"On May 17 forty years ago, the General Assembly established the comprehensive North Carolina Community College System to prepare our people to move from the farm to the factory floor," said H. Martin Lancaster.

"Today, a big part of our job is moving them from factory to 'pharma' -- that is, to make sure our citizens are part of the tremendous growth of pharmaceuticals, biomanufacturing and all the other fast-growing aspects of biotechnology. It's appropriate that we celebrate our fortieth anniversary by committing our system to this next great change in our economy."

President Lancaster introduced the Strategic Plan for Meeting Long-Term Skills Needs of North Carolina’s Biomanufacturing Industries and Biotechnology Cluster, prepared by consultants Regional Technology Strategies, Inc. and funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation.

The community college portion of the plan calls for a "BioNetwork" with three major components:

1. A Biotechnology Office for the North Carolina Community College System;
2. A central training/learning center located at a major university, with dedicated space for advance training for community colleges; and
3. Five community college biotechnology centers located on "lead" community college campuses, three dealing with specific subject areas, one with continuing education and one with business start-ups.
4.  

Lancaster described for State Board members the important place biotechnology and related industries already occupy in North Carolina, which has the largest biotechnology community in the south and fifth largest in the country. He quoted statistics saying that more than 32,000 workers are employed in 228 companies in North Carolina, producing seven billion dollars a year in revenues. In a little more than 20 years, that workforce is expected to quadruple.

Lancaster cited the strength of research universities and medical centers, excellent workforce training and partnerships with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and industries as key reasons for North Carolina's success to date.

The North Carolina Community College System and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center are already partners in a comprehensive training program in pharmaceuticals and bioprocessing. Biotechnology, bioprocessing and related disciplines are offered at two-year technical degree programs or collaborations at several community colleges, and transfer programs are underway with research universities.

Board members asked several questions about funding and timing. President Lancaster said that the community colleges are ready to move forward immediately and have funding requests as part of the statewide biotechnology proposal now before the Golden LEAF Foundation and the General Assembly. Those requests also address the plans of the University of North Carolina, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and other partners.

The State Board approved the hiring of two new community college presidents. Lynne M. Bunch is the new President of College of The Albemarle in Elizabeth City, effective immediately. She has been Interim President since August 2002. Most recently Vice President of College Advancement at COA, President Bunch has been at the college since 1983. Dr. G. Dennis Massey was named President of Pitt Community College in Winterville (Greenville). Now Interim President of McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Dr. Massey will start at Pitt this summer, upon the retirement of current President Charles Russell.

In other business, board members heard an analysis of the differing budget proposals prepared by the North Carolina House of Representatives and the North Carolina Senate. Kennon Briggs, Vice President for Business and Finance, explained that the budget is now in conference committee.

Dr. Saundra Williams, Vice President for Administration, provided an update on the College Information Systems (CIS) project. Board members raised concerns about recent publicity about problems in the financial applications. Dr. Williams, joined by Briggs, assured them that solutions to the problems were underway and that community colleges would close out their fiscal years on time.

The North Carolina Community College System is the open door to opportunity, providing world-class workforce training and convenient, quality education resources. For more information about the history and current programs of the North Carolina Community College System, or for interview or additional story ideas, contact Audrey Bailey at the System Office, 919-733-7051 ext. 302. For details on biotechnology and biomanufacturing programs, contact Dr. Larry Keen, Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development, 919-733-7051, ext. 407; or Dr. Delores Parker, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Services, 919-733-7051, ext. 413.

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