Central Piedmont’s Inaugural Year Up Class Graduates

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Central Piedmont Community College announces its inaugural Year Up Charlotte class of 40 students graduated on July 23 during a virtual commencement ceremony, hosted by Year Up Charlotte and its long-term partner, Bank of America.

The college began partnering with the national nonprofit Year Up in August 2019, when the organization launched its Charlotte location with generous support from Bank of America, the John M. Belk Endowment, and the Duke Endowment. The intensive, yearlong program prepares students (ages 18–26) for entry-level technology and customer-facing roles in fields such as business operations, information technology, and software development and support.

Trinity Simpson, one of the students graduating from Year Up Charlotte’s first class, delivered the keynote speech at the July 23 commencement ceremony. Simpson feared that if he stayed in his small town in North Carolina, he would “be working a minimum wage job with no opportunity and become another statistic.” He has completed his Year Up internship at Bank of America in cyber security and has accepted an offer as an operations control analyst at the bank.

The students enrolled in Central Piedmont’s Year Up program at the beginning of the 2019 fall semester. Participants spent their first semester taking technical and professional skills classes taught by Central Piedmont and Year Up staff, and then participated in a full-time, credit-bearing internship at a corporate partner firm during the spring term, learning the real-world skills they would need to excel in the workforce.

“The Year Up Program provides a challenging and nurturing space for students to get the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce,” said JJ McEachern, dean of enrollment management at Central Piedmont. “As a result, it’s one of the most successful partnerships in higher education. It not only supports students during their educational journey, but also through the career phases of their life.”

The program is provided to students at no cost. Throughout the year-long program, students earn college credits and receive access to a robust offering of services and supports from Year Up to promote their success, including an educational stipend. They also have access to Central Piedmont’s many services, including the college’s library and tutoring resources,

Nationwide, 90% of Year Up graduates are employed or attending college within four months of completing Year Up, with average starting salaries of $42,000/year. Because of the program’s ability to help move the economic mobility needle, it has garnered the support of multiple community partners across the Charlotte region, including the John M. Belk Endowment, the Duke Endowment, Bank of America, and Leading on Opportunity.

Run for an SGA Executive Committee Position – Applications Now Open

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The Student Government Association is excited to announce that SGA elections are now open! All Central Piedmont students are members of the SGA, and are represented by elected student officers. This is your opportunity to become an officer – be involved in the democratic process and create a positive change for yourself and other students across the college.

Apply now to serve on the 2020–21 SGA Executive Committee (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, or public information officer). The deadline to apply is Tuesday, August 25. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Students who take on leadership roles in SGA serve as advocates for the student body, make budget recommendations, hear funds requests from student organizations and support programs and activities in Student Life. You will have the opportunity to grow as a leader, work with diverse issues and have fun while you’re doing it!

More information including eligibility requirements and position descriptions can be found on the SGA website. Once you’re familiar with the roles and expectations, complete the application to be considered as a candidate.

Please note, the online election will take place September 8 – 10. All students taking curriculum classes are able to vote!

Contact student.life@cpcc.edu with any questions or concerns!

RNC to Impact Traffic Near Central Campus Aug. 23-25

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The RNC arrives in Charlotte August 24-27, and city officials have released information outlining how the event will impact traffic patterns, such as road closures, restricted parking zones, local travel access/checkpoints, and changes to public transportation between 6 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23 and 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

While several thoroughfares will not by impacted, such as I-277 lanes in both directions, on ramp to I-277 North from South Boulevard/S. Caldwell Street, S. Caldwell Street both directions, and S. Church Street, the RNC will disrupt the flow of traffic in and around the Queen City in other areas.

Read the complete list of road closures, public transportation impacts, and more here.

Central Piedmont Cares – Let Us Know How We Can Help

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The college has established the Central Piedmont Cares initiative to connect directly with you and to help you with any challenges you’re facing. Although we miss seeing you on campus, we can still help meet your needs and offer support. Many in-person support services that students rely on are now offered remotely. Whether you need to explore strategies to take care of your mental health, need help planning your next semester or career move, or have financial or other vital need concerns – we are here.

Please visit the Central Piedmont Cares website for information regarding available resources. If you need additional assistance, please fill out the Central Piedmont Cares student form. Once the submission is received, a Central Piedmont staff member will reach out to you within the next 2-3 business days during standard college hours of operation (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).

Please stay encouraged and focused on your goals this upcoming semester. If you’re experiencing issues, please know we are here to support you. Please call our Information Center at 704.330.2722 during business hours or submit your questions online for help.

Virtual Q & A Sessions With Central Piedmont

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Have questions about how to enroll at Central Piedmont? How to register for courses? Want to know more about student life opportunities?

Get answers to these questions and more or get connected to the service you need — join us for a virtual Central Piedmont drop-in question and answer session.

AVAILABLE SESSIONS

Each session will be available for 30 minutes. There is no sign up or registration — on the day and time of the session you want to join, simply click the link for that session. Learn more about the available drop-in sessions scheduled throughout the week.  (We will continue to add information for upcoming sessions).

Central Piedmont staff will be available to answer your questions and guide you to helpful resources.

Potential Textbook Delivery Delays and Procedures for Returns

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Barnes & Noble is still closed to the public and may be experiencing delivery delays from its publishers that may impact textbook deliveries for students. The bookstore is processing all textbook orders as quickly as possible, and all student orders are being processed in the manner in which they were received.

Students can log into their B&N accounts to view order status for their deliveries.Please also note that rented textbooks can be returned free via UPS. You will need your order number to print the UPS shipping label. This can be found in the confirmation email from your online order OR if you rented your textbook in store, find it in any of your rental reminder emails. The UPS label can be printed on or before your charge date. Learn more about the easy step-by-step Rental Return instructions. Please visit the Barnes & Noble website or email sm8008@bncollege.com with any questions.​

Central Piedmont To Use Grant Funds for Food Drives to Help At-Risk Students

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Bridge Builders Charlotte, a joint effort between Belk Chapel at Queens University and Chicago-based Interfaith Youth Core, has awarded Central Piedmont a $25,000 grant to promote social justice and educational equity across the Charlotte region.

Bridge Builders Charlotte aims to use campus-community partnerships to overcome social divides and make our community stronger – with a specific aim of strengthening the Charlotte community’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

The grant proposal was spearheaded by Chris Brawley, a religion professor in the Humanities Division at Central Piedmont. The funding will be used to hire three Central Piedmont student interns who will work in conjunction with Central Piedmont’s Student Life department and local nonprofit Loaves and Fishes, to sponsor two food drives during the fall semester that will address the food needs of various faith traditions.

In addition to preparing specially made food boxes and participating in the food drives, interfaith cards will be included in the boxes, highlighting the common call of every religion to serve others. The food drives will be captured on film and distributed to the wider Charlotte community, showing how various faith traditions can work together (and learn from each other) during times of crisis.

Central Piedmont’s project is being funded through the Gambrell Foundation. Collectively, the Gambrell-Foundation is not only helping fund Central Piedmont’s initiative, but also a variety of projects housed at more than 10 faith communities, five other area colleges and universities (Davidson College, Johnson C. Smith University, Queens University, UNC Charlotte and Wingate University), and six nonprofit organizations.

“These projects will forge connections between Charlotte-area campuses, local nonprofit organizations and religiously diverse communities,” Brawley explains. “Central Piedmont is excited to be involved in this process, and an active participant in leveraging Charlotte’s potential to expand opportunity for those who are most vulnerable as result of the coronavirus crisis.”

Blood Drive on Central Campus – Save Lives: Donate Blood

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Central Piedmont along with community blood center, One Blood, will host a blood drive on August 20 from 9:00 a.m – 3 p.m., in the driveway in front of the Overcash building. Space is limited in order to social distance and appointments are required. All donors will receive a FREE OneBlood Tote Bag, as well as a free wellness check (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, pulse, iron count and cholesterol check). Reserve an appointment (use sponsor code #44503) or contact Jesse.Bennett@cpcc.edu with questions.

Get Connected to Student Life!

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You’ve got your schedule, you’ve logged into Blackboard and your Central Piedmont email. What’s next on your list? GET INVOLVED!

Student Life has spent the summer designing fun virtual student experiences and we look forward to a year of social spaces, plenty of opportunity to build personal and professional skills, and ways that you can connect with other students who share your interests and goals. We might be at a distance from one other, but connection still matters (and it helps you be a better student).

Here’s what you can look forward to:

  • Welcome Week: Some fun, including trivia, games and a virtual student club fair!
  • E-Sports: New for 2020! We know lots of you are gamers, and we think this will be a popular addition!
  • Civic Engagement: 2020 has been an important year for our country and community. Find ways to connect to voting, volunteering, important issues, and more!
  • Leadership Development: You can learn more about your talents, developing skills for your career. Our Summer Leadership Academy was popular, and we’ll have new opportunities for brand new and returning student leaders.
  • Current issues: Look for programs and conversations about racial justice, inclusion, making change, and asking tough questions.
  • Wellness: These days can be difficult for everyone, so learning healthy strategies for managing stress and anxiety are important skills.
  • Student Clubs: Virtual organizations are possible! Look for our club fair Aug. 20 and club interest meetings on the calendar soon.

How can you keep posted on what we’re doing? Three easy steps!

  1. Follow @cpccstudentlife on Instagram! The best way to see what we’re all about!
  2. Download the Central Piedmont app (you need it anyhow!) and you can find our Student Life Events Calendar there.
  3. Click here to check out our website and see our events calendar there.

Guidelines for Social Distancing in Classrooms and Labs

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Please watch this video for social distancing guidelines in classrooms and labs. It is important we keep everyone spaced out adequately when in class to ensure a safe learning environment for you, your peers, and instructors. This video offers good recommendations.

You also will find these guidelines on posters that have been put up in all classrooms. And, remember, face masks/coverings are required for everyone!

Thanks for doing your part to keep everyone at Central Piedmont as safe and healthy as possible.

Advisory: Gov. Cooper Extends Phase 2 Until At Least Sept. 11

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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced earlier today (Aug. 5) that Phase Two of statewide coronavirus restrictions will remain in effect until at least Sept. 11, keeping them in place through the Labor Day weekend.

This is the third time the Governor has decided to maintain restrictions that limit the size of gatherings indoors and outdoors in retail stores, restaurants and other businesses. The restrictions also keep bars, gyms, entertainment venues, and some other establishments closed for the time being.

The state has been in Phase Two of COVID-19 restrictions on business and leisure activities since May 22. Restaurant dining rooms are allowed to have 50-percent occupancy, as are personal care businesses such as barbershops, salons, and tattoo parlors.

Central Piedmont announced July 7, that fall semester classes will begin on Aug. 10, and be taught in multiple formats — online, hybrid, blended, and face-to-face. (Hybrid and blended courses include both online and some face-to-face instruction.)

For students who will attend classes on campus, please read the Student Guide to Returning to Campuscarefully. It will be important you follow all of the safety practices detailed in the guide. These include wearing a face covering, keeping a social distance from others, washing your hands frequently, self-monitoring for possible COVID-19 symptoms, and staying home if you feel ill at all.

Employees are encouraged to read the Guide for Returning to Campus to learn how to best keep their teammates and students as healthy and safe as possible going forward.

Class registration for the fall term continues through Aug. 11. Students who would like to make changes to their schedule, may do so through MyCollege until classes start on Aug. 10. We look forward to seeing you next week.

Top Things to Know Before Starting Classes

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We are here to help you, and we are ready to help you reach your academic goals! Familiarize yourself with the college’s Student Support Services which are available to support you this semester.  

Check out these links for help in getting started at Central Piedmont this fall.  

Fall 2020 Parking Decals Not Required for Fall Semester

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Welcome to the new semester!

In consideration of COVID-19, students are not required to display a Fall 2020 parking decal for the duration of the fall term. Tickets will not be issued to students who must return to campus for in-person instruction during this time. Keep in mind, parking will still be enforced so be mindful of marked signage  — spaces that require a handicap permit, visitor spaces, and designated maintenance vehicle or administration spaces — while on campus.

Remember, the vast majority of students should not come to campus on August 10. Your instructor(s) will let you know the exact dates for any on-campus activities, if any, during the semester.

Here are the latest Central Campus parking updates (please see the Central Campus map for locations of parking decks and lots):

PARKING DECKS:

  • Central Campus parking deck #1 –  1321 Charlottetowne Ave.
  • Central Campus parking deck #2 – 1108 Charlottetowne Ave.
  • Central Campus parking deck #3 – 1345 E. 4th St.
  • Central Campus parking deck #4 – 1225 E. 4th St.

PARKING DECK # 2: The elevator in this parking deck is currently offline and students and employees must access the stairwell.

PARKING DECK / LOT AVAILABILITY: With all four parking decks open, in addition to multiple surface lots, there should be plenty of parking to accommodate students and employees. Students may not park in the SunTrust bank lot or risk having your car towed.

Also, please be aware there are construction and maintenance projects on most Central Piedmont campuses – particularly Central Campus – that could cause issues. Please use caution when driving near campus, looking out for pedestrians and people riding bikes and scooters. Local businesses strictly enforce towing.

Download the Central Piedmont app for iPhone or Android to see all campus maps or for more specific information – and follow #cpccparking on Twitter for the most recent parking info.

If you have any questions, please contact the Central Piedmont Information Center at 704.330.2722 (CPCC).

Have a great semester!

Health Acknowledgement Form Required For In-Person Classes

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If you’re attending class on-campus, you must complete the required Health Acknowledgment Form, which is a self-declaration of your current state of health and commitment to following safety best practices while on campus.

Just log in to MyCollege, select “Student Services,” and click on the “Health Acknowledgement and Pre-Check” form at the bottom of the page. 

All students who attend in-person classes will be required to complete the Health Acknowledgment Form every week by Monday. Please also remember to wear a face covering, which is required while on campus.

We need to be sure we’re operating as safely as possible to protect the health and well-being of students and employees. Social distancing will be a key component as we all have a responsibility to keep ourselves and each other safe.

How to Determine When You Report to Campus

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To determine if your classes are online, a mixture of online and in-person, or completely in-person, follow these steps:

  1. Log into MyCollege.
  2. Select ‘Student Planning.’
  3. Select ‘Go to Plan and Schedule.’
  4. Make sure the term at the top of this page says ‘Fall 2020.’
  5. Click on the ‘Print’ button.

This page will give you the clearest view of how your class will be delivered. You can print, print to PDF, or screen capture the schedule from a phone. Please note:

  • In the ‘Location’ column, if you only see ONLINE for that section, there will be no on-campus instruction.
  • If you see only campus buildings and rooms, that class will only meet in-person at the location(s) listed.
  • If you see both ONLINE and a campus building and room, that class will have a mixture of in-person and online instruction.

Also, please note that even with in-person classes, most students will report to campus a limited amount of times. To find out if and when you report to campus:

  1. Log into MyCollege.
  2. Select ‘Student Planning.’
  3. Select ‘Go to Plan and Schedule.’
  4. Make sure the term  says ‘Fall 2020.’
  5. In the “Meeting Information” section, you may have both in-person dates as well as online dates. This means you are in a hybrid or blended course.
  6. Select the course title. Learn more about the course in the “Additional Information” section.

 

Available Library Services Fall 2020

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Welcome to the Fall 2020 Semester! The library is here to support your academic success both in-person and online:

On-Campus Services:

Beginning Aug. 10th, we are pleased to offer a limited range of in-person services at all campus libraries:

  • Book and material check-out
  • Printing/Scanning
  • Computer use by appointment (for urgent academic needs)
  • Interlibrary loan

Library Hours:

  • Central Campus: Monday: 9 am to 7 pm, Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday, 9 am – 4 pm
  • Cato, Harper, Harris, Levine and Merancas Campuses: Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 1 pm
  • All physical locations are closed on Friday (online services available)
  • The Cato Campus Law Library is also currently closed.

Online Services:

The library will continue its robust slate of online services, including:

We also wanted to note that a few services will be unavailable until we are able to enter future phases of re-opening. These services include:

  • Textbook/class material reserves
  • Individual and group study spaces

Check out our short tutorial highlighting our Fall 2020 services! The library’s full re-opening plan is available on our Covid-19 library guide. If you have any questions, call us at 704-330-6635 or chat with us here.

Central Piedmont to Offer Two New Transfer Degrees in Teacher Preparation

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The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges has approved Central Piedmont Community College to offer two, new transfer degree programs in teacher preparation – an Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation and an Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation. The programs will open Aug. 10, the start of Central Piedmont’s fall semester.

These two, new transfer degree programs will help create a larger pipeline for future teachers in North Carolina’s elementary, middle and high schools, addressing the state’s critical teacher shortage, particularly in its more rural counties.

“Our new transfer degrees create seamless pathways for our students to transition into bachelor degree programs and successful teaching careers,” said Edith McElroy, associate vice president for transfer and pre-college. “This seamless pathway strategy will help ensure the North Carolina K-12 education system flourishes and is recognized as a national model for teacher recruitment and preparation in the United States.”

The degrees require 45 semester hours of general education courses and 14 hours of education courses, including one course with a focus on the science of reading instruction.

In addition to creating the two, new degree programs, the State Board of Community Colleges also approved corresponding teacher preparation pathways for high school students enrolled in their respective college’s Career & College Promise program. Career & College Promise is a dual enrollment program that gives eligible high school students the opportunity to get a jump-start and earn free college credit toward a two-year degree at Central Piedmont.

“The college is excited to offer a Career & College Promise teacher pathway,” McElroy said. “Now, the journey to becoming a teacher in Mecklenburg County can begin as early as high school, creating a robust, diverse pool of teachers who are even more prepared to serve all areas of the state in the future.”

For more information about the new associate degree transfer programs in teacher preparation at Central Piedmont, visit https://www.cpcc.edu/programs/teacher-preparation.

Return to Campus Guide for Students

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Whether your classes are online, completely in-person, or a mixture of both, the college is committed to providing a safe environment for our students to learn this fall semester. All Central Piedmont students are expected to follow the protocols and practices outlined in the Student Guide for Returning to Campus. These have been put in place to keep all of us safe when on campus.

By working together – wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, washing our hands frequently, staying home if we feel ill, and keeping our campus spaces clean – we can make the resumption of on-campus classes a success while keeping everyone safe.

Please take the time to read the guide carefully before returning to campus for scheduled classes. The majority of students should not come to campus on August 10 – please check with your instructor or review the step-by-step instructions to determine if and when your class meets on campus.

Please Visit the college’s COVID-19 Web page for the most up-to-date information related to the coronavirus, including our plans to safely return to campus.

Drive-Thru Graduation Ceremonies Celebrate Class of 2020

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In celebration of its Class of 2020, Central Piedmont hosted drive-thru graduation ceremonies July 29 and 30 on its Cato Campus, located in northeast Charlotte. More than 440 Central Piedmont 2020 graduates participated in the two-day event, which included ceremonies for the college’s traditional undergraduate programs, as well as its College and Career Readiness programs (high school completion, Accelerated Career Training, and NCWorks Next Gen).

Central Piedmont’s graduation committee designed the college’s drive-thru graduation ceremonies with the health and well-being of its faculty/staff, students, and their family and friends in mind. As a result, all event volunteers and graduates were asked to wear face coverings, and social distancing and state guidelines were followed during the ceremonies.

“It was important we recognize our 2020 graduates’ accomplishments, especially during this unprecedented time, when so many of them had to overcome multiple obstacles to achieve their educational goals this year,” said Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont, who was on-site both days to personally congratulate graduates. “The Class of 2020 is a resilient group of individuals. I look forward to hearing their many success stories and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”

The college offers nearly 300 programs to get students real-world ready. Affordable and flexible Central Piedmont classes can help students earn the skills to fast track into a career pathway or lay the foundation for a four-year degree. Registration for the fall 2020 term is open. The college looks forward to welcoming new and returning students on Aug. 10.

View the graduation event photo gallery or watch the ceremony live-streams on Facebook.