Category Archives: Community

Get help at Information Tables Jan. 9-11

Posted on by
Pop-up information tables will be set up at all six campuses during the first few days of spring classes. Look for our staff and faculty wearing “Ask Me” buttons if you need help finding your classes or getting general questions answered.

Information Tables will be staffed on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 9-10, from 7:30 a.m. – 6:15 p.m. and on Wednesday, Jan. 11, from 5-6:15 p.m.

  • Cato Campus: Cato I lobby and Cato III lobby
  • Central Campus: Overcash lobby and Zeiss lobby
  • Harper Campus: Harper IV atrium, Harper I security entrance and middle college entrance
  • Harris Campus: Harris I entrance lobby
  • Levine Campus: Levine I info desk and between Levine II and III
  • Merancas Campus: Merancas IV lobby and the Transportation Systems building entrance

Welcome Centers are also open on every campus and remain open through the year.

Get your books and class materials for spring!

Posted on by

Do you have all the course materials you need for your classes? Get prepared with everything you need from our Central Piedmont Campus Stores.

You can purchase textbooks and supplies in-person at our Campus Store locations at Cato, Central and Levine Campuses.

You can order items online from the Campus Store for delivery. You can select free delivery to Harper, Harris or Merancas Campuses with items to be picked up from Smart Lockers. You can also choose shipping to your home, orders over $50 are shipped for free!

Graduate in the news: on track to realize dreams after family tragedy

Posted on by

Alan Hidalgo-Lobo graduated Dec. 13, 2022 from Central Piedmont.

Central Piedmont graduate Alan Hidalgo-Lobo was profiled by our local NPR news station, WFAE.

Read or listen to how Hidalgo-Lobo went from not graduating from Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools, to being one of more than 500 students who crossed the stage at Central Piedmont’s first-ever winter commencement on Dec. 13.

 

 

 

 

 

Central Piedmont celebrates first-ever December Graduation

Posted on by
Graduates wearing gray cap and gown listen to the student commencement speaker

Central Piedmont Winter 2022 Commencement, December 13, 2022, Bojangles Coliseum

For the first time in its 59-year history, Central Piedmont Community College held a December commencement on Dec. 13, in Charlotte.

Approximately 510 students walked across the Bojangles Coliseum stage to receive their earned credentials. More than 1,200 students had completed their programs of studies since Central Piedmont’s May graduation.

Linda Nelson, a 2022 graduate, addressed her peers by delivering the commencement address. Nelson, an adult student who holds an MBA, is a new graduate from Central Piedmont with an Associate in Applied Science degree in horticulture.

silver and gold streamers fly through the air above graduates heads in the arena.

Central Piedmont was excited to offer a winter commencement this year to honor its graduates who completed their programs during the 2022 summer and fall semesters. The addition of a winter ceremony allows the college to honor and celebrate its summer and fall graduates in the same timely way as its spring graduates.

WFAE’s coverage of the ceremony.

Practical Nursing graduates first class of students

Posted on by

Practical Nursing Pinning Ceremony, December 6, 2022

Central Piedmont has graduated its first class of Practical Nurses (PN), from the Dickson Practical Nursing Program. The graduates from the newly-established one-year program are now eligible to sit for the national licensure exam to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN).

LPNs work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN), with employment opportunities found in hospitals; rehabilitation, long-term care, and home health facilities; clinics; and physicians’ offices.

The Dickson Foundation of Charlotte awarded Central Piedmont a $500,000 grant to develop the LPN program at the college to provide students an accelerated path to a meaningful career in the healthcare industry and address specific employment needs within the Charlotte region’s healthcare sector.

Central Piedmont Winter Break

Posted on by

Parr Center in the Winter with snow lightly dusted on the ground

The Welcome Centers at all Central Piedmont campuses remain open 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Dec. 19-22 to help you get registered for spring classes or with other questions! (Evening hours at the Central Campus Welcome Center will not be available that week).

Central Piedmont will be closed for the winter break from Friday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Jan. 2. The college will re-open on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.

The Welcome Centers and the IT Service Desk will also re-open at that time for registration help and technology assistance. You can still register and pay for spring classes online through Jan. 8, 2023, even while the college is closed.

IT service requests can still be created at servicedesk.cpcc.edu. These requests will be processed when the college reopens. If you have questions about Brightspace for a winter session class, you can continue to use the Brightspace 24/7 support even when the college is closed by clicking on the Support heading in the Brightspace navigation bar.

A few spots left! Study abroad to Ecuador or South Africa

Posted on by

Central Piedmont’s trip to South Africa, summer 2022. The group is at the Cape of Good Hope, the southwestern most point of Africa.

Travel the world with Central Piedmont! There are still a few spots available for study abroad trips to Ecuador and South Africa in summer 2023. The Global Learning office offers options with college credit, and you will have faculty and staff support for your entire travel and learning experience.

Explore your options today! Application and payment deadlines are coming up soon. Planning for paperwork, passports, and payment deadlines can take time, so learn more about the 2023 options to find the best fit your schedule and interests.

Get more information on Study Abroad at Central Piedmont.

Student Story: Juan Mesa

Posted on by
In December of 2021, Juan Mesa came to the United States from Sogamoso, Colombia. Since then, he has thoroughly enjoyed his time as not only a Central Piedmont student but a Student Ambassador.Black and white photo of Juan Mesa Moreno, wearing a hard hat and glasses.
His journey began in 2014, when he took ESL (English as a Second Language) classes with his sister at Central Piedmont. Having returned to Colombia to finish his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Juan had another opportunity five years later to return to Charlotte. “Central Piedmont Community College came to mind as the first place I wanted to study, I knew I would receive a quality education along with support for my career aspirations,” Mesa says.
As the son of an architect, Juan knew from an early age that he wanted to be involved in the construction industry. Consequently, Juan decided to study construction management at Central Piedmont. When Juan finishes here, he plans to transfer to UNC Charlotte to complete another bachelor’s degree in construction management, which he will use to contribute to Charlotte’s positive growth.
“Being a part of Central Piedmont has enabled me to meet people from diverse backgrounds and gain an understanding of their beliefs. I have met incredible people and been exposed to a wide variety of cultures,” explains Juan.
Juan’s advice for future Central Piedmont students: “Never lose interest in learning new things and make sure to use the time you have to do things that make you happy.”
Unique fact about Juan: “As the place where I met my wife, the Zeiss Building on Central Campus holds a special place in my heart.”

Work your network over the break

Posted on by

Chris Cathcart, man in suit, shakes hands with a student on stage.The end of the year is a great opportunity to build connections that elevate your career. Consider using the break to invest in your future self by updating your professional connections and working on your personal brand.

  • Put together a nice holiday/New Year’s message to touch base with your network, like former instructors, coworkers, and supervisors
  • Develop your LinkedIn profile (review page 8 in the Career Guide) and find us at Central Piedmont Career Services
  • Reach out to professionals doing what interests you for a virtual informational interview or brief chat about their career journey

Want to know more?

  • Central Piedmont Career Services Career Guide features information about building connections in the “Introducing You” section beginning on page 5.
  • Meet with a career counselor.  We will be open until December 22.  Get in touch with us. Career Services helps you elevate your career!

Fast Track your Path with Winter Session

Posted on by

Student with earbuds in and chin in hand looks at laptop. In background another student looks at her phone and laptop.Are you on the fast track? Classes are filling fast, but there are still seats available in 4-week classes that start Dec. 5. These winter session classes are all online and run over the winter break through Jan. 3, 2023.

Central Piedmont charges for a maximum of 16 credit hours per term, so if you add additional credit hours over 16 for the fall term (including winter session), your tuition for other classes could be free! (Fees, supplies or textbook costs may still apply). 

General transfer classes with availability (as of Tuesday Nov. 29) include:

  • ACA 122
  • ART 111
  • BIO 110, 111
  • COM 231
  • DRA 111
  • ECO 251, 252
  • ENG 111, 112
  • GEL 111
  • HIS 111, 112, 131, 132
  • HUM 120
  • MAT 143, 152, 171
  • MUS 110
  • PHI 240
  • POL 120
  • PSY 150, 241
  • SOC 210

Need these classes for your path and ready to register?

  • Log into mycollege.cpcc.edu
  • Click on “Student Planning”
  • Then click on “Plan your degree and register for classes”
  • Create your class schedule and register

Need help with anything? Contact our Navigators at navigate@cpcc.edu or 704.330.2722.

Make metal parts with a hands-on career in computer-integrated machining

Posted on by

Metal parts, for everything from video game consoles to car engines, are made by cutting metal to precise specifications. This is called machining, and Central Piedmont’s computer-integrated machining technology program can prepare you to be a highly successful professional in the machining industry, with yearly median salary ranges from $43,677 to $56,315.

Our labs and classrooms at Central Piedmont are home to the industry’s latest equipment and software, as well as quality instructors who bring real-world experience into the classroom. You can earn an Associate in Applied Science, a diploma, or choose from several specialized computer-integrated machining technology certificates.

Learn more about the computer-integrated machining:

Free student tickets for dance production “Sunlight And Solstice”

Posted on by

A group of dancers on stage in plain frocks, stand with their legs apart and interacting with each other with their arms held in circles.

Sunlight And Solstice will include three new works by Central Piedmont Dance faculty, Tracie Chan, two new works by director, Clay Daniel, plus a reconstruction of his “In The Attic” (2014) based on the work of Shel Silverstein, and “Rivers of Babylon” by guest Chris Thompson Cultural Ensemble.

Attend the dance production at Central Campus, in the Parr Center’s New Theater:

  • Friday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 4, 2:30 p.m.

Admission is free to Central Piedmont students with valid student ID presented at the door on the day of the event. General Admission is $10, and may be purchased from tix.cpcc.edu.

Pick up your Cap & Gown at the Grad Fair

Posted on by

Student Cristina Vargas stands in her gray cap and gown against a background with the Central Piedmont logo, holding a sign that reads #cpccgrad22It’s almost time to celebrate! Are you registered to walk in the graduation ceremony Dec. 13, 2022? Then it’s time to come pick up your free cap & gown during the Graduation Fair, Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022!

The Graduation Fair will be held at the Campus Store at Central Campus for students participating in the December Ceremony to pick up your free cap and gown. Pick up times are 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. each day. 

Stop by to pick up your cap, gown, tassel, GPA cord (if eligible), take a selfie, and enter to win a prize, including a free class ring!

Caps and gowns will remain available for pick up at the Campus Store through Friday, Dec. 9, during business hours, but sizes may be limited. 

Questions? Email graduation@cpcc.edu.

New bakeshop from senior Baking and Pastry Arts students

Posted on by

You are invited to the Baking & Pastry Arts “This Bites” Bakeshop! It is a concept developed by the senior students in the Baking and Pastry Arts 250 class at Central Piedmont Community College. We developed this concept to experience our career before graduation to ensure we will be successful once we graduate. We had 10 days to develop our concept and four days to completely set up the bakery space!

Please come visit us!
Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
We will be open through Wednesday, November 30.
Central Piedmont Central Campus, Van Every Culinary Building, Room 200

We will be serving made from scratch sweet and savory pastries with hot and cold beverages.
Each week will feature a similar menu with rotating flavors.
Access our menu to see all the delicious treats!

 

Experience the World — International Education Week 2022

Posted on by

We’re bringing the experiences of the world right here to you Central Piedmont. Join Central Piedmont’s Global Learning office as we celebrate International Education Week here at the college Nov. 14-17 with both on-campus and virtual events to broaden your perspective.

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare students for a global environment.

Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week

Posted on by

Join Student Engagement in the fight against hunger and to raise awareness of the issues surrounding hunger and homelessness.

Please join us for National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 14-16, as part of the 2022 Food Lion Feeds — Collegiate Hunger Challenge.

All events will take place at Central Campus, in the Parr Center, multi-purpose Room 0060 on the Ground Level:

Meals on a Budget
Monday, Nov. 14, 12:30- 1:30 p.m.
Learn how to prepare easy and delicious meals on a budget

Craft for a Cause
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2- 4 p.m.
Documentary “A Place at the Table” and create a take home craft

SOUPer Bowl Food Drive
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Donate canned and non-perishable food to help stock Central Piedmont’s emergency food pantries.

 

Honoring our Veterans

Posted on by

Veterans Day is Friday, November 11 and you’re invited to take part in the remaining event we’ve organized to honor our military veterans and family members.

Student is standing at base of the large metal flagpole, tying off the rope that raised the United States flag. The flagpole is surrounded by full size flags of all the US military branches and the US and North Carolina flags.

Veterans Day flag ceremony, Central Campus, November 7, 2022.

VETERANS AFFAIRS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SERVICE DAY

Thursday, November 10, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. — Habit ReStore, Wendover Road

Come support Central Piedmont’s Veteran Affairs team by participating in a day of service at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 1133 N. Wendover Road in Charlotte. Participants will learn about Habitat for Humanity’s mission, tour the store. and assist in the store during the project.

Sign up to volunteer at our Habitat ReStore service project.

Meet Your Student Government Association (SGA) Leaders

Posted on by

Executive Committee for Fall 2022 – Spring 2023

We say a big, “hello!” — The Student Government Association (SGA) would like to formally introduce ourselves. SGA is the student-led government body representing student needs and interests by  bridging better communication between faculty and students. We also help facilitate club activity in collaboration with Student Engagement. SGA represents all campuses  and are excited for the upcoming year. Meet the representatives of the Executive Committee for fall 2022 – spring 2023:

President: Kay Mahoney
My name is Kay Mahoney (they/them) and I am the current President of the Student Government Association here at Central Piedmont. I joined the Advertising + Graphic Design department, and knew I wanted to stay. A passion of mine is social justice, so, during my time in office, I will strive to ensure that all other students can find their place here, too.

 

 

 

Vice President: Zack Moore
My name is Zachary Nathan Moore (he/him) and I represent the students of CPCC as the current Vice President of SGA. As the vice president I will ensure that each and every student feels welcome and represented at Central Piedmont. We are all students, but we are all going through very different situations, so Central Piedmont should continue to be a place where everyone can escape the craziness of life and feel supported and encouraged.

 

 

Secretary: Paige Crawford
My name is Paige Crawford (she/her)and I am the Secretary for Student Government
2022-2023 term. Student government has allowed me to form lasting connections with other students who have similar interests, and goals as me.

 

 

 

 

Treasurer: Ena Imai
My name is Ena Imai (she/her) and I am the Treasurer for the Student Government Association of 2022-2023 term. I am studying Biology in pursuit of my Associate in Science. I am passionate about helping others and SGA provides the perfect opportunity to do so. My goal as treasurer is to address and resolve any funding concerns.

 

 

 

Public Information Officer: Courtney Benson
My name is Courtney Benson (she/her) and I am the Public Information Officer for Student Government. My goal this year is to be an advocate and amplifier for the student body.

 

 

 

 

 

Each campus had Senators to represent the specific needs of the student body. SGA just finished the interviewing process and will be announcing the elected candidates soon. To contact SGA about questions, comments, or concerns, we have a Contact Form listed below. We also hold bi-weekly General Assembly meetings that students and faculty are invited to attend and listen, or speak if requested.

Please stay tuned to Central Piedmont Today for upcoming announcements about Senators, website updates with links to the General Assembly meeting and club fund request, and more.

Health Career Grads Earn High Scores on Certification Exams

Posted on by
two women in white lab coats examining a test tube

Cytotechnology program

Central Piedmont’s health career grads continue to shine in their licensing exams and job placement rates, which will also help meet critical workforce needs in Mecklenburg County.

Students graduating in 2022 from Central Piedmont’s Cytotechnology, Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Technology, Ophthalmic Medical Personnel, and Polysomnography programs all achieved 100-percent certification exam pass rates. Nursing NCLEX exam pass rates were 98 percent, and Dental Assisting grads earned a 96-percent pass rate. Job placement rates are at or trending to 100 percent for all Central Piedmont health programs.

To learn more about Central Piedmont’s more than 20 health careers programs, visit the college website, send an email to healthsciences@cpcc.edu, or call 704.330.6496.