As president of Cape Fear Community College, I am often asked what makes community college unique. The answer is simple: it’s in our name.

The word “college” brings to mind degrees, classrooms, and career preparation. But the true power of Cape Fear Community College lies in the word “community." That word defines how we serve, teach, and measure success.

Being a community college means we are more than an academic institution. We are a partner in regional workforce development, a gathering place for culture and connection, and a trusted resource for our neighbors. Our classrooms extend far beyond campus buildings, and the learning that happens here creates an immediate, tangible impact throughout the Cape Fear region.

Nowhere is our impact more visible than in our new dental clinic and expanded barbering facilities. The dental clinic represents a major investment in both student training and community health. Updated technology and expanded space have allowed us to double our capacity, increasing access to affordable cleanings, preventive care, and essential dental services for families throughout the region. Just as importantly, students gain hands-on experience in a modern clinical setting that reflects the professional environments they will soon enter.

Our barbering program has grown in similar ways. The expanded barbershop now accommodates twice as many clients, giving students more opportunities to practice their craft while providing quality, low-cost haircuts to the public in a professional setting.

That same model extends to our cosmetology and aesthetics programs. In our learning salons and treatment rooms, students work directly with clients seeking hair, skincare, and spa services. Community members receive professional, affordable care, while students build confidence and technical expertise through real-world experience. In each of these spaces, service and instruction move hand in hand, strengthening skills, supporting neighbors, and reinforcing the true purpose of a community college.

Hands-on learning takes many forms at CFCC. In our skilled trades programs, students in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and interior design work alongside community partners, including Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM) and Welcome Home Angel, to repair and improve homes for families in need. As they build technical expertise, they also help create safer, more stable living environments across our region.

That same spirit of connection thrives at CFCC’s Wilson Center, the largest performing arts center and learning laboratory in Eastern North Carolina. The Wilson Center is more than a performance venue; it is where education, culture, and community come together. From Broadway productions and nationally recognized artists to local performances and student showcases, the Wilson Center brings world-class experiences to our region. Through programs like Hello Arts! and other community engagement initiatives, we work to ensure that the arts remain accessible to all. At the same time, CFCC students gain invaluable behind-the-scenes experience in technical theater, hospitality, and arts management, preparing them for careers while enriching our local arts community.

Community colleges are often evaluated by important metrics such as graduation rates, transfer success, and job placement. These numbers matter. But they do not fully capture the daily ways a community college serves our community members. Impact can also be found in healthier smiles, renewed confidence, and families who can access services they might otherwise forgo. It is reflected in a veteran discovering a new passion while volunteering at the Wilson Center or a working parent gaining skills that lead to greater stability. These moments may not always appear in a report, but they define who we are.

At Cape Fear Community College, we are proud to play an integral role in this region. Our mission is not only to prepare students for the future, but to serve the present, to respond to community needs, open doors of opportunity, and build bridges between education and everyday life.

That is what it truly means to put the community at the center of a community college.