Category Archives: Learning

Get free support in college from TRIO Student Support Services

Posted on by

You could be eligible for personalized mentoring, tutoring and academic coaching with TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO-SSS).

TRIO-SSS is a free program focused on helping you stay in school, and to be successful while you’re here. The program offers academic, personal, social, and career support for under-resourced and first generation college students. If you are the first in your family to attend college, or if you receive financial assistance (like a Pell grant), you could be eligible for this additional support.

Spots are limited! Apply for TRIO-SSS today and a success coach will review your application to see if you are eligible for services.

Email dean.mccabe@cpcc.edu for more information or with questions about TRIO-SSS.

Add a class to fast-track your way to graduation

Posted on by

Do you have more room in your schedule? You can graduate earlier by adding a short session course or two this fall. There’s still time to register!

Short session courses are available in-person, hybrid and online. The next 8-week session starts Wednesday, Oct. 12, so you could add in an extra course for your program of study and be even closer to completing your degree. 

Payment for classes you add to your fall schedule are due every Monday; you will be dropped on Tuesdays without payment in place for additional classes. 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!

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

Here are the remaining short sessions for the fall semester:

Term Dates
Second fall 8-week session Wed., Oct. 12– Fri., Dec. 9
Third fall 4-week session Mon., Oct. 17–Fri., Nov. 11
Fourth fall 4-week session Mon., Nov. 14–Fri., Dec. 9
Winter session Mon., Dec. 5, 2022–Tue., Jan. 3, 2023

Need help? Email navigate@cpcc.edu or call 704.330.2722.

Free, professional tutoring available from Central Piedmont

Posted on by

Think you might need help to study in your class? Don’t wait, get started today with free, professional tutoring from the Academic Learning Center (ALC). The ALC is where you receive free tutoring in the subject areas of math, science, and writing. Whether you are taking one class or a full course load, tutoring is free to you.

Our tutors are professionals that focus on helping you overcome difficulties with coursework, promote independent learning, and develop skills necessary for academic success.
Tutoring includes:

  • up to three 45 minute appointments for each course in one week
  • one tutoring session for each subject, per day
  • choose from an in-person or online tutoring appointment
  • three visits per paper
  • free access to Smarthinking, for tutoring available 24/7
  • we also provide the double time tutoring accommodation to students approved through the Disability and Access Services office

How can you sign up for tutoring?
Visit the ALC website, scroll down to the “Schedule Your Tutoring Appointment Now” and complete three simple steps. You can also watch our 90 second get started video.
The ALC is here to help you be successful and we wish you a wonderful fall semester!

For other questions about tutoring, please contact ALC Director “Dr. J” at joevanne.estrada@cpcc.edu

Do you want to be a pastry chef?

Posted on by

Chef in chef coat preparing many small individual desserts on tableDo you want to be a pastry chef? If yes, then the Baking & Pastry Arts (BPA) Program invites you to join us at an upcoming Student Information Session. Students who are eligible could start classes as soon as Oct. 12.

You will have an opportunity to interact and observe current students in classes and taste samples of students’ classwork. Each information session provides you with an overview of the program enrollment requirements, costs and college resources.

  • October 4, 2022; 10 a.m.- noon in Harris I, Auditorium

The session will help you understand of the program expectations, the enrollment process, and general education requirements. Those who are ready to enroll will have an opportunity to schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss registration.

FERPA protects your information

Posted on by

FERPA logoAt colleges and universities, all students– currently or previously enrolled, and regardless of age– are protected by FERPA, the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act. Whether you are 16 or 65, under FERPA, Central Piedmont cannot answer questions or release information about you– to your parent, family, or future school — without your written permission.

FERPA prevents college officials from disclosing personally identifiable information unless you approve disclosure by submitting a signed consent form. FERPA protects your information at Central Piedmont.

You have the right to inspect and review your education records. To review records, students and former students may contact Student Records, present valid photo identification, and request in writing to review the record. Central Piedmont will provide access to the record within 45 days. Continue reading →

Attend Brightspace Orientations for success with online classes

Posted on by

Nervous about taking your first online course in Brightspace, Central Piedmont’s course Learning Management System? We can help! Our one hour, virtual instructional sessions will give you hands-on experience with Brightspace.

White B inside orange circle: logo for Brightspace by D2LThese sessions will demonstrate how to:

  • navigate Brightspace
  • turn on notifications
  • download the Brightspace Pulse app
  • take quizzes
  • upload assignments
  • post discussions
  • complete an Enrollment Verification Activity 

These sessions are open to all students. We think you should strongly consider signing up for this additional help if you: 

  • are new to Central Piedmont
  • are an English as a Foreign Language student
  • do not feel comfortable with technology

We also encourage you to use the Brightspace Resource Guide for extra help if needed. Our goal is to make sure you are comfortable with the tools you need to be successful in class. We can’t wait to see you there!

View the Brightspace practice sessions schedule and register today.

Need a Game Plan After Graduation?

Posted on by

female student in graduation cap and gownGraduation can be one of the most exciting, yet scarier times in your life. Do you need help mapping out a game plan?  Career Services is here to help! We want to help polish your resume, interview skills and job search strategy.  Here are the top three tips to map out your plan:

  1. Visit Handshake to view employment opportunities, including part-time, full-time and paid internships.  Handshake is the #1 way college students find jobs.  Remember to complete your profile, because you are 5x more likely to be contacted by an employer.
  2. Use Big Interview to get ready to rock the interview!  This online system builds your interview confidence and expertise. Watch this 3 minute video for a quick introduction and check out the Big Interview flyer for tips on how to get started.
  3. Career Coach – see the top Charlotte area employers for your program!

Not graduating and still thinking about your career direction?  We can help whether you are transferring or a returning student preparing for registration.  Get in touch with us. Career Services can help you elevate your career.

Time to Celebrate Two Digital Equity Days

Posted on by

Student using phone and laptop in open seating areaDigital Equity Act funding is now available to the state of North Carolina, and they are preparing to award grants totaling 1.25 million each year for four years. As the nation and the state of North Carolina embrace the need for digital equity, there are two opportunities for students and employees at Central Piedmont to support this movement.

  • The first opportunity is on May 13th., ‘National Digital Inclusion Day’ (NDID) The purpose of NDID is to get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital equity and inclusion.

  • The second opportunity is ‘Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), held on May 19th. GAAD aims to get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.

Jessica Rosenworcel, FCC Commissioner, says, ”To have a fair shot at 21st-century success, you need access to modern communications and the internet.”

To begin the celebration and learn more about these two essential events, visit the LibGuide on National Digital Inclusion Day and Global Accessibility Awareness Day.

You can also contact Don Michael, Digital Literacy Specialist, for the Digital Literacy Learning Space service to become more comfortable with Brightspace, WebEx, email, and many other technologies. Get the technology help you need to be successful!

53 Ideas Pitch Competition – Win $10,000 to Support Your Business Idea

Posted on by

53 Ideas LogoCentral Piedmont and Fifth Third Bank have partnered to bring the 53 Ideas Business Pitch Competition and the search is on to find the next big idea. The process is simple and takes less than a minute.

Got an innovative business idea? Record a 53-second video, submit it, and wait to see if your idea is selected as one of the top 53 submissions.

To enter, individuals have 53 seconds to share their idea in the form of a video submitted at 53ideas.com. Round one is based on the idea. Contestants do not have to excel at pitching, they just need to share who they are, their idea, the problem it solves, how it is new or superior to an existing product or service, and how they can make it happen.

Judges will select the top-53 ideas and those contestants will move on in the competition to receive training to help them prepare a three-minute pitch for the second round of the competition. Judges will then narrow the field to the top 10 and those selected will receive $250 before moving forward to compete in the Pitch Day finale.

Training and coaching on pitching, financing, forecasting, and general business will be available to every participant, even if they do not make the top 53. However, the top spot will receive $10,000, second place $5,000 and third place $2,500 to help turn their idea into a viable business.

Read the full article to learn more about the competition.

Explore Debt Free Options with Scholarships

Posted on by
There’s still time to apply and qualify for scholarships to help cover your education costs. Central Piedmont has over 250 scholarship opportunities available each year. Need-based and merit-based scholarships are awarded for a host of reasons – choice of major, community involvement, special interests, creative talents – and that’s just to name a few.
Regardless of your economic situation, take every opportunity to lessen the financial burden of college.Students can access a number of these opportunities by completing the General Scholarship Application on Academic Works for summer and fall.
Important Upcoming Deadlines:
  • The Summer 2022 application deadline is April 30, 2022.
  • The Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 priority application deadline is May 15, 2022.

Make the Most of Your Summer: Register Today!

Posted on by

students viewing projector screen while teacher instructsCentral Piedmont is offering several 4-and 8-week classes online and in-person beginning May 18.

Summer classes allow you to gain credits toward your degree or take prerequisite classes to prepare you to graduate. Classes are taught in multiple formats – online, hybrid, blended, and face-to-face to meet your needs.

A complete listing of Summer and Fall 2022 classes, including details such as section, prerequisites, course descriptions, etc., is now available through Student Planning. Log into MyCollege to plan your next class schedule.

  • Full Summer: May 18 – July 14, 2022
  • Session 1: May 18 – June 15, 2022
  • Session 2: June 16 – July 14, 2022

Please reach out to our Student Success Navigators by calling 704.330.6100 or emailing navigate@cpcc.edu if you need any enrollment assistance.

Don’t wait – summer classes start May 18!

Diversity Week Spotlight: Camelia Taheri

Posted on by

Central Piedmont is excited to recognize and celebrate our international students, faculty, and staff who represent more than 152 countries. Read on to learn more about Camelia Taheri, a dedicated faculty member at Central Piedmont.

In what area of the college do you work?
International Business

How long have you been at Central Piedmont? 
5 years

What is your favorite part of Central Piedmont? 
I love the camaraderie and joyful environment we all work at Central Piedmont (especially at Central campus), as well as I love the connection and working hand-on-hand with our students in the classroom (virtual & traditional)

What country are you originally from or your home country? 
Venezuela

Please share anything you would like others to know about your native country or your experience living there.
Venezuela has the happiest people I have known – with a combination of music, our pretty Caribbean beaches, the Andean mountains, the Amazonian forest, the sand dunes of Coro, and our amazing rivers throughout the country. Despite the last 20 years of political and economic struggles, when you meet a Venezuelan, you can feel the energy and happiness inside and outside the country. You can now find us everywhere around the world and you will always see us working hard for our families, friends and community.

How long have you been in the United States? 
15 years

What is your favorite experience or memory since being in the United States? *
I love how here in Charlotte many people are so curious about my accent. With my name, the majority cannot assume I am come from Latin America, and when I say that ‘I am from Venezuela’, people hear that ‘I am from Minnesota’. If you ask any Venezuelan, they have all encounter the same curious misunderstanding.

How do you like to spend your free time? What are your hobbies? What is a fun fact about you? 
I spend most of my time with my family. We surely enjoy the beach (as I grew up very close to the beach) and try to go every time we have a break. I love running and even more running on the beach.

College Partners with BCBS of North Carolina to Build Diversity in Insurance Industry

Posted on by

image of central Piedmont logo and blue cross blue shield of North Carolina logoThrough a partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Central Piedmont Community College has received $211,485 to provide scholarships to develop a more diverse and inclusive talent pool of trained and licensed individuals for the insurance production and sales industry. The goal of the partnership is to increase access to underserved populations and communities by diversifying the pool of licensed insurance agents.

Central Piedmont will use the funds to offer scholarships to 26 students per year for five years to cover the cost of insurance pre-licensing courses provided by the college plus licensing exam fees and NC Department of Insurance fees. As scholarship recipients, students also will receive instruction through the “Working Smart: Essential Skills for Workplace Success and Career Development” program and wrap-around services, including interview preparation, additional academic and career counseling, and small business counseling.

Scholarship eligibility is open to persons who meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Black
  • Hispanic
  • Bilingual – English-Spanish
  • Female
  • Age 18-49
  • Workers displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Persons in transition – leaving high school or college, or looking to make a career change.

Interested individuals can apply to the program starting in May. Successful applicants will be notified in July, with classes beginning in late-August.

“Central Piedmont is so appreciative of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina for making such an investment to advance diversity in the field of insurance agents,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont president. “We know this program will generate much interest and provide another pathway at the college that will lead to rewarding and family-sustaining careers with great opportunities for advancement, perhaps even business ownership.”

For more information, contact Hunter Smith, director of Central Piedmont’s James R. Worrell Sr. Financial Services Institute, at 704-330-4685 and hunter.smith@cpcc.edu.

Complete the Student Voices Survey; Enter Drawing for $50 Visa Gift

Posted on by

students in auditorium engaged in conversationWe want to hear from you! Your opinions of your experiences at Central Piedmont are so important to us.

Please complete your Student Voices Survey for the spring semester. Check your Central Piedmont email, a unique survey link has been sent to you from “Central Piedmont Research <invites@mailer.surveygizmo.com>”. 

The survey will be available for you to complete until April 24.

Your voice is crucial to the continued transformation of Central Piedmont. These surveys capture key pieces of information from students at specific points during their time at Central Piedmont. The data we gather will be used to help create a more successful student experience.

After the survey ends there will be a drawing for eight $50 visa gift cards!

View a description of the surveys and when you will take each one.

Survey results are not intended for individual intervention and will not contain identifying information. The only exception to this is the Graduate Survey which includes voluntary questions to gather information for future contact relating to alumni activities. 

If you have any questions regarding the Student Voices Survey Series, please contact Lynn Williams (lynn.williams@cpcc.edu) in the Office of Planning and Research.

Central Piedmont Health Day on May 16

Posted on by

Central Piedmont medical assisting and medical laboratory technology students are hosting a Health Day for all faculty, staff, and students. Medical assisting students will perform health assessments including vital signs and blood pressure checks. Medical laboratory technology students will offer free laboratory testing such as cholesterol levels, diabetes screenings, and complete blood counts.

While results are fairly accurate, they cannot replace results obtained from a certified laboratory. Participants should follow up with their healthcare provider for official diagnostic results.

Join us on Monday, May 16th, 2022 between 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Central Campus, Levine Health Science Center Reception Room 401.

Book your appointment for Central Piedmont Health Day!

Questions? Contact: Nattasha.counta@cpcc.edu

Phi Beta Lambda Students Earn Top Awards in State Competition

Posted on by

Two of Central Piedmont’s Phi Beta Lambda members successfully competed at the North Carolina Phi Beta Lambda 68th Annual State Leadership Conference held in Charlotte at the University Hilton April 7 – 9, 2022.

Phi Beta Lambda (also known as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)) is open to students of all majors.  Students returning in the fall who wish to join now may do so by completing the FBLA 2021/22 Membership Application. Annual membership dues are $25.00.

Congratulations to our 2022 state competition winners, Julia Berry and Ashley Gonzalez!

Julia Berry
Awarded 1st Place in the Microeconomics competition and
3rd Place in the Macroeconomics competition 

Ashley Gonzalez
Awarded 2nd Place in the Entrepreneurship Concepts competition

Looking for Online Classes this Summer?

Posted on by
students viewing projector screen while teacher instructsCentral Piedmont is offering several four-week classes online and in-person beginning May 18. Are you looking for an online class this summer?

Classes are taught in multiple formats – online, hybrid, blended, and face-to-face to meet your needs. Hybrid and blended courses combine face-to-face and online course delivery into one class experience. Hybrid courses are taught mostly online while blended courses are mostly taught in-person with some online instruction.

Try taking a new e-hybrid class which are online classes enhanced with a one-day meeting. E-hybrid courses are designed to help students get off to a great start by providing an optional one-day in-person class to ask questions, meet your instructor, connect with your classmates, and receive in-person support before your online course starts.

A complete listing of Summer and Fall 2022 classes, including details such as section, prerequisites, course descriptions, etc., is now available through Student Planning. Log into MyCollege to plan your next class schedule.

Please reach out to our Student Success Navigators by calling 704.330.6100 or emailing navigate@cpcc.edu if you need any enrollment assistance.

Don’t wait – summer classes start May 18!

Still Deciding on Your Career or Major?

Posted on by

As major life decisions go, choosing what to study in college isn’t to be taken lightly. Career Services can equip you with the tools to help you make those tough decisions.

Attend an online “It’s a ‘Major’ Decision” workshop session on Wed. April 13 or Wed. April 27 at noon.   The workshops are open to all students and pre-registration is not required.  These are the final sessions this semester – don’t miss out!

Here are the top 4 reasons to attend “It’s a ‘Major’ Decision workshop:

  • learn how to choose your program or future transfer major
  • get reliable information about where the jobs are in Charlotte (and beyond)
  • find out what degree is needed for the job you want and how much it pays
  • interact with plenty of time for your career questions

Career Services helps you elevate your career. Just need to talk to someone?  Career counselors are here for you. Contact Career Services today!

Expand Your Resources with O’Reilly for Higher Education

Posted on by
red and white O'Reilly learning platform logoTheCentral Piedmont Library now has trial access to O’Reilly for Higher Education. The O’Reilly digital platform includes books, videos, proven learning paths, case studies and audio books. Users also get access to exclusive O’Reilly content and as well as resources from more than 200 of the world’s best publishers. Topics range from programming to IT networking to project management to graphic design to business strategy. The content includes code snippets, certification preparation materials, practice exercises, training videos, and much more.
 
To access the trial, follow the steps below.
  1. Select the link: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/temporary-access/
  2. Select “Institution Not Listed”. (You will be presented with a screen with a dropdown list of institutions. Central Piedmont is NOT listed here.)
  3. Enter your Central Piedmont email address when prompted.

Access to this trial will only work with a current Central Piedmont email address. Trial access expires on April 14.

Need help accessing the trial or have questions? Please email doug.short@cpcc.edu.

It’s Not Too Late to Register – More Classes Start March 14

Posted on by

Fast and effective eight-week classes are offered in a condensed schedule during the semester to better meet your needs. It’s not too late! Get a head start on next semester’s course load by taking a core class or a required course for your major.

Most classes are Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) courses, meaning they have been universally approved to transfer to most four-year universities in North Carolina.

Don’t wait. The upcoming class window is Monday, March 14 – Tuesday, May 10.

Learn more about spring sessions and how to register today.

Need help registering? Call 704.330.2722. You can also email us at navigate@cpcc.edu.