🎬 Casting Call: Be an Extra in Central Piedmont’s Upcoming Marketing Video!

Student poses for the camera in a Central Piedmont tshirtWe’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!

📚✨ Self-Care Collection at the Central Piedmont Library!

Library stacks and tables with chairs and computer stations

Looking for a new way to de-stress and recharge? The Central Piedmont Library is excited to introduce its Self-Care Collection, designed to help you relax, refocus, and refresh! 🌿💆‍♂️

🧘 What’s Available for 7-Day Checkout?

📦 Morphee Sophrology Box – Meditation & sleep aid 💤
💡 Happy Light LED Therapy Lamp – Boost your mood ☀️
🔊 Dohm Sleep Aid/White Noise Machine – Improve sleep & focus 🎶
🪨 Peaceful Pebble – Mindfulness breathing techniques 🌬️
🎨 Buddha Board – Zen water painting for relaxation 🎭

🔗 Learn more about these self-care tools here: Self-Care Collection

📍 Where to Find Them?

These self-care tools are available at each campus library for 7-day checkouts!

🙌 Special Thanks

A huge thank you to the Central Piedmont Foundation for making this collection possible!

📩 Questions? Contact Jennifer Arnold at jennifer.arnold@cpcc.edu.

Take a break. Take care of yourself. You deserve it! 💙

🎟️ Discounted tickets to Carolina Ascent FC playoff game

Playoff special ticket offer flyerThe 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! 👑

🔧 Central Piedmont Launches “Accelerate to Success” Automotive Program

A student works on a large engine.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.

Region’s best investment: Central Piedmont’s class of 2025 builds lives, fuels the economy

Graduates take a selfie while confetti falls at commencementOn May 15, Central Piedmont awarded degrees, diplomas, and credentials to 1,736 students whose personal and academic journeys are shaping the region’s future. The ceremonies, held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Bojangles Coliseum, celebrated a graduating class rich in determination, diversity, and purpose.

Student speaker Shenise Young opened the morning ceremony with a moving message of perseverance. Once a college dropout with a 0.827 GPA, Shenise returned to Central Piedmont as a wife and mother of two and completed her associate degree in arts.

“Central Piedmont didn’t just give us a degree. They loved us, believed in us, and gave us a chance some of us didn’t think we deserved,” said Young. “We’ve been given a solid foundation—and now we are built differently.”

Across both ceremonies:

  • 198 graduates completed programs in nursing and allied health
  • 106 in information technology
  • 119 in hospitality, entrepreneurship, and service industries
  • 78 in trades and automotive careers
  • 36 in engineering

In addition, the college awarded $723,300 in scholarships to 263 students. Over half of the graduates will transfer to four-year institutions, including UNC Charlotte, Appalachian State, and N.C. State.

“This is how a region builds its future,” said Central Piedmont President Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer. “We educate the people who care for our families, power our businesses, and shape our communities—and they do it while working, parenting, and overcoming tremendous obstacles.”

Student Spotlights

  • Shenise Young – Shared her story of redemption and renewed purpose as student speaker.
  • Tyshon Freeman – From high school dropout to logistics leader, earning a degree in Supply Chain Management.
  • Kiona White – Survivor of domestic violence and homelessness, now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work.
  • Maryann Ingram – A 65-year-old Charlotte native and caregiver earning her high school diploma through the Career and College Readiness program.
  • Chloe Mbongo – Delivered a heartfelt speech on starting again after setbacks, now a President’s List student.
  • Laura Oviedo-Loyola – A young mother of two graduating from the automotive program with plans to open her own shop.
  • Rakia Regan – Overcame homelessness and domestic violence while earning a Medical Office Administration degree; now employed full-time at a hospital.
  • Fawad Ataee – Afghan American who raised his GPA from 0.7 to 3.8 while supporting his family; heading to UNC Charlotte to study project management.

These graduates embody Central Piedmont’s mission: providing accessible, life-changing education that fuels economic mobility and community strength.

“We don’t just offer classes, we open doors,” said Deitemeyer. “Every diploma represents new energy and talent flowing into our region.”

What you need to know about rising measles cases in U.S.

Two physicians reviewing an ultrasoundAlthough 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.

🍴 Experience Global Flavors at the Line Cooking Class

Central Piedmont food truckGet 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!

🎉 Shoutout to Our 2024–2025 Student Ambassadors!

Group shot of student ambassadorsThe 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!

Email Security Update for Students

students in a computer labStarting 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.

Global Scholars Complete Journey of Academic and Cultural Excellence

Global Scholars in front of the clock tower on Central CampusWe 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!

Student Excellence Awards 2025 🌟

Student holding two awards from 2025 Student Excellence Awards celebration

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!

Looking to grow your industry-related skills this summer?

A student receives help from a staff member in the library📌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.

🌍 Truist Honors Scholar Selected for Prestigious Summer Global Leadership Institute

Merit Chukwukere head shot

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.

💆‍♀️ Relax and Recharge: Summer Massage Clinic Now Booking!

Massage student working on a client

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

❤️ Kick Off Summer by Saving Lives – OneBlood Blood Drive

Parr CenterCalling 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.

🧠 May is Mental Health Awareness Month — Prioritize Your Well-Being

Photo inside the new Wellness Center

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:

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

🎨 Student Spotlight: Itala Flores

Itala Flores headshot

Itala Flores, an upcoming Central Piedmont graduate, has transformed her passion for art into a powerful journey of creativity, leadership, and perseverance. From her early days working with clay to presenting at national conferences and showcasing designs across the U.S. and Europe, Itala’s story exemplifies how dedication and opportunity can shape a remarkable future.

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Itala moved to North Carolina in 2004. After starting a family and enrolling in English classes at Central Piedmont, her husband’s love of oil painting inspired her to explore her own artistic talents. When she returned to Central Piedmont two decades later, she found her home in the art studios.

🎨 Achievements at Central Piedmont:

  • Developed her own pottery technique, “drypott”
  • Created a dress design displayed at the Central Campus library
  • Hosted her first solo exhibition and fashion show
  • Showcased work at public events and placed third in the Student Show
  • Debut metal sculpture featured in the 2025 Student Juror Show

🌟 Academic and Leadership Involvement:

  • Truist Honors Program
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
  • Student Ambassador
  • Central Piedmont Foundation Ambassador
  • Recipient of the Levine Scholarship, Kappy McClenaghan Scholarship, and the Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship

🌍 Artistic Recognition Beyond Campus:

  • Participant in Art Pop Street Gallery and Charlotte Fashion Week
  • Invitations to Charleston and Paris Fashion Week
  • Collaborations with Team Topher and Opera Carolina
  • Named Emerging Artist of the Year (2020) by Art Si
  • Recipient of the Hispanic Pride Award (2021) from Progreso Hispano

🎓 What’s Next?

Itala will transfer to Winthrop University this fall to complete her bachelor’s degree in fine art, supported by a $16,000 scholarship. Her dreams include focusing on sustainable fashion and opening her own gallery and studio.

Her journey is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the community support found at Central Piedmont.

10% Discount Available for Summer Camps at Central Piedmont

Drone CampCentral 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.

👔 Duke Energy Donates Thousands of Professional Clothing Items to Central Piedmont

Volunteer sorting clothes in the Professional Clothing Closet

Duke Energy has generously donated thousands of pieces of professional clothing to Central Piedmont Community College to support students as they prepare to enter the workforce.

The clothing will be added to the college’s Professional Clothing Closet, which provides free business attire to students needing appropriate clothing for interviews, internships, job fairs, and workplace settings.

This donation will help remove barriers to success and ensure that students can approach career opportunities with confidence and professionalism.

Central Piedmont is grateful for Duke Energy’s partnership and commitment to empowering students and supporting workforce development.

🔗 Read the full story

🔬 STEM Tank Season 7 Showcases Student Innovation and Research Excellence

Group of STEM Tank student participants posing on the stairs

On April 25, 35 Central Piedmont students put their creativity, research, and problem-solving skills to the test at the STEM Tank Season 7 competition. Participants developed and presented research proposals addressing challenges on campus or in the local community, building valuable critical thinking, communication, and presentation skills along the way.

Judges Mr. Jordan Bertke, Dr. Carole Ingram, and Dr. Alain Miatudila evaluated each team’s innovative solutions and hard work.

🏆 Winners:

🥇 First Place – Tap-In
An RFID-based system designed to record student attendance through ID card scans, offering real-time data storage, security, and improved administrative tracking.
Team: Abdelilah Guebdouri, Bintou Keita, Areli Peru, Donavyn Phillips, Miguel Segundo
Research Mentor: Mrs. Lauren Carter

🥈 Second Place – Wi-Fix
A Wi-Fi Booster to enhance the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) in Central Piedmont buildings with poor radio wave reception.
Team: Ezekiel Amoako, Micah Monaghan, Nobin Subba, Robert Winecoff
Research Mentor: Dr. Hisham Abdel-Aal

🥉 Third Place – LinkU
A student success platform to centralize support systems, improve resource access, and foster peer connections for community college and trade school students.
Team: Wonjun Choi, Jayasmita Datta, Jean Paul Kabangu, Sierra Lawson
Research Mentor: Mrs. Serenity Stokes

Congratulations to all the students and mentors for their dedication and impressive work. STEM Tank Season 7 proved once again that Central Piedmont students are ready to tackle real-world challenges with innovation and teamwork! 👏