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. 

• Open dates: Monday, Nov. 24 – Wednesday, Nov. 26
• Hours: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Location: Parr Catalyst, Central Campus

Central Piedmont is shaping its next strategic plan—and we want your input! Since September, the college has been working with MGT Impact Solutions, a national higher education consulting firm with over 50 years of experience supporting institutions like UNC System, NC A&T, and Appalachian State. 

Earlier in the process, MGT gathered ideas from students, employees, alumni, and community partners through interviews and focus groups. Now it’s your turn to help guide the future of Central Piedmont. 

What to do 

• Take the 10-minute strategic planning survey by Fri., Dec. 5 

Why it matters 

Your feedback will help identify priorities, challenges, and opportunities that shape the college’s direction for years to come. The insights you share will guide MGT and college leadership in creating a plan focused on student success, organizational excellence, and community impact. 

The survey is anonymous. Responses will be combined, and no identifying information will be collected or shared. 

Questions? 

• About the Strategic Planning study: Emily Ferrari  
• Technical issues with the survey: Diana Goldstein  

Thank you for helping shape the future of Central Piedmont! Your voice matters. 

The ITS Service Desk will be temporarily closed on Fri., Nov. 14, from 11:45 a.m.–2:15 p.m. for a staff event. 

If you need assistance during this time, you can still: 

• Search the knowledge base for answers to commonly asked questions 
• Submit a request through the online client portal—requests will be processed in the order received once the Service Desk reopens

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to assisting you again after 2:15 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 14. 

Central Piedmont’s English department’s official student literature and arts magazine, The Hammer, is now open for submissions for its 2026 issue.

Submission period: Nov. 3–Mar. 31

Submission guidelines: 

• Open to current Central Piedmont students only (submissions must come from a Central Piedmont student email).
• Accepted genres: short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction — no novel excerpts or academic essays.
• Submissions can be attached as a Word file or pasted in the email body, with the genre noted.
• There is no word count limit, but shorter pieces are more likely to be accepted.
• Students may submit multiple pieces per genre.
• All work must be original and created by the student (Artificial Intelligence-generated content will not be accepted).
• Work should be primarily in English; side-by-side translations and occasional untranslated words in a story or poem are acceptable.

Note: The Hammer receives exclusive First North American Serial Rights (FNASR) and electronic, online, and archival rights upon acceptance. All rights revert to the author after publication.

Central Piedmont is sharing food and financial assistance resources to support students and employees facing challenges. 

Wellness Center: In-person or virtual support available 

• Complete the wellness screener before reaching out 
• Staff will provide personalized guidance 

Resources to explore: 

• Nourish Up: Groceries, home delivery, and Meals on Wheels 
• FindHelp.org: Free or reduced-cost services, including food and medical care 
• Crisis Assistance Ministry: Emergency financial and housing support 
• Second Harvest Foodbank Metrolina: Charlotte-area food pantry list 

For confidential help, contact Counseling Services or the Wellness Center. 

Students can take advantage of winter session to complete a fully online course in just 4–5 weeks between the fall and spring terms. It’s a smart way to stay on track or get ahead without disrupting holiday plans.

• Winter session courses are fast-paced and flexible.
• Many students registered for 16 or more fall credits may qualify for no additional tuition—only applicable fees apply.
• More courses and double the seats are available this year, increasing your chances of getting into the class you need.

• Registration deadline: Sun., Dec. 7
• Classes begin: Mon., Dec. 8
• Add/Drop period: Mon., Dec. 8–Tue., Dec. 9

• All winter session courses are fully online, so you can participate from anywhere.

• Seats are still available. Register now to lock in your spot and earn credits before the spring semester begins.

Central Piedmont Community College has hit a historic milestone this fall, enrolling more than 34,000 students across curriculum, continuing education, and basic skills programs. This marks a 19% increase over fall 2024 and the highest single-semester enrollment in the college’s history. 

Why it matters: 
The college’s growth highlights its expanding role in workforce development and economic mobility across the Charlotte region. 

By the numbers: 

• Curriculum enrollment rose 13%, totaling 23,441 students 
• Continuing education enrollment increased 55% 
• Basic skills programs grew 31%, serving 4,652 students 
• 27.9% of students are first-generation college students — the highest in five years 

What’s driving the growth: 

• Multi-term registration lets students plan up to a year ahead 
• More scholarships and flexible payment plans — over $4.2 million awarded in 2024–25 
• New transfer and guaranteed admission programs with 18 institutions, including NC State University and Arizona State University
• Innovative learning options like global experiences, earn-and-learn, work-based learning, and courses in AI and emerging tech 
• Expansion of Central Piedmont Academy, placing faculty in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to mentor high school students 

The big picture: 
Charlotte’s population continues to grow — with 157 people moving to the region daily, according to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. Central Piedmont is keeping pace by expanding career-aligned programs that prepare students to enter the workforce or transfer to four-year institutions.