Finding My Voice: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories

women hugging

Do you have an awakening and transformational story to tell?

In recognition of Women’s History Month and the theme, “Finding My Voice: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” Central Piedmont Library invites you to join us for a special Word of Mouth Storytelling event. Come share your story about how you triumphed, overcame obstacles and discovered YOUR voice.

Register by March 3 to participate and share your story.
Sign up in the Google form. 

  • March 14 | 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. | Central Campus, Parr Center, Hagemeyer Library
  • March 21 | 1- 2 p.m. | Merancas Campus, Merancas 4-122
  • March 22 | 12- 1 p.m. | Cato Campus, Cato III, Multipurpose Room
  • March 22 | 12- 1 p.m. | Harper Campus, Harper IV-300
  • March 23 | 12:30-  1:30 p.m. | Levine Campus, Levine 2601
  • March 29 | 2- 3 p.m. | Harris Campus, Harris I – 2100

Mural artists event March 22

In the spring of 2022, Central Piedmont Community College selected two former students and local artists, Rosalia Torres-Weiner and Felicia Sky Sutton, to create a large-scale mural honoring the past history of the college, documenting the present, and reflecting the aspirations of Central Piedmont students for the future.

In celebration of the completion of the mural project, Central Piedmont will host a panel discussion March 22 with the muralists and technical executive, to share their experience, inspiration, and process creating the mural.

The panel discussion is open to all Central Piedmont students, employees, and members of the community. We invite all attendees to join us after the discussion for a reception in the lobby of the Parr Center Theater.

  • March 22 at 3 p.m.
  • Central Piedmont Central Campus, Parr Center Theater
  • Reception to follow in the lobby of the Parr Center Theater, immediately after the discussion

Visitors to the mural can enjoy the added element of augmented reality (AR) built into the murals metadata. The RedCalacAR app, available for IOS and Android devices, allows the viewer interact with the mural through the power of technology. The AR design provides the viewer with the opportunity to enjoy various animations, listen to student stories, songs and poetry and learn more about the history of Central Piedmont.

Torres-Weiner and Sutton are both former Central Piedmont students, and were chosen from a highly skilled pool of applicants to work collaboratively with current students, faculty, and staff to create an interactive mural. Learn more about the artists.

For more information about the mural or the event, please contact Amelia Zytka at amelia.zytka@cpcc.edu. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook at Central Piedmont Arts and the Central Piedmont Arts blog.

Free tickets for Pixar executive and STEM speaker

Photo credit: Debby Coleman, Pixar Animation Studios

The Central Piedmont community can get FREE tickets for a speaker event with Pixar executive Danielle Feinberg. Register by March 25 for the free tickets.

Saturday, April 1
10 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Central Campus
Parr Center, New Theater

Danielle Feinberg is Visual Effects Supervisor at Pixar Animation Studios & Mentor for Girls in STEM. Feinberg’s love of combining computers and art began when she was eight years old, and first programmed a Logo turtle to create images. This eventually led her to a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from Harvard University. Now, in addition to her Pixar work, she works with teenage girls, encouraging them to pursue math and science by demonstrating to them the same beautiful simplicity she found with the programmed art of the Logo turtle.

The event is hosted by the BFB Foundation and Central Piedmont Community College. This event is important to BFB Foundation’s mission of strengthening communities by supporting education-focused initiatives for girls and women. It provides a platform to positively affect economic mobility in the Charlotte Metro Area, especially concerning the underserved. Tickets are being provided for free so educators and women in STEM have the opportunity to attend.

Want to be a CPA? Attend a CPA Board meeting Feb. 20

Join the Business and Accounting program for a special event: the North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners Board Meeting.North Carolina state seal of Board of Certified Public Accountants

Monday, Feb. 20
11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

• Attend a live State Board of CPA Examiners Board Meeting at the Parr Center at Central Campus or online through WebEx.
• Learn about preparing for and taking the CPA exam
• Participate in Q&A with the State Board of CPA Examiners Board Members (lunch provided)

Register to attend in person (seating is limited).
Link to attend online through WebEx.

Health Professions Open House Feb. 21

Come learn about Central Piedmont’s many healthcare programs at the Health Professions and Human Services open house.

February 21, 5-7 p.m.
Central Campus, Health Careers Building

Space is limited, register to attend.

At the open house, you will have the opportunity to:

  • find out more about our 21 healthcare programs
  • learn how to apply for a healthcare program and how to boost your application
  • meet faculty and staff from all healthcare programs
  • meet other prospective students who could end up being your classmates
  • tour our top-of-the line facilities, including the Health Careers Building,  Leon Levine Health Sciences Center, laboratories and classrooms
  • learn how to apply for financial aid and scholarships
  • learn more about student life and support services

Spanish translators will also be available if needed.

May Graduates: Nominate Yourself to Speak at Graduation

Evelyn Hill speaking at Commencement, May 12th, 2022

You have a story – and it’s worth telling! Central Piedmont’s Graduation Committee is now accepting nominations of student graduates to serve as the student speaker at the May 2023 commencement celebration. Ideally, nominated students would share a pride in their educational journey, a passion for Central Piedmont, and would be willing and able to share their experience and wisdom during the celebration.

Nominations will be accepted until Wednesday, March 8 through the student speaker nomination form, and interviews will be conducted through March 17.

Students selected for an interview will be asked to prepare a sample of their speech through a brief written reflection of their college experience. The selected graduate will receive guidance, rehearsal, and support to prepare their official remarks.

Check out the remarks to the graduating class from Evelyn Hill, one of the May 2022 student speakers. Please submit the May 2023 Graduation Student Speaker Nomination form to help our selection committee identify top candidates.

If you have questions regarding nominations, please email: jesse.bennett@cpcc.edu.

Get hired: Employers visiting campuses in February

Employers want to hire you!  There is a full slate of employers coming to different campuses to meet you in the month of February. These events and more are on Handshake, our job board. To learn more about the employer, or register to attend, please select the company’s name to open that event in Handshake.

Date

Time

Company

Looking for 

Location

2/1

10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Lowes Food

Foodservice roles, internships

First Floor of Parr Center (Central Campus), next to the Information Desk

2/8

10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Jet Stream Ground Services

Cargo agent, high lift driver, cabin cleaner

First Floor of Parr Center (Central Campus), next to the Information Desk

2/15

10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

US Coast Guard

Enlisted/ Reserve/Officer in US Coast Guard

First Floor of Parr Center (Central Campus), next to the Information Desk

2/15

10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Bank of America

Various financial services roles

Levine Building III (Levine Campus), on the second floor near the Library

2/15

10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Chick-fil-A University Place

Front of house, back of house

Cato Building III (Cato Campus), west side of first floor near art gallery

2/15

10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Lowes Food

Foodservice roles, internships

Merancas IV Building (Merancas Campus), outside of Student Technology Center on first floor

2/22

10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Bank of America

Various financial services roles

First Floor of Parr Center (Central Campus), next to the Information Desk

There are thousands of opportunities on our job board Handshake – including paid internships, on-campus, part time, full time and seasonal positions.  Check “events” to find the latest information about employers visiting campus for recruiting throughout the spring semester. Questions about on-campus recruiting? Contact Career Services at 704.330.6588 or career.fair@cpcc.edu.

Career Services has your back if you need help.  If you have questions, please get in touch with us.

Central Piedmont Black History Month events

Since its conception as National Negro Week in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Wooden, the month of February is a special time for individuals around the world to acknowledge, remember and share the enriching African-American experience as part of American history, to help foster more equity and inclusion, and to embrace America’s diversity. Learn more about the origins of Black History Month and this year’s theme: Black Resistance.

Upcoming Black History Month events

Tangled & Twisted: Understanding the Dynamics of Black Hair

Join us for an engaging and enlightening presentation on the history, social and political stigmas and unspoken implications about ‘black hair’- a double-headed cultural enigma that is too often stereotyped and misunderstood.

This presentation will be facilitated by Ms. LaTika “Tika” Mercer, a former adjunct instructor at Central Piedmont’s nationally recognized cosmetology program and co-owner of Lucky You Salon and Suites.

Wednesday, Feb. 8
10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Central Campus, North Classroom Building, Room 1123 (Auditorium)
Link: http://tiny.cc/tangledandtwisted


Tangled & Twisted: Traveling Exhibition

A rotating visual exhibit featuring educational information and various hair styles designed by creative students in the cosmetology program will also be on display. The exhibit will be featured in each Central Piedmont campus library:

Feb. 6- 10:  Central & Levine Campuses

Feb. 13- 17: Harris & Cato Campuses

Feb. 20- 24: Harper & Merancas Campuses


Black Resistance: Forms of Opposition 1600s-1800s

Through the lens of history, music, psychology, and literature, discussion about forms of opposition from enslaved people from the lens of history, music, psychology, and literature. Join us for this in person and live-streamed event to gain insight on how black resistance from this time period still influences perceptions in today’s world.

Panelists include Central Piedmont faculty and staff:
Nerlynn Etienne, moderator.
Panelists: Dr. Denise Spruill, Kenneth Woodruff and Linteno Savedge.

Thursday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Central Campus, North Classroom Building, Room 1123 (Auditorium)
Link: http://tiny.cc/BlackResistance


All programs are FREE to attend. These programs are sponsored in collaboration with Central Piedmont Library, Behavioral & Social Science Department, Cosmetology Program, Single Stop, and Student Engagement.

Learn the In’s and Out’s of Networking Feb. 20

Chris Cathcart, man in suit, shakes hands with a student on stage.85% of jobs come from your network! Your network is made of your career connections through organizations, online groups, people you know, clubs and more. Everyone has a network, you just need to learn how to use it. Both talkative and more private people can be amazing networkers. Join Student Engagement and Career Services for a lively and fun session to level up your networking skills.

Date

Time

Title

Location

2/20

2- 3:30 p.m.

In’s and Out’s of Networking

Central Campus in Parr 0060 – ground floor across from Navigator Desk

Career Services has your back if you need help. If you have questions, please get in touch with us.

‘Archival Photos Reimagined’ exhibit opening at Library

Archives are more than just a collection of old papers, photographs, and artifacts. They provide windows into the past, making them valuable resources for learning our history and its lessons.
They can also be sources of inspiration for creative expression. What was once a static black-and-white photograph can become a springboard for a creative sketch, illustration, or painting.
That’s the idea behind Archival Photos Reimagined, a collaborative project between the Central Piedmont Archives and the Visual Arts Club that encourages members of the Central Piedmont community to create works of art inspired by our photographs and publications collections.
Opening on February 6, we invite you to visit the exhibition in the Archives Reading Room, where you will find a display of artworks incorporating elements from the archival photos that inspired them and varying in style, medium, and subject matter.
WHEN:
February 6 – May 9, 2023
Mondays – Thursdays, 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Fridays, 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.
WHERE:
Central Campus, Parr Center, Hagemeyer Library, Third Floor, Archives (Room 3250)
The exhibition will also be available to view online, starting on February 6.
For more information, please contact Johnamarie Macias at johnamarie.macias@cpcc.edu.

‘Meet your Match’ Feb. 14 at Levine Campus spring Transfer Fair

Students talking to reps a t table inside Worrell gymAcademic Advising and Transfer Services, along with Student Engagement, will host the spring College Transfer Fair.

“Meet Your Match” at the College Transfer Fair:

  • Tuesday Feb. 14
  • 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Levine Campus, Levine II Building, Second Floor hallway

There will be approximately 20 colleges and universities from across the states of North and South Carolina represented on campus. Review the list of colleges and universities scheduled to participate.

This event will help you learn more about college transfer admission requirements, programming, student life, how to transfer and much more.

Contact advising@cpcc.edu with any questions.

FREE tax prep offered at Central Campus

Woman pointing to laptop, helping another person sitting across the table.

For the current tax season, Single Stop has partnered with the Central Piedmont accounting and finance program to offer free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) on Central Campus.

If your household income in 2022 was $80,000 or less, you could qualify to take advantage of this free tax preparation resource. Students, staff, and faculty (including immediate family members) are eligible to receive free tax preparation.

Beginning January 30 through April 15, 2023, tax preparation appointments will take place in-person at Central Campus, in Central High, Room 258. Walk-ins will be accepted based on availability.

Please visit the Single Stop webpage for available hours and schedule your appointment today!

Meet with your next school on ‘Transfer Tuesdays’

Students talking a college rep on Transfer Tuesday.What are your plans after you finish at Central Piedmont? If you’re looking to transfer to a 4-year school to continue your education, visit with representatives during Transfer Tuesdays to find the school for you and get your questions answered.

Representatives from other North Carolina colleges and universities are visiting Cato, Central, Levine and Merancas Campuses nearly every Tuesday during the spring 2023 semester.

Find out when representatives are visiting each campus and mark your calendar to attend!

Celebrate the spring 2023 semester with Welcome Fests

Central Piedmont Student Engagement invites all students to attend the Welcome Fest at your campus. Stop by to celebrate the beginning of the spring semester!

Various student groups and campus departments will share information and opportunities for you to learn what Central Piedmont has to offer. The event is free and will feature games, snacks, free swag, and more. Meet other students and find ways to connect with your community!

Join the Welcome Fest on your campus:

  • Cato Campus, Cato III: Tuesday, Jan. 31, 12- 2 p.m.
  • Harper Campus, Harper IV: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
  • Harris Campus, Harris I: Thursday, Feb. 2, 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
  • Central Campus, Parr Center: Tuesday, Feb. 7, 12- 2 p.m.
  • Merancas Campus, Merancas IV: Wednesday, Feb. 8, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.
  • Levine Campus, Levine II, Thursday, Feb. 9, 12- 2 p.m.

$5 student tickets to Opera Carolina’s ‘Porgy and Bess’

Thanks to Ally Financial and the Infusion Fund, Opera Carolina is offering a very special $5 ticket (taxes and fees included) to first-time Opera attendees, including Central Piedmont faculty, staff, and students. Each person may request up to 2 tickets.

Tickets are available for the following performances of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess: Tuesday, January 24, 7 p.m.
Thursday, January 26, 7:30 p.m.

Reserve your tickets today!

Audition for Central Piedmont Theatre: “Lost Girl”

Central Piedmont Theatre announces auditions for its upcoming spring 2023 production of Lost Girl by Kimberly Belfower, directed by Carly McMinn.

AUDITION INFORMATION: All auditionees should prepare a 90-second contemporary monologue. Callbacks will consist of readings of sides from the script.

AUDITION DATE & TIME
March 14 & 16 (Callbacks) from 7- 9 p.m. in Overcash 300 at Central Campus.
March 15, from 4- 6 p.m. in the Georgia Tucker Fine Arts Hall on Central Piedmont’s Levine Campus

PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES
April 21- 22 and April 27- 29 at 7:30 p.m.
April 23 and 30 at 2:30 p.m.

PLAY SYNOPSIS: Long after returning from Neverland, Wendy decides that she must find Peter in order to reclaim her kiss and move on with her life. Along the way, she meets other girls who went to Neverland and learns she is not alone. A coming-of-age exploration of first love and lasting loss, Lost Girl continues the story of J.M. Barrie’s beloved character – the girl who had to grow up.
ROLES AVAILABLE (6f, 6m)

Review the full details for available roles.

Join the Service Projects for MLK Challenge week Jan. 23-27

Side profile art of Martine Luther King Jr. and 2023 MLK Challenge at Central PiedmontAre you looking to start the year off with service to your community, earn service hours towards receiving a service pin at graduation, or get a FREE t-shirt?

Sign up TODAY for the 19th annual MLK Challenge January 23-27! The purpose of this challenge is to engage the Central Piedmont Community in advancing racial and social justice, developing a deeper knowledge of self-identity and community activism, and honoring the legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We will partner with five nonprofit organizations who embody what MLK stood for.

Multiple service opportunities will be offered during the week that may fit your schedule, so find the best day/time for you! There will be a group reflection and lunch to follow.

You can also join us for our MLK Kick-Off Program on January 19 at 12 p.m., Central Campus – Parr Center Theater. There will be a keynote speaker and spoken word poetry by an artist of the Poet Laureate of Charlotte!

Register today for the 2023 MLK Challenge!

If you have any questions about the projects or the 2023 MLK Challenge, please email Whitney Williams (whitney.williams@cpcc.edu).

Looking for a job? On campus recruiting for spring is here!

Employers are coming to Central Piedmont to hire!

Date

Time

Company

Looking for

Location

Jan. 18

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Aptive Environmental

Sales/Marketing Internship (Paid)

First Floor of Parr Center (Central Campus), next to the Information Desk

Remember, even if you can not attend the recruiting event, there are hundreds of opportunities on our job board Handshake – including paid internships, on-campus, part time, full time and seasonal positions.  Check “events” to learn about employers visiting campus for recruiting.  Employers will visit additional campuses through the semester, and more employers will be coming to Central Campus too.

Want to prepare your résumé?  Résumés are not required to attend the recruiting event; however, here are some resources to help if you want to work on yours and get a competitive edge!

Review the Career Guide – full color flip book with sample résumés, cover letters, interview tips and more.

Resume Video – learn the résumé basics in 10 minutes!

Schedule a meeting with a Career Counselor.

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

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

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.