The Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce and Mint Hill Marketing presents the Charlotte AI Summit 2025, hosted in partnership with Central Piedmont’s Small Business Center and Central Piedmont’s Technology Division, featuring the Asian American Foundation of the Carolinas, Savvy Pioneer, the Social Media Club Charlotte, SEI Charlotte, and AI Inno Council.

Join us here at Central Piedmont on Friday, June 20, for an exciting day highlighting artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, risk management, and employment opportunities for students.

This event is open to the public and registration is free. It runs from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and takes place on Central Campus, Parr Center.

Expert Panelists

• Tiffany Benitez – CSM, SAFe, ITIL, Head of Data Governance, Compass Group USA
• John Kotch – Co-Founder, Head of Technology + Strategy, Ion Data Consulting
• Joseph Little – Associate Dean of Technology, Central Piedmont Community College
• Antonio Mañueco – Managing Principal Consultant of AI and Technology, SEI
• Celestine Pressley – Executive Partner, Gartner
• Katherine Wong – Transformation Solutions Consultant, SEI
• Linda Yang, MHA, CHCIO, CDH-E, QTE, CSBI – Executive Director of Information Strategy and Analytics, Family Health Initiatives

Interactive Roundtable + Workshops
Participate in a dynamic roundtable discussion, diving deeper into AI applications and industry-specific use cases.

• Richard Harbridge – Chief Technology Officer, 2toLead*
• Abhilasha Juneja – Founder + CEO, FlairX*
• Julina Kamiya – AI-Powered Robot Trainer
• Candice Kelly – Founder, Make it Happen Month, Information Management Specialist, ECS
• John Kotch – Co-Founder, Head of Technology + Strategy, Ion Data Consulting
• Joe Little – Associate Dean of Technology, Central Piedmont Community College
• Antonio Mañueco – Managing Principal Consultant of AI and Technology, SEI
  *Virtual Workshop

The Charlotte AI Summit is brought to you by:

• Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce
• Asian American Foundation for the Carolinas
• Central Piedmont Community College
• Central Piedmont Small Business Center
• AI Innovation Council
• SEI
• Savvy Pioneer
• Mint Hill Marketing
• Social Media Club Charlotte
• Social Media Club Global

Want to see the latest additions to the library?

Check out the recently added books, videos, and electronic resources.

We’re excited to invite you to appear as an extra in one of Central Piedmont’s upcoming marketing videos! This is a fantastic opportunity to experience a professional film set—and have some fun while you’re at it.

📅 Filming Dates:
Monday, June 23 and Tuesday, June 24

Who We’re Looking For:

• Current Central Piedmont students
• Theater students or aspiring actors
• Anyone with an interest in film and photography

🎁 Perks:
All selected participants will receive a $50 Visa gift card for their time.

🎬 What’s Required:

• Arrive on time for your assigned call time and location
• Bring 2–3 shirt options to wear on set
• Be available for a 2–3 hour time slot, depending on your scene

To express interest or ask questions, please email the producer directly with the following:

• Your program of study
• A cell phone number
• A few recent selfies or headshots

We hope to see you on set!

The Carolina Ascent FC has clinched the best regular season record in the Super League and earned the Players Shield Trophy, securing home-field advantage for the playoffs! This historic achievement puts the Queen City on the brink of its first-ever Major League Championship, led by Charlotte’s only women’s professional team.

🎉 Playoff Kickoff Game Details

📅 Saturday, June 8
🕖 7 p.m.
📍 American Legion Memorial Stadium 
🎶 Pregame concert, special effects, soccer trick artist, and more high-energy fun!

Help us Pack the Pitch and show support for our hometown trailblazers by attending the inaugural playoff match! Central Piedmont students, faculty, and staff can access a special discounted ticket offer:

✅ 25% off Adult Tickets
✅ 50% off Kids Tickets
🔗 Get Your Discounted Tickets

Let’s rally behind Carolina Ascent FC as they chase the crown! 👑

This summer, Central Piedmont will launch an exciting new opportunity for local high school students—Accelerate to Success—a fast-track automotive program designed for 25 rising seniors from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Running June 16 through July 31, the program offers students a chance to take college-level automotive classes, earn a 14-credit College & Career Promise Certification, and gain the tools and experience they need to launch careers in the automotive industry.

Classes will be held at the Hendrick Center for Automotive Technology on Central Piedmont’s Levine Campus and include:
🔹 Introduction to Transportation
🔹 PC Skills for Transportation
🔹 Basic Electrical Systems
🔹 Climate Control Systems

💡 More Than Just Classes

Thanks to generous funding from the Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation, Faison Enterprises, and The Merancas Foundation, students will receive:
🍽️ Daily lunch
💸 Weekly financial supplement
🚐 Transportation support
🧰 A professional automotive toolkit courtesy of Charlotte ToolBank

🙌 Made Possible by Community Partners

This innovative workforce initiative reflects the power of community collaboration and shared investment in student success.

• Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation invests in bold ideas and leadership to drive positive outcomes in education and beyond.
• Faison Enterprises supports workforce readiness initiatives as part of its mission to honor founder Henry J. Faison’s legacy.
• The Merancas Foundation focuses on empowering families experiencing economic hardship.
• Charlotte ToolBank provides the tools and equipment needed to support hands-on volunteerism and career readiness.

Together, these partners are helping students transition from classroom to career with confidence and purpose.

Although there are no new measles cases in North Carolina, cases are increasing across the United States, raising concern, especially in places with large, close-knit communities, such as college campuses.

What is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus. If one person has it, up to nine out of 10 unvaccinated people nearby will become infected.

Symptoms

1. High fever (can spike over 104°F)
2. Cough and runny nose
3. Red, watery eyes
4. Rash that starts on the face and spreads
5. Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)

Why it’s serious

Measles can lead to:

1. Ear infections
2. Severe diarrhea
3. Pneumonia
4. Brain swelling (encephalitis)
5. Death in rare cases

How you can stay protected

1. Get vaccinated: The MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles.
2. Not sure if you’re vaccinated? Ask your healthcare provider or call Mecklenburg County Public Health at 704-336-6500.
3. Feeling sick? Stay home and call your doctor before going in.
4. Report suspected cases to Mecklenburg County Public Health: 980-314-9201.

College communities are at higher risk due to close contact—take steps to protect yourself and those around you.

Learn more at cdc.gov/measles.

For questions or concerns, please contact ehs@cpcc.edu.

Get ready to taste the world! The Line Cooking Class, also known as The FOOD TRUCK CLASS, invites the community to enjoy free food samples prepared by culinary students at Central Piedmont.

Led by instructor A. Cooper, this unique culinary experience offers a rotating menu of dishes from breakfast to dinner, inspired by cuisines from around the globe. It’s more than just a tasting—it’s a chance to support students gaining real-world cooking and service experience.

📅 Sample Days:

• May 28 & May 30
• June 3 & June 5
• June 10 & June 12
• June 16 & June 19

⏰ Time: 5– 6:30 p.m. (or until samples run out)

📍 Location:
In front of the North Classroom Building Courtyard on
Central Campus

Why Attend?
Your participation helps students practice cooking to order and managing the full cycle of food service—from prep to plate. Come hungry and leave inspired!

The Outreach and Recruitment Office is proud to give a huge congratulations and heartfelt thank you to our 2024–2025 Student Ambassadors! 👏

This amazing group of student leaders has provided tours to over 580 prospective students from 35+ high schools and community groups, helping to showcase what makes Central Piedmont so special.

We’re incredibly grateful for your dedication, energy, and the welcoming experience you’ve created for future students.💙

🙌 Thank You, 2024–2025 Student Ambassador Team:

• Damaris Arroyo
• Amanda Hewitt
• Angel Jones
• Emily Croom
• Jean Paul Kabangu
• Aine Grady
• Melissa Cesar
• Valeria Jara Nunez
• Crystal Pamacheche

🎓 Special Congratulations to Our Graduating Ambassadors:

• Deondra McBryde
• Alisia Rea
• Reese Goral
• Itala Flores

Thank you for representing Central Piedmont with pride, professionalism, and spirit!

Starting May 29, student email accounts will be protected by Proofpoint, the same spam filtering system currently used by employees. This added layer of email security will help reduce spam and phishing attempts.

To learn how to manage your spam settings, view the Proofpoint User Guide.

No action is needed before May 29. After the transition, students will begin receiving daily spam digests and can log in to Proofpoint (spam.cpcc.edu) to review quarantined messages and manage block/allow lists.

For questions or support, contact the ITS Service Desk via the client portal.

We are proud to highlight the remarkable achievements of our students who completed the NC Scholars of Global Distinction program with a ceremony on May 2. This program demands a deep commitment to global understanding through academics and immersive experiences.

The following scholars met all requirements, including completing 15 credit hours of globally-focused courses, participating in eight globally-focused events, and dedicating over 30 hours to a global immersion experience:

• Sabina Darjee
• Sara Sadrnia
• Ethan Smith
• Yin Theint
• Megan Wadsworth
• Shenise Young

Each scholar also crafted a reflective portfolio and delivered a capstone presentation, showcasing their comprehensive learning journey.

We extend our gratitude to the dedicated faculty and staff who made this celebration possible: Teresa Hall, Sydia Fenner, Olivia Stockwell, Alisson Garcia, and Marjorie Carihua.

Congratulations to our Global Scholars!

Thank You for Celebrating Student Excellence!

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Friday for the Student Excellence Awards in Halton Theater! It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students’ academic achievements, outstanding leadership, and Impact in the community

🌟 Academic Excellence: 67 recipients
🌟 Student Leadership (Individual): 23 recipients
🌟 Student Leadership (Group): 20 recipients
🌟 Service Excellence: 10 recipients

Congratulations to all of our honorees for their dedication, impact, and commitment to excellence at Central Piedmont!

📌Forage is a free experiential education platform that allows you to:

• Engage in 300+ real-world job simulations that align with your career interests
• Receive resume and discussion points after completing a job simulation
• Explore tasks related to a particular industry
• Get Started: Please visit the Forage Landing Page to sign up and discover ways to strengthen or develop new career-ready skills.

📌In addition, Work-based Learning (WBL) is a semester-based program that gives you an opportunity to work and learn in your field of study. WBL comes in various forms with the most common being internship, part-time, and full-time employment. Through your time in WBL, you will:

• Gain industry experience
• Earn college credit
• Build career connections
• Learn More: You can meet with a Workplace Learning Coordinator at any campus or virtually by contacting workplace.learning@cpcc.edu.

Congratulations to Merit Chukwukere, a Central Piedmont Truist Honors Scholar, for being selected to participate in the inaugural Summer Global Leadership Institute (SGLI) in New York City!

Merit is one of only 19 students chosen from across the nation’s community colleges that are members of Community Colleges for International Development (CCID)—a major honor that reflects her drive, excellence, and global vision.

🌟 About the Institute:

Hosted by Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) in partnership with CCID and Lone Star College, this competitive program provides:

• 🌐 Immersive workshops on global diplomacy
• 🎓 Interactive sessions with diplomats, policy experts, and academic leaders
• 🗽 Cultural experiences across New York City to build global awareness and leadership

🧭 Merit’s Mission:

This opportunity brings Merit one step closer to her goal of becoming a Public Health Advocate, focused on raising awareness of healthcare disparities and increasing access to critical health resources.

She’s not just preparing for a career—she’s preparing to make an impact.

👏 Please join us in celebrating this incredible milestone with Merit and the Truist Honors Program, where students are constantly striving for beyond what’s next.

Take some time for yourself this summer with a full-body massage at Central Piedmont’s Student Massage Therapy Clinic! 🌿

Massage Therapy students are putting their skills into practice, offering 60-minute sessions under the supervision of licensed faculty. It’s a great way to support student learning while enjoying some well-deserved relaxation.

🗓️ Clinic Details:

📅 Dates: June 17 – July 1
🕘 Days: Monday – Friday (by appointment only)
📍 Location: Central Campus, Leon Levine Health Sciences Center, Room 301
💰 Price: $25 for a 60-minute massage
(Card or Apple Pay accepted – no cash payments)

💆 Techniques Offered:

• Swedish Massage: Firm but gentle pressure to promote relaxation and ease muscle tension

• Featured Technique: Deep Tissue Massage: Targets chronic muscle tension using slow, focused strokes

📲 Ready to Book?

🔗 Schedule Your Appointment

Calling all students, faculty, and staff—let’s make a difference together! Central Piedmont is hosting the first OneBlood Blood Drive of the season, and your donation could help save lives. Whether it’s your first time donating or you’re a seasoned giver, every drop counts.

🩸 OneBlood Blood Drive 

📅 Date: Tuesday, May 20
🕘 Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
📍 Location: Central Campus – Blood Mobile near South Quad (near Giles Building)

Let’s come together as a campus community and kick off the summer with purpose and impact. Your donation could be the reason someone gets another chance.

Did you know that 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness, and 1 in 20 experience a serious mental illness?

This Mental Health Awareness Month, Central Piedmont Counseling Services encourages everyone to take time to learn more about mental health, break down stigma, and focus on self-care and well-being.

🌿 Here’s how you can start:

✅ Check out 31 daily tips to boost your mental health from Mental Health America
✅ Reach out for support when you need it
✅ Practice small daily habits that support your mental and emotional health

💚 Resources at Central Piedmont:

• Access free, confidential support through Counseling Services
• Visit the Wellness Center for well-being tools and community resources

You are not alone—and support is always here. 💙

Central Piedmont offers a number of summer camps for rising 4th-12th graders, and a 10 percent discount is available for employees and students.

Camps are available in areas such as Arts & Expression, Cosmetology, Technology & Gaming, and Health, Science & Law and run from June 23-Aug. 7.

Visit the summer camps page and use promo code MQU5P7YKNN to receive the discount. The discount is valid on new enrollments only. Registration closes 10 days prior to the start date or when all spots are filled.