The institute is part of a new three-year initiative led by the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research at North Carolina State University. Supported by a grant from  Ascendium  Education Group, the initiative focuses on strengthening strategic planning and leadership development at rural community colleges to better align with workforce needs and improve student outcomes.  

 
R-CCC is among a select group of colleges invited to take part in the inaugural cohort, which will begin this summer. The Strategic Planning Institute will provide a blended learning experience that includes convenings, coaching and applied planning , guiding  institutions through the development and implementation of their next strategic plans.  

“This opportunity represents a significant step forward in strengthening Roanoke-Chowan Community College’s ability to serve our students and community,” said Dr. Murray J. Williams, president of R-CCC. “By participating in the Strategic Planning Institute, we are deepening our commitment to intentional, data-informed planning that aligns education with workforce needs and expands economic mobility for the residents we serve.”  

The Strategic Planning Institute is a key  component  of the Belk Center’s Advancing North Carolina’s Rural Workforce program. The work  builds on  years of collaboration between the Belk Center and the North Carolina Community College System  (NCCCS)  to pilot strategic planning services and research tailored to rural-serving institutions.  

Across North Carolina, 46 of the state’s 58 community colleges are  designated  as rural or  rural-serving , underscoring the critical role these institutions play in local economic development and workforce preparation. However, more than 80% of strategic plans at these colleges are outdated or nearing  expiration , creating challenges in responding to  rapid technological change and evolving employer demands. The institute aims to close that gap by equipping college leaders with the tools and  expertise  needed to develop  timely , actionable plans.  

Grant funding will support two primary pillars of professional development :  
 

The effort is aligned with the N CCCS ’s strategic priorities to build a world-class workforce, align education with employer  needs  and transform the system to support long-term student success. By strengthening institutional capacity,  policies  and culture, the initiative is designed to produce measurable improvements in student outcomes.  

“Rural community colleges are the economic engines of their communities, but to maximize their impact , leadership  across the state must have the tools to navigate a rapidly changing labor market,” said A.J. Jaeger, executive director of the Belk Center. “Thanks to the generous support from  Ascendium , we are launching an initiative to create clear pathways from education to high-demand employment. By prioritizing data-driven decision-making, we are ensuring that every rural student has the opportunity for upward economic mobility.”  

The Strategic Planning Institute will be led by Dr. Zach Barricklow, liaison for rural engagement and research at the Belk Center and associate vice president for strategy and rural innovation for the North Carolina Community College System. Barricklow has led strategic planning efforts with the Belk Center since its  inception .  

“ Ascendium  believes all learners deserve opportunities to achieve upward mobility through education and workforce training,” said Kirstin Yeado, Senior Strategy Officer at  Ascendium . “We are pleased to support the Belk Center’s efforts to build leadership and strategic planning capacity across North Carolina’s rural colleges so they can strengthen pathways to opportunity for learners across the state.”  

R-CCC’s participation will include Williams and up to two  additional  campus leaders who will serve as co-leads for the college’s strategic planning process during the 2026–27 academic year. The first convening of the institute is scheduled for July 22–23 in Raleigh.  

Through participation in the institute, R-CCC will develop a new strategic plan designed to strengthen its role as a regional workforce leader, enhance student success  initiatives  and expand opportunities for economic mobility throughout northeastern North Carolina.  

About  Ascendium  Education Group  

Ascendium  Education Group® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization driven by the belief that learning after high school gives people the power to build better futures. Our national philanthropy focuses on increasing opportunities for learners from low-income backgrounds to achieve upward mobility through  post secondary  education and workforce training. We partner with organizations whose  objectives  align with our core strategies to expand opportunity, support learner success, and connect and align systems. Our grantees include  post secondary  education and workforce training providers, intermediaries, researchers, and media organizations from across the U.S. To learn more, visit  ascendiumphilanthropy.org .  

About the Belk Center  

As a trusted resource for North Carolina’s community college leaders, the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research delivers actionable research and tailored leadership programming to advance college and student success. We support leaders at every stage of their careers, equipping them with  timely  insights and practical tools focused on improving the experiences and outcomes of their students. Our efforts are North Carolina-focused and nationally informed.