It’s almost time for the December commencement ceremony! We cannot wait to celebrate all of our graduates and hear from student speaker Kristen Alvarado-Sorto. 

Event details:  

• Date: Tuesday, Dec. 16 
• Time: 10 a.m. 
• Location: Bojangles Coliseum 

What to know:  

• Can’t make it in-person? View the live stream on YouTube 
• Review the bag policy for Bojangles Coliseum before you arrive 

Join us to celebrate this milestone with your classmates, family, and friends! 

Several campus dining locations will close for winter break. Here’s what you need to know: 

• Starting Monday, Dec. 15 
  Food service locations at Central, Levine IT, Cato, Harper, Harris, Levine, and Merancas campuses will close until Monday, Jan. 5. 
• Harris Campus Catalyst 
  Due to construction, Catalyst will remain closed until Friday, Jan. 9, and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 12. 
• Parr Catalyst, Hen & Steer, and Cosmos Pizza 
  These locations will remain open on Monday, Dec. 15 and Tuesday, Dec. 16, then close starting Wednesday, Dec. 17 until Monday, Jan. 5. 
• Regular hours 
  All locations will resume regular hours on Monday, Jan. 5, except Harris Campus Catalyst. 

Central Piedmont students who rely on CATS should plan ahead: Blue Line and Gold Line services will be temporarily suspended for preventative maintenance this weekend. 

Why it matters: The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is performing maintenance to ensure safe, efficient service. 

Details: 

• When: Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14 
• Impact:  
  • Gold Line and South Blue Line (7th Street to I-485) will shut down at approximately 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. 
  • The North Blue Line (7th Street to UNCC) will shut down at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. 
  • The last trains will depart between 2 and 3 p.m. Riders should use the trip planner for exact times. 
  • Bus bridges will replace rail service during the shutdown. Connector signs will mark stops, and buses will display “Bus Bridge” for easy identification. 
  • Regular service resumes Monday, Dec. 15. 

What to do: 

• Check detailed bus bridge locations at https://www.ridetransit.org. 
• Download the CATS-Pass app for real-time updates and fare purchases. 
• For questions, call customer service at 704-336-7433. 

Central Piedmont and Western Governors University (WGU) have renewed their transfer agreement, creating a clear path for students to earn a bachelor’s degree at one of the nation’s leading online universities. 

Why it matters: The partnership helps graduates continue their education online while balancing work and family obligations. 

Details: 

• The transfer pathway is open to students who have earned an associate degree from Central Piedmont. 
• Students and employees are eligible for the WGU Community College Partner Scholarship, valued at up to $3,500. 
• Since the partnership began in 2020, more than 350 Central Piedmont students have enrolled at WGU — up from 21 in the first year to more than 100 each of the past two academic years. 

Top fields of study: 

• Information technology and software engineering 
• Business, accounting, and finance 
• Public health and nursing 

What they’re saying: 

• “This extension builds on Central Piedmont’s long-standing focus of helping students move forward with confidence toward their academic and career goals,” said Dr. Heather Hill, provost of Central Piedmont. 
• “This renewed transfer agreement will help graduates continue their educational pursuits online while juggling work and family obligations,” said Ben Coulter, Ed.D., chancellor for WGU in North Carolina. 

Big picture: Central Piedmont offers 18 guaranteed admission programs with colleges and universities across the Carolinas, plus agreements with four online or out-of-state institutions for flexible, affordable pathways to a bachelor’s degree. 

WGU at a glance: 

• More than 120 fully accredited online programs in business, technology, healthcare, and K–12 education 
• Competency-based model lets students work at their own pace with mentor support 
• Tuition for bachelor’s degrees is about $4,000 per six-month term, with unlimited courses per term 
• More than 10,000 WGU graduates live in North Carolina 

Students can now browse the latest additions to the library collection. Whether you’re looking for something to support your studies or just want a good read, the library has something fresh for everyone.  

• Newly added books across a range of subjects 
• Educational and documentary videos 
• Electronic resources, including journals and databases 
• Discover new titles 

Browse the latest arrivals and check back often for fresh finds and regular updates. 

Stay informed with December’s Hot Topics 

Need a quick way to stay up to date with current events? Central Piedmont Community College students can access monthly research overviews through NewsBank’s Hot Topics— a helpful resource for busy schedules and current-events-based assignments.  

What’s covered:  

• Current events
• Business and economics  
• Civics, government, and politics 
• Social issues 
• Sports and the arts  

Central Piedmont is committed to helping students and families maintain access to essential resources. The Wellness Center is connecting households to full-size Nourish Up food pantries, which provide seven days of food per person. 

We understand that transportation can be a barrier for many students, and the Wellness Center is stepping in to help. Students can contact the Wellness Center to provide a bus pass to get to the food pantry.  

For more information: 

• Contact the Wellness Center at 704-330-6435 or wellness.center@cpcc.edu. 

Resources available on all campuses.

The Business Office will be closed for a staff event on Thursday, Dec. 4.

• Time: 2 – 5 p.m.
• Location: Central Campus
• Need assistance?
  • Email: cashier@cpcc.edu
  • Visit: https://www.cpcc.edu

Students, faculty and staff can enjoy seasonal flavors and special deals at campus dining spots. Here’s what’s on the menu: 

• Hen & Steer — Central Campus, Parr Center 
  Grilled turkey club with cranberry mayo combo, served with fries and a fountain drink — $9.99 

• Catalyst Coffee Bar — all locations 
  Peppermint mocha — $4.50 for a 12 oz 

Interested in joining the Vietnamese students club? Fill out this form or join us for one of these dates!

Meeting details: 

• Dates: Wednesday, Dec. 3, or Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 
• Time: 12:45 p.m.–1:30 p.m. 
• Location: Central Campus, Parr Center, Huddle Room G  

Take this opportunity to meet peers, exchange ideas, and help shape a welcoming community at the college. 

Rotaract is growing at Central Piedmont, and the Levine Campus is the newest home for this student-led organization. Students interested in leadership, service, and community engagement are invited to learn more. 

Interest meeting details: 

• Date: Thu., Dec. 4 
• Time: 2 p.m.–4 p.m. 
• Location: Levine Campus, Room 2306 

Why join Rotaract? 

• Build leadership skills and take on leadership roles 
• Participate in meaningful community service projects 
• Connect with service-oriented peers on field trips and activities 

Your advocacy made this expansion possible. Join the interest meeting to show your support and help shape the future of Rotaract at Levine Campus.