Learn and Earn, Matlock, Memari, Sullins

News Release: February 17, 2005

Contact: Public Affairs (919) 807-6963

New high schools provide opportunity for community colleges to forge new ground

(Click here for Power Point overview.)

RALEIGH: "Rigor, Relevance and Relationships" aptly describes the participation of North Carolina's community colleges in the Learn and Earn initiative. Today, February 17, the State Board of Community College had the opportunity to learn more about the role community colleges will play in creating a new learning experience for North Carolina high school students and to take a major step in creating the new schools.

The State Board of Community College approved Cooperative Innovative High School Program designations requested by eight community colleges. These designations will lead to eight "Early College High Schools" that will be part of the Learn and Earn project. Early College High Schools will be located at Davidson County, Edgecombe, Guilford Technical, Mitchell, Robeson, Sampson, Central Carolina and South Piedmont Community Colleges.

Learn and Earn is a primary initiative of Governor Easley, who wants to see 100 new high schools across North Carolina by 2009. The first five opened in the fall of 2004 with the conversion of existing Middle College High Schools, and the implementation process for ten more to open in 2005 also begins this spring. Most of these new high schools will be located on community college campuses. They will offer the opportunity for graduates to leave after five years with not only a high school diploma, but with either a college transfer associate degree or two years of transferable college credit.

Ken Whitehurst, associate vice president for academic and student services for the NCCCS, gave the State Board an overview of the program. It is a major collaborative effort involving the State Board of Education, Department of Public Instruction, public schools, public and private universities and their boards, the Office of the Governor and the General Assembly. Private business will also play a major role in this endeavor.

The primary goal of Learn and Earn is to increase preparedness for work and college, graduation rates and the number of high school graduates and to decrease dropouts, suspensions, achievement gaps and violence.

J.B. Buxton, Gov. Easley's education advisor, came to answer questions and convey the Governor's appreciation to community colleges for their cooperation on this initiative. "Thank you for the leading role community colleges play in making this a success," he told the Board.

In other action the State Board:

Welcomed new student representative Mani Memari, president of the North Carolina Comprehensive Community Colleges Student Government Association (N4CSGA). North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Paul M. Newby swore in Mr. Memari as a new Board member.

Left to right: Mani Memari, SBCC and Supreme Court Justice Paul M. Newby

Approved Mr. Richard W. Sullins as Executive Director of the State Board & Executive Assistant to the President, effective March 7. Sullins is presently Director of College Relations at Mayland Community College in Spruce Pine. He replaces Dr. Tim Brewer, who will assume the post of Vice President of Academic Affairs at Mitchell Community College in Statesville on March 1.

Recognized Southeastern Community College President Kathy Matlock. Dr. Matlock has been on the job since October 2004, but this was her first opportunity to meet the entire State Board. She told the Board she was "thrilled" to be able to return to North Carolina. She served as the chief academic officer for Blue Ridge Community College from 1991 through 1997 and was then president of South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado, Arkansas for seven years.

Left: Dr. Kathy Matlock, President Southeastern Community College

Approved the third round of BioNetwork Grants for Innovation ($183,385.00) and Equipment and Related Facility Enhancements ($721,793.00). Funding is provided by the Golden LEAF BioNetwork allocation to the System Office.

Adopted a resolution honoring retired Legislative Fiscal Analyst Charlotte Todd for her many years of service to the Community College System, particularly during its historic growth years and extensive preliminary work on the 2000 Education Bond. System President Martin Lancaster thanked Todd for her "incredible" service and Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue said the NCCCS "would not be where it is today with out Charlotte’s blood, sweat, and tears."

Left to right: Kennon Briggs, Vice President Business and Finance, Charlotte Todd, NCCCS President H. Martin Lancaster, SBCC Vice Chair Hilda Pinnix-Ragland

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