January 28, 2026

Roanoke-Chowan Community College Hosts STEM East Network Leaders for Engagement and Workforce Discussions

                                                                       

AHOSKIE, NC– Roanoke-Chowan Community College (R-CCC) welcomed leaders from the STEM East Network of the NC East Alliance on Wednesday, Jan. 15 for a wide-ranging discussion on regional workforce trends, data initiatives and emerging opportunities to support students across eastern North Carolina.

Dr. Wesley Beddard, Director of Community College Engagement for the STEM East Network, visited campus along with colleagues Mackenzie Pope, Career Concourse Director and Research Associate, and Julie Crippen, Strategic Initiatives Team Lead and Grants Manager for NC East Alliance. R-CCC leaders participating in the meeting included Steven Mathews, Vice President of Workforce & Institutional Advancement; Dr. Tanya Oliver, Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs; and Michael Jefferson, Associate Vice President of Academics and Institutional Effectiveness.

Beddard, who has spent two years visiting colleges across the region, emphasized the value of face to face conversations with institutional leaders.

“Nothing beats getting on a campus and talking with people,” Beddard said. “Our goal is to understand what colleges need, what’s new and what’s changing so we can support the work you’re doing.”

College leaders highlighted several developments at R-CCC, including new workforce courses, the expansion of welding facilities and progress toward launching a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program next January. Mathews noted the continued growth of high-demand trades programs such as welding and electrical, and the partnerships that connect students to shipyards and regional employers.

Oliver shared updates on nursing programs and the strong community interest in LPN training.

“We know this community has asked for an LPN program,” Oliver said. “It’s important for us to get it right.”
Jefferson discussed successful STEM outreach efforts, including hands on summer activities for early college students.

“Our students really lean toward hands on STEM experiences,” he said. “It’s encouraging to see their engagement and enthusiasm.”

The NC East Alliance team also shared new regional initiatives, including data driven research through its Applied Research Institute, county-level workforce and infrastructure analyses, and federal and state partnerships aimed at understanding the impact of Workforce Pell implementation statewide.

Crippen highlighted the Alliance’s unique ability to collect longitudinal data across K–12, community colleges and industry.

“Because we work across 29 counties, 15 community colleges and 31 school systems, we’re in a unique position to track trends from elementary school through college and into the workforce,” Crippen said. “Funders are very interested in the region as a testbed for what works.”

AI training for educators and workforce partners is another emerging priority. STEM East recently launched its first introductory AI training session, receiving strong interest from community colleges, K–12 districts and industry.

“Our partners are begging for this training,” Beddard said. “We’re working to build a model that can be scaled nationally.”

R-CCC leaders expressed appreciation for NC East Alliance’s support, particularly in helping the college connect with industry and regional initiatives.

“The tours and events have been extremely beneficial,” Mathews said. “They help us bring new ideas back to our programs and stay connected to what’s happening across the region.”

Beddard emphasized that the Alliance’s role is to support colleges directly.

“Our job is to help community colleges do what they do,” he said. “We can’t say yes if we don’t get the question. Dream big and let us know how we can help.”

 

 

Roanoke-Chowan Community College’s Mission

Roanoke-Chowan Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System and located in Hertford County, is a public, two-year institution of higher education offering associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, college and career readiness, and customized business and industry training in a variety of delivery modes promoting public service, transfer, and workforce development for a diverse student body, leading them to contribute to the vitality of an increasingly global community. www.roanokechowan.edu #DiscoverRCCC “Where community and careers connect”

Media Contact: Melanie Temple, Director of Marketing & Recruitment/PIO, metemple7181@roanokechowan.edu, 252-862-1243