Diversity Week Spotlight: Camelia Taheri

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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.

Student Success Story: Kennedy Logan

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black and white photo of student Kennedy LoganKennedy Logan is “flexing” her creative muscle at Central Piedmont.

The Belmont, N.C., native always had a passion for art, but wasn’t quite sure how to make it into a career. She knew she wanted to attend college close to home; so, she and her high school advisor talked about her options and what art programs were offered by local colleges in the area. The more they talked about Central Piedmont’s graphic arts and imaging technology program – specifically its flexography concentration – the more she knew it was the right fit for her.

“I wanted a career in the arts that would allow me to both be creative and earn a living,” says Kennedy. “When I researched graphic arts as a profession, I realized it would allow me to accomplish both of these goals. I was immediately sold on the idea as a career path, and pursuing that path at Central Piedmont.”

Kennedy’s days at Central Piedmont are spent learning all there is to know about flexography, which is a form of printing that uses a flexible relief plate to print on almost any type of material, ranging from film and cellophane to paper. In fact, the technique can most commonly be seen on food packaging, which means consumers see its impact every day.

When she’s not in the classroom or lab, the first generation college student can be found participating in the college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, attending National Technical Honor Society meetings, or interning for the Financial Service Innovation Coalition (FSIC). She encourages her peers to get involved and put themselves out there, too.

“Central Piedmont has provided me with opportunity after opportunity,” says Kennedy. “Since becoming a student I’ve worked with an entrepreneurial hub as an operations manager, interned for an amazing screen-printing company, and served as a pre-press technician for a flexographic company. My Central Piedmont education has given me the confidence to excel in all of these roles and I’m forever grateful for the experiences the college has extended to me.”

Kennedy plans to graduate from Central Piedmont in May 2022 and build her own screen-printing business after graduation that specifically targets small business owners. “There are many impressive small businesses in the area that are in need of marketing help,” she concludes. “I want to raise awareness of their product for the world to see; I want to be the one to help.”

U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal visited Central Piedmont

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On April 12, U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal visited Central Piedmont Community College on our Central Campus to learn about Central Piedmont’s apprenticeship and other workplace learning programs. He also took a tour of the state-of-the-art Ruth G. Shaw Advanced Technology Center (ATC).

U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal speaking to students during tour

U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal visits Central Piedmont Community College, and tours the Ruth G. Shaw Advanced Technology Center, April 12th, 2022

Central Piedmont was honored to host Under Secretary Kvaal and discuss how apprenticeships and other workplace learning programs prepare students for well-paying, high-demand careers in some of the Charlotte region’s fastest-growing industries.

Under Secretary Kvaal began his visit with a roundtable discussion about how apprenticeship programs benefit employers by providing a pipeline of well-trained talent. Several college and Workplace Learning Department leaders took part in the discussion, including:

  • Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president
  • Dr. Heather Hill, vice president – academic affairs
  • Mr. Jeff Lowrance, vice president – communications, marketing & public relations
  • Mr. Ed Injaychock, director – workplace learning

After the discussion, the group moved to the Ruth G. Shaw Advanced Technology Center where Mr. Rinav Mehta, dean of business, technology and engineering, and members of his team led the tour of the ATC. It is a 79,194 square-foot, cutting-edge, state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing, engineering, logistics and energy-related careers training facility that opened in 2018. Its prominent location on Central Piedmont’s Central Campus points to its importance  in developing a highly skilled workforce in Mecklenburg County and the college’s ongoing efforts to provide opportunities for increased economic mobility.

The  Shaw Advanced Technology Center includes:

  • Mechatronics and Automation Labs
  • Virtual Reality (VR) Labs
  • Engineering FabLab (fabrication lab)
  • CNC Machining Lab
  • Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Labs
  • 13 Computer Labs
  • 11 Specialized Equipment Labs

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

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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

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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.

CMPD Hosts Free Active Shooter Training

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officer pointing to monitor during training classAt Central Piedmont, your safety is our top priority. Law enforcement encourages three tactics you can use to keep yourself and others safe during an active shooter attack—run, hide, and fight. Learning these principles will prepare and empower you to put them into practice—and survive—should the unthinkable occur. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is conducting its free active shooter training and preparedness education workshop on April 21 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. You are invited!

Find additional information and register for this impactful training on Eventbrite.

Your Vote Counts! SGA Elections Begin April 19

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students sitting in desks in u-shape format in front of a projector screen in a classroomDecide who will represent you on Student Government Association (SGA) for the 2022–23 school year! In the election, you will choose your SGA president and vice president, public information officer, and secretary.

Cast your vote beginning 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19th. The election closes at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 21st. To learn more about SGA and this year’s candidates visit the Student Government Association page.

Stay Updated with the Library Newsletter

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female teacher standing behind student while pointing to a computer screenLibraries play an essential role in providing safe, accessible, and free educational resources for the community. The Central Piedmont Library wants to make sure that you stay up to date on the many services and resources we have to offer, so we are launching a new monthly newsletter! Be sure to keep an eye out for new ones every month on the Library webpage.

Check out April’s Library newsletter today.

Central Piedmont Health Day on May 16

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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

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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

Empowerment Luncheon: Rise Up and Re-energize Your Purpose

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sitting around the table laughing and eatingJoin us on April 21, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., as the Central Piedmont MAN UP Program hosts the annual Empowerment Luncheon. This event is co-sponsored by NC Stem Alliance which is open to all students. We invite you to “laugh and learn” with Timothy Shropshire, Comedian and Educator, our keynote speaker. Following key remarks students will learn valuable information during a career panel discussion.

This luncheon will recharge engagement and re-energize your purpose. This event is FREE with lunch provided. Register today to save your seat!

Questions, you can email us at mentoring.bridge@cpcc.edu.

Get Connected During Spring Fest 2022

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photo of students engaging during spring festGet ready for an afternoon of music, games, and free food on the campus nearest to you! Meet your Student Life coordinators and find out ways you can be involved on campus. A limited number of free lunches will be provided on a first come first serve bases.

Spring Fest Dates and Times:

  • Cato | April 5 | 12pm-2pm (outside near Amphitheatre)
  • Central | April 7 | 12pm-2pm (Overcash Lawn)
  • Levine | April 13 | 12pm-2pm (Back patio of Levine II)
  • Merancas | April 19 | 12pm-2pm (Merancas IV patio)
  • Harper | April 21 | 12pm-2pm (Harper IV Quad area)
  • Harris | April 27 | 11am-2pm (Harris I patio)

Central Piedmont offers you a ton of ways to get involved, make friends, do good for others, and have fun. Check out  the Student Life Calendar of events for location details and many other unique experiences on each campus during the semester.

Celebrate All Things Central Piedmont During Sensoria

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female student viewing artThis month, Central Piedmont will host Sensoria, its annual celebration of literature and the arts, with events occurring on all campus locations. Throughout April, attendees can visit the college’s galleries; meet artists, poets, and scholars; engage with students; enjoy student performances; and learn more about Central Piedmont’s outstanding educational programs. The public is invited to attend any of the events below; many are free. 

Visit the Sensoria website for the complete list of festivities. Here are a few events to look out for this upcoming week: 

  • Library Author’s Showcase: “Writing and Publishing during Covid-19: Therapy at Your Fingertips. Panelists Mahwash Shoaib, Diana Pinckney, Howard Byrd, and Brian Anderson will discuss ways in which they used their time to write and publish while having limited access in their external communities.
    • Date: Monday, April 11, 2022
    • Time: 11:30 a.m
    • Location: Central Campus, North Classroom Auditorium
  • Readings from the Gilbert-Chappell Mentorship Program: As part of the North Carolina Poetry Society, the Gilbert-Chappell Mentor series connects selected emerging writers to distinguished poets. This year, Central Piedmont student Melanie Diaz and Marvin Ridge High School student Isabella Kang worked alongside three-time Pushcart Prize nominee Grace Ocasio and all three will share their poetry.
    • Date: Monday, April 11, 2022
    • Time: 1 p.m.
    • Location: Central Campus, Tate Hall
  • 2022 Annual Juried Student Art Show: Join us for a dazzling array of artwork from our Central Piedmont Community College Visual Art students.
    • Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2022
    • Time: 4 – 7 p.m., Opening Reception
    • Location: Central Campus, Overcash Center, Ross and Overcash Art Galleries
  • ‘The Laying Down of Burdens: A Writing Wall and Workshop’: The Laying Down of Burdens is an interactive writing workshop and visual experience where participants can learn ways to use writing to cope in difficult times. 
    • Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2022
    • Time: 11:30 a.m.
    • Location: Cato Campus, Cato II Auditorium 020 and Student Lounge 080
  • SWAG Student Poetry Reading: Join the Student Writers Assembled Guild (SWAG) for an immersive poetry reading focused on experiences within the Charlotte community. 
    • Date: Wednesday, April 13th, 2022
    • Time: 1 – 2 p.m.
    • Location: Levine Campus, Tucker Fine Arts Hall
  • Juan Felipe Herrera: 2022 Irene Blair Honeycutt Distinguished Lecturer: Juan Felipe Herrera is the 21st Poet Laureate of the United States (2015-2016) and the first Latino to hold the position. Herrera is the author of 30 books, including collections of poetry, prose, short stories, young adult novels and picture books for children. 
    • Date: Thursday, April 14, 2022
    • Time: 11 a.m. and  7:30 p.m.
    • Location: Central Campus, Halton Theater
  • Harris Campus Art Crawl: Central Piedmont and SouthEnd Arts join forces to present an art crawl where artists will present a visual feast of over 50 pieces of art by 33 local artists. Cookies and punch will be provided as a light refreshment, along with cool free giveaways. 

    • Date: Thursday, April 14th, 2022 4:00 p.m – 7:00 p.m.
    • Time: 1 – 2 p.m.
    • Location: Harris Campus, between the SouthEnd Gallery in Harris I and the Gorelick Gallery in Harris II

These are just a few of the many events taking place this month. Learn more details and discover other fun opportunities on the Sensoria website!

Looking for Online Classes this Summer?

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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!

Join us for Dialogues with Dr. Deitemeyer on April 12

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Central Piedmont Community College President, Kandi W. Deitemeyer, Ed. D.

All month long, we are celebrating arts, literature, students, and all things Central Piedmont during Sensoria. Do you have a question for your college president, Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer?

Join us for Dialogues with Dr. Deitemeyer at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12  in the Halton Theater on Central Campus to hear more about your president’s leadership journey and optimism for the future. Dr. D is excited to talk directly with students and has some exciting updates to share about the new Parr Center student union opening soon! Don’t miss this opportunity to ask your own questions about her journey and vision for the future.

“Grab-and-go” boxed lunches will be served immediately after the event.

Save your spot today!

 

Donate Blood and Save a Life

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one blood big red bus for blood donationsDid you know that one blood donation can save up to three lives? You have greater powers than you know! Please consider donating blood at the next blood drive on Central Campus.  All donors will receive a $20 eGift Card, a OneBlood T-shirt, and a Wellness Checkup.

Join us on Tuesday, April 19 from 10:00 a.m – 2 p.m., for the OneBlood Blood Drive on the Overcash Lawn on Central Campus.

Appointments are strongly encouraged. Reserve an appointment or contact Jesse.Bennett@cpcc.edu with questions. 

Let Career Coach Help You

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masked female student looking at laptopReach your career goals and discover majors,  in-demand careers, and education based on your interests with Career Coach!

Customized for Charlotte and Central Piedmont, Career Coach provides real time, local labor market data for hundreds of occupations and connects those occupations with Central Piedmont’s programs of study. Career Coach also offers a quick assessment to match yourself to careers (60 question option recommended).

Reasons to take advantage of Career Coach:

  • Undecided about your career? Use the career assessment to get career ideas.
  • Started your program, but don’t know which specific career to pursue? Research the occupations that are related to your degree.
  • Graduating in May? Conduct career research and find and apply for specific job openings.

Watch this short 1-minute Career Coach tutorial to learn how to get started. Check out  today.

Still Deciding on Your Career or Major?

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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!

Levine III Recognized for Sustainable Design

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line of central Piedmont employees posing in front of Levine III building The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has recognized Moseley Architects, the architecture firm that designed Levine III, located on the Central Piedmont’s Levine Campus, with its “2021 USGBC Carolinas Leadership Award for Green Schools – Higher Education” award.

The award promotes and recognizes excellence in sustainable design, environmental stewardship, and community impact, and highlights the green building initiatives and achievements of local projects, businesses, and individual leaders. Given in several categories, the award honors innovative, high-performance projects that are leading the way to a greener tomorrow for all in North and South Carolina.

Central Piedmont’s Levine III building was recognized as an educational project that demonstrates sustainable leadership in facility design, construction, operations, and student/community engagement. The 88,000 square-foot Levine III opened in 2019 and houses the Georgia Tucker Fine Arts Hall, health careers and science labs, and classrooms.

To learn more about the USGBC Awards, or to view a complete list of 2021 finalists, visit https://www.carolinasgreengala.com.

Learn more about Central Piedmont’s award-winning Levine III facility.

There is a Poet in this Place! Celebrating Central Piedmont Poets 

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woman speaking at a podiumDuring National Poetry Month, Rose Parkman, the “library’s poet”, will lead a panel of Central Piedmont English Department faculty in sharing their poems and discussing their writing process. Featured poets include: Amy Bagwell, Angelina Brooks, Alicia Dervin, Chris Flowers, Robyne Rahim, and selected Central Piedmont student poets. There will be a Q&A session after the readings.
Don’t miss it! Event details:
  • Date: Thursday, April 7, 2022
  • Time: 11:00 am – 12:14 pm
  • Time Zone: Eastern Time – US & Canada
  • Online: This is an online event.
  • Join us via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84120480664