with a pathway to a degree and greater economic mobility by covering the full cost of attendance – tuition, books, and fees – for two years. Recipients also receive a notebook computer to meet their digital needs.

Central Piedmont’s $52,500 grant is part of a larger, $9.25 million commitment the Lowes Foundation made to the greater Charlotte region on Oct. 13, to support some of the most critical challenges facing Charlotte today: providing safe affordable housing, continuing to grow the skilled trade industry, ensuring access to technology, and boosting small businesses hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Central Piedmont will use its grant funds to support students participating in the ROC (Rebuilding Opportunities in Construction) program – an initiative that trains and certifies high school students for in-demand trade skills in the construction industry – and/or students who are interested in pursuing a construction-focused career pathway.

Learn more about the Lowes Foundation’s $9.25 million commitment and the many organizations it will benefit.

Learn more about scholarship opportunities at Central Piedmont or the college’s partnership with the ROC program.

Central Piedmont and Queens University of Charlotte announced the launch of its RoyalUp program – a new pathway to a bachelor’s degree that aims to expand college access to more students – on Sept. 25.

Students who enroll in RoyalUp will take their first two years of classes at Central Piedmont and finish their bachelor’s degree at Queens. Students who maintain a 2.5 GPA or above are guaranteed admission as well as a $10,000 annual scholarship at Queens. This plan offers a new, cost-effective and direct pathway for Central Piedmont students who want to pursue a four-year degree.

“This public-private partnership is unique and will be a great benefit to students in Mecklenburg County. We are excited to offer this option and pathway to our students who will thrive at Queens, where they will enjoy small class sizes, relationships with professors and a strong surrounding community,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. “At the same time, this partnership is a great example of the higher-education community in Charlotte working together to build more avenues to greater economic mobility.”

Learn more about the RoyalUp program.

Missed the event? Watch the digital recording of the live announcement.

Central Piedmont Community College is participating in the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation Bridge to Career Cohort Program, an initiative that seeks to remove financial barriers for students seeking to obtain state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials through the workforce continuing education division of their local community college. The goal is to help students establish sustainable wage careers within their local communities.

Central Piedmont is one of 50 community colleges in the state to receive funding for up to 30, $500 scholarships, as well as an additional $3,000 to hire an Education Navigator through the Bridge to Career Cohort Program. The Education Navigator is responsible for administering the program, guiding the cohort through the program and connecting them with the soft skills and interview preparation trainings needed to alleviate any barriers to job attainment.

The scholarship program will be administered by Central Piedmont’s College and Career Readiness department with support from the college’s Financial Aid office and the Grants Administration team. The College and Career Readiness department will identify and select eligible students currently enrolled or planning to enroll in the college’s commercial driver license, welding and phlebotomy programs; and provide support services to the student cohort. Once named a scholarship recipient, students may apply their scholarship monies toward registration fees, books, certification fees, course supplies or any other educational expenditures charged to their college account.

“Our team is excited to help students receive the workforce training and assistance they need to find employment opportunities in Mecklenburg County and beyond,” said Sheena Ashley, director of career development and NextGen at Central Piedmont. “We will walk with them every step of the way, providing them with support services, such as advising, career planning and coaching, to ensure their personal and professional success.”

All 58 N.C. community colleges were invited to participate in the Bridge to Career Cohort Program for FY 2020-2021. To apply for the increased scholarship funds available through the cohort program (scholarships: $15,000; program support staff: $3,000), Central Piedmont had to submit a Request for Funding Proposal.

To learn more about the SECU Bridge to Career Program, the eligibility requirements and more, please visit cpcc.edu/financial-aid/scholarships.