Tech Week Fall 2025: Discover what the tech is happening at Central Piedmont 

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computer lab

What’s happening: 
Central Piedmont’s Technology Division is hosting Tech Week Fall 2025, a weeklong series of in-person and virtual events designed to connect students, faculty, and staff with today’s most exciting tech trends and careers. 

From artificial intelligence to robotics and digital inclusion, you’ll get hands-on experiences and hear directly from industry pros. 

Why it matters: 
Whether you’re exploring a tech career or just curious, this is your chance to: 

  • Attend expert panels and leadership talks 
  • Test emerging technologies like drones and cybersecurity simulations 
  • Learn how to build your own home tech lab 
  • Network with industry leaders and local employers 
  • Gain extra credit or essay inspiration from real-world topics 

Who should attend: 
All Central Piedmont students, faculty, and staff are welcome. Faculty are encouraged to bring their classes! 

🔗 View the schedule and RSVP here – space is limited. 

What to know: 

  • RSVP to receive event links and room locations via email 
  • Event details may change—watch your Central Piedmont email for updates 
  • Some events may be added or updated as schedules evolve 

We can’t wait to see you at Tech Week! 

FAFSA: What to know and why it matters

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closeup of a mini graduation cap on cash

What’s happening: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is opening soon—and it’s your first step to getting financial help for college. 

Why it matters: 
Without a submitted FAFSA, you could miss out on: 

  • Grants (free money you don’t repay) 
  • Scholarships 
  • Work-study jobs 
  • Low-interest federal loans 

Reminder: Even if you think you won’t qualify, fill it out anyway—many students are surprised by what they’re eligible for. 

The big picture: FAFSA isn’t just a one-time form. You must renew it every year to continue receiving aid and to be considered for new opportunities. 

Where to go: Need help? Visit the Financial Aid Office on Central Campus, or check with your campus student services team for FAFSA workshops. 

Key dates: 
The 2026–27 FAFSA opens on Oct.1. File early to get the best aid package. 

Find your community at student club orientation

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students sitting around table

Why it matters: Looking to get involved this fall? The upcoming Student club orientation & interest meeting is your chance to explore student-led clubs, meet new friends, and learn how to start a club of your own at Central Piedmont. 

Event details: 

  • Date: Thu., Sept. 25 
  • Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. 
  • Location: Central Campus, Parr 1010/1050 

What’s happening: 

  • Meet representatives from popular student clubs: 
    • Art Club – Express yourself through creativity 
    • Film Club – Watch, discuss, and create cinematic stories 
    • DND Club – Join epic tabletop adventures 
    • Music Club – Jam and collaborate with fellow musicians 
    • Basketball Club – Get in the game and show your skills 
    • K-pop Club – Dance and celebrate your favorite idols 
    • Fashion Club – Design and style with trendsetters 
    • Anime Club – Connect over your favorite series 
  • …and many more! 

Plus: 

  • Free food and drinks (while supplies last) 
  • Fun games and interactive activities 
  • Meet your Student Government reps 
  • Tips on how to launch your own club 

The bottom line: Whether you’re into art, sports, gaming, or just want to explore something new, this event is your launchpad into campus life. Come connect, create, and discover where you belong. ✨ 

Fall Break reimagined: Serve, learn, and lead in Asheville

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Fall Break is Oct. 13–17. This year, Central Piedmont students can swap the usual vacation for something more impactful — a week-long alternative break experience in Asheville, N.C.

Why it matters:
You’ll work alongside local organizations fighting food insecurity and economic inequality — while discovering how to create change in your own community.

What to expect:

  • Location: Asheville, N.C.
  • Cost: $25 application fee (lodging, meals, and local transportation covered by Student Life)
  • Who can apply: Current Central Piedmont students ready to serve, reflect, and lead

Community partners include:

  • Bounty & Soul and Root Cause Farm
    → Help distribute food, support farm work, and grow community gardens

  • Asheville Poverty Initiative
    → Join conversations on poverty and equity
    → Volunteer at 12 Baskets Café, turning surplus food into shared meals and connection

Go deeper:
Each day includes reflection and discussion to help students:

  • Connect service to real-world social issues
  • Examine personal values and perspectives on justice and equity
  • Explore how to bring lessons learned back to campus and local communities

Ready to apply?
👉 Sign up here to join this unforgettable experience. The deadline to apply is Fri., Sept. 19.

Charlotte Fire alum promoted to captain

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firetruck

What’s new:
Charlotte Fire has promoted Jordan Steward to the rank of captain, celebrating his leadership, service, and dedication to the community. 

The backstory: 

  • Steward joined Charlotte Fire in 2019 as part of Recruit Class 109
  • He grew up in Charlotte and earned a degree in Fire Protection Technology from Central Piedmont 
  • His passion for service and commitment to professional growth set him apart early in his career 

Why it matters: 
Steward’s achievement highlights how Central Piedmont graduates continue to make a meaningful impact in their hometown and beyond. 

Health Program Info Fair coming to Central Campus

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student in healthcare setting

What’s happening:
The Health Sciences program is hosting the Health Program Info Fair to give students and community members a closer look at Central Piedmont’s health career pathways. 

Why it matters: 
Whether you’re exploring a future in healthcare or ready to apply to a program, this event is your chance to connect with faculty, ask questions, and learn about admissions requirements. 

Event details: 

  • Tue., Sept. 23, 2025 
  • 5 p.m.–7 p.m. 
  • Central Campus, Health Careers and Leon Levine Health Sciences buildings 
  • Free and open to the public 

What to know: 

  • Pre-registration is encouraged 
  • On-site registration will also be available 
  • Open to all students, families, and community members 

Your future in healthcare starts here! 

Local scholarship supports students in law and paralegal studies

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two people reading a bookStudents interested in law or legal studies can now apply for a $1,000 scholarship from HKM Employment Attorneys LLP. The firm is supporting future legal professionals across the Charlotte region — and that includes students at Central Piedmont.

Why it matters: Legal careers are built on strong academic foundations — and this scholarship helps lift some of the financial weight.

The details:

  • Eligibility: Open to students in pre-law, paralegal, or J.D. programs
  • Must be enrolled at a campus within 60 miles of Charlotte, NC
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Deadline: Fri., Dec. 12, 2025
  • Essay prompt: “How I will use my legal education to serve my community.”

How to apply:
Students can find full details and submit their applications at: hkm.com/charlotte

Business and accounting week: Explore your future career

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bank of america building

Central Campus + Virtual | Sep 15–18 

Students interested in business, accounting, or related careers are invited to Business and Accounting Week—four days of events designed to help you connect with professionals, build essential skills, and explore career paths. 

Who should attend: 
These events are open to students majoring in business administration, accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, project management, international business, paralegal technology, medical office administration, or supply chain management. Business Transfer Pathway students and anyone considering a future in business are also welcome. 

MOA & business workplace soft skills (Session I) 
Mon., Sep 15 | 12 p.m. | Virtual (Teams link) 

  • Learn practical strategies to stand out in class, internships, and at work. 

Meet Bank of America leaders 
Tue., Sep 16 | 1–3 p.m. | Central Campus, Parr Center, Rooms 0060 & 0070 

Hear directly from Bank of America professionals about what they look for when hiring—and how you can stand out. You’ll get: 

  • Real advice on job searching 
  • Tips for building skills employers value 
  • Career stories from teams in accounting, marketing, finance, and HR 

Stay after for networking with company representatives. This session is ideal for students preparing to enter the workforce or exploring business careers. 

👉 Register on Handshake 

Project management essentials 
Thu., Sep 18 | 11:30 a.m. | Virtual (Teams link)
Guest speaker: James Whitley, IT project manager 

  • Explore what project management looks like in the real world. 

Durable skills mastery: soft skills 
Thu., Sep 18 | 2–3 p.m. | Virtual (link to follow upon registration) 

Boost your confidence and communication in this interactive session on people skills—also known as soft skills. Learn how to: 

  • Collaborate on teams 
  • Navigate change 
  • Improve emotional intelligence 

No experience required—just show up and grow! 

👉 Register for the virtual event 

Hosted by Career Services and the Office of Mentoring and Coaching 

Don’t miss this chance to build your skills, meet employers, and take your next step toward a career in business. 

Find your fit: Focus your career path with career services

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Get to know yourself better with FREE tools like: 

  • Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) 
  • Strong Interest Inventory 

These personalized assessments help you: 

  • Discover your strengths  
  • Explore your interests  
  • Match your personality to real-world careers  

But wait — there’s more! 
Our awesome career counselors are here to: 

  • Walk you through your results 
  • Answer all your questions 
  • Help you build a plan that fits you  

Ready to get started? 
Log in to Handshake and click “Career Center” to book your appointment today! 

 

New continuing education programs launching this fall

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student sitting in lecture hall

Central Piedmont is launching several new continuing education programs this fall to help students build in-demand skills across a range of fast-growing industries. 

Why it matters: 
These short-term, skill-focused courses are designed to give students a head start in high-demand fields like hospitality, IT, aviation, and health care. 

What’s new: 

What’s next: 
Visit Central Piedmont’s continuing education site to explore course details, registration deadlines, and tuition information. 

Meet your 2025–26 Student Ambassadors 🎉

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10 student ambassadors

Central Piedmont Community College welcomes its newest cohort of student ambassadors for the 2025–26 academic year. 

Student ambassadors play a key role in creating a welcoming, informed, and connected campus community. 

What they do: 

  • Lead campus tours for prospective students 
  • Represent Central Piedmont at events and outreach activities 
  • Share their personal student experiences with others 

This year’s team is ready to make an impact. We’re excited to see how their leadership, energy, and insight shape the student experience across all campuses. 

Welcome, ambassadors — we’re glad you’re here! 🙌 

💆‍♂️ Fall Massage Clinic: Book Your Appointment Today!

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Massage student working on a client

Need a moment to relax and recharge? Central Piedmont’s Massage Therapy students are back this fall with their Student Massage Clinic, offering 60-minute full-body massages to faculty and staff!

This clinic gives students the opportunity to apply their skills in a professional setting, guided by licensed instructors—while you enjoy some much-deserved self-care.

🗓️ Clinic Details

📅 Dates: October 6 – October 25
🕘 Days: Monday – Friday (by appointment only)
📍 Location: Central Campus, Leon Levine Health Sciences Center, Room 301 
💵 Cost: $25 per session (card or Apple Pay only – no cash)

🌿 Technique Offered

Swedish Massage – Uses firm but gentle pressure and smooth, gliding strokes to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and ease muscle tension.

📲 Book Your Appointment

👉 Reserve your spot today

Support student learning while treating yourself to a relaxing experience—you deserve it!

Wellness events to help you recharge this September

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wellness center

Hosted by Counseling Services across Central Piedmont campuses 

Counseling Services is bringing stress relief, emotional wellness, and a splash of fun to campus this month. Whether you’re prepping for mid-terms or just need a break, check out these upcoming events designed to help you thrive. 

Mocktails & more  
Learn about standard drink sizes, tips to prevent alcohol misuse, and how to mix up fun, alcohol-free mocktails. 

  • Thu., Sept. 18 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Merancas IV, Room 100   
  • Get a free mocktail for participating 

Relax and recharge 
Take a break from the books and recharge with relaxing, hands-on activities like jewelry making, aromatherapy, DIY coping kits, coloring, and more! 

  • Mon., Sept. 29 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Harper IV Library, Room 300 

Feelings Wheel Workshop 

  • Wed., Sept. 10 | 12–2 p.m. | Central Campus, Parr Center, 1050 
  • Thu., Sept. 25 | 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. | Cato Campus, Annable Building 024 

Ready to better understand your emotions—and use them to your advantage? This interactive session uses the Feelings Wheel to help you: 

  • Improve emotional awareness and self-regulation 
  • Boost focus, confidence, and connection with others 
  • Express your emotions through a creative art activity 
  • Learn tools to handle stress during tests, tough days, and everything in between 

Why it matters: 
These events aren’t just about relaxing—they’re about building lifelong skills to support your mental wellness. Make time for your mental health this month. You’ll leave refreshed, supported, and more in control of your emotions. 

Central Piedmont and Arizona State University launch transfer partnership

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central piedmont and arizona state university logos

What’s new: 
Central Piedmont is teaming up with Arizona State University (ASU) to offer students a clear, customized path to a four-year degree through the MyPath2ASU® program. 

Why it matters: 
This collaboration helps students plan early and transfer smoothly — saving time, reducing credit loss, and increasing success after graduation. 

What MyPath2ASU offers: 
Students who enroll in the program get access to: 

  • 400+ course-by-course transfer pathways to ASU online and in-person degree programs
  • Guaranteed general admission to ASU and to the major of choice (if all requirements are met)
  • Self-service progress tracking to monitor academic milestones
  • Personalized ASU support, including communications and connection opportunities

“This partnership with Arizona State University reinforces our focus on removing barriers, minimizing credit loss, and providing our students with a clearer, faster route to a bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. Heather Hill, provost of Central Piedmont. 

In-demand pathways include: 

Nursing pathway spotlight: 
Students earning their associate degree in nursing (ADN) at Central Piedmont can simultaneously complete their BSN online through ASU’s Concurrent Enrollment Program.

Start your journey: 
Visit ASU’s website to learn how MyPath2ASU works and to get started. 

 

Students awarded record-breaking $4.2M in scholarships

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graduates celebrating with confetti

Central Piedmont Community College hit a major milestone this year—awarding over $4.2 million in scholarships to nearly 2,500 students during the 2024–25 fiscal year. 

Why it matters: 
This marks the first time Central Piedmont has surpassed $4 million in scholarships. That’s an increase of more than $1.2 million from the previous year, reflecting the college’s deep commitment to student success and access to education. 

By the numbers: 

  • 2,451 students impacted 
  • Nearly $1,750 awarded per recipient 

“Behind every scholarship is a student striving for a better future and a donor who made it possible,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont. 

Student stories that shine 

Two recent scholarship recipients highlight the impact of donor support: 

  • Jae Taylor, an emergency medical sciences student, received the Merancas Technical Career Scholarship and is training with Mecklenburg County first responders.
  • Itala Flores, a 2025 fine arts graduate, received multiple scholarships including the Levine, Kappy McClenaghan, and Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarships, and was part of the Truist Honors Program.

“Even at the last minute, Central Piedmont always helped me with a scholarship, and that was a blessing,” said Flores. 

How to apply for scholarships 

The scholarship portal is now open for spring and summer 2026 terms.  

🔗 Learn more and apply now!  

September Transfer Tuesdays

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two people at transfer fair

What’s happening: 
Thinking about transferring after Central Piedmont? On Transfer Tuesdays, you can meet with admissions reps from four-year schools to ask questions and explore your options. 

Why it matters:
You’ll get insight into: 

  • Each school’s admissions process 
  • Available degree programs 
  • Application tips and timelines 

No RSVP needed, just drop in! 

Heads up: 
Not all campuses host Transfer Tuesdays every week. Check the schedule to find out when and where reps will be visiting. 

The Transfer Services office is here to support your journey to a four-year degree. 

Learn more: 
Visit this link for the latest schedule and transfer tips. 

Beauty Changes Lives awards $90K+ in scholarships 🎉

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hair styling tools

What’s new: 
Beauty Changes Lives, a nonprofit supporting careers in beauty and wellness, awarded over $90,000 in scholarships this spring to 21 students nationwide. 

Why it matters: 
The scholarships help students and professionals access the training they need to launch or grow their careers in cosmetology, esthetics, and other wellness fields. Beauty Changes Lives offers seasonal scholarships and mentoring opportunities to support rising talent in the industry.  

Central Piedmont spotlight: 
Tiffany Sifford, a student at Central Piedmont, was among the selected awardees. 

Want more information? 
Students interested in applying for future awards can learn more at beautychangeslives.org. 

What to know about your privacy rights under FERPA

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Exterior of the Parr Center

Every Central Piedmont student — whether you’re currently enrolled, just graduated, or took classes years ago — is protected by FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Why it matters:
FERPA gives you control over your educational records and limits who can access your information — even your parents or future schools — unless you give written consent.

Your rights under FERPA:

1. Access to your records

  • You can inspect and review your education records.
  • Submit a written request and valid photo ID to Student Records.
  • Central Piedmont will provide access within 45 days.

2. Requesting corrections

  • Think something’s inaccurate or misleading in your record?
  • Submit a written correction request to the Senior Registrar.
  • You’ll receive a response within 30 work days.
  • If the error can’t be confirmed, a hearing committee will review your case and issue a written decision.

3. Control over your information

  • Central Piedmont cannot release your personal info without your signed consent, except under certain legal conditions.
  • Directory information (which can be shared without consent) includes:
    • Your name
    • City of residence
    • Dates and semesters of attendance
    • Major/program
    • Credentials earned and award dates

4. Who can see your info without consent?

  • School officials with a legitimate educational interest, like advising or financial aid staff, may access your records.

5. File a complaint
If you believe Central Piedmont has not followed FERPA rules, you can contact:

Student Privacy Policy Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202

Learn more: FERPA Policy at Central Piedmont

🍳 Sip & save: September food specials at Central Piedmont

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catalyst coffee bar

Whether you’re grabbing breakfast before class or fueling up with your favorite latte, Central Piedmont has tasty deals this month you won’t want to miss. 

Hen & Steer Breakfast – Central Campus (Parr Center) 

  • A.M. Classic Combo: 3 pancakes & 2 eggs 
  • Price: $6.49 

Catalyst Coffee Bar – all locations 

  • September feature: Honey Lavender Latte (12 oz.) 
  • Price: $4.50 

These limited-time specials are budget-friendly, student-approved, and perfect for cooler fall mornings. Don’t miss out!  

🌿 Fall plant sale coming to Cato Campus

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people looking at plants

Students and local plant lovers can stock up on fall greenery during Central Piedmont’s annual plant sale, hosted by the Horticulture program. 

When: 

  • Fri., Sept. 26: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. 
  • Sat., Sept. 27: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

Where: 
Cato Campus – Horticulture Building
3645 E. W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28215 

Payment options: 

  • Cash 
  • Credit card 
  • Personal checks 

Why it matters: 
The sale features student-grown plants and supports hands-on learning in the Horticulture program. Come early for the best selection!