AWARDS
NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY COLLEGES AWARDS
Each year, the State Board of Community Colleges bestows a series of awards to recognize excellence and commitment to the community college mission. The 2026 Award Process opens on October 7, 2025, with nominations accepted through November 10, 2025 (11:59PM). The nomination period for student awards is October 7, 2025 through December 5, 2025.
Spirit Awards
I.E. Ready Lifetime Achievement Award
Overview: This award honors individuals who make significant statewide contributions to the North Carolina Community College System. Recipients of this award demonstrate leadership and commitment to the enhancement and development of the System, impacting multiple service areas or contributing to the betterment of the entire state.
History: The I.E. Ready Award is the highest honor bestowed by the State Board of Community Colleges. This award was established by the State Board on October 10, 1985, as an honorary award and was re-named for I.E. Ready, the first System President on April 9, 1987.
Eligibility:
- Current Employment: The nominee cannot be actively employed at a community college or the System Office.
- Impact: The nominee’s contributions should be notable across multiple service areas or the entire state.
- Eligibility Criteria & Nomination Questions
- Nomination Deadline: November 10
- See 2025 Press Release
- See List of Previous Winners
Dallas Herring Achievement Award
Overview: Named after the late Dr. Dallas Herring – one of the state's earliest advocates for community colleges – this award is presented to a student who embodies Dr. Herring’s philosophy of "taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go." The award was established in 2010 and awarded annually to a current or former student.
- See 2025 Press Release
- Nomination Deadline: December 5
Please submit all nominations via ServiceNow Student Awards.
Faculty & Staff Awards
Excellence in Teaching
Overview: This award recognizes outstanding faculty who exemplify high-quality instruction and make significant contributions to the North Carolina Community College System.
History: The Excellence in Teaching Award was established by the State Board of Community Colleges in 1985.
Eligibility: Any current faculty member is eligible, excluding past award recipients. Each college may nominate one faculty member per year.
- Eligibility Criteria & Nomination Questions
- Nomination Deadline: November 10
- See List of Previous Winners
- See 2025 Press Release
Staff Person of the Year
Overview: This award honors outstanding non-teaching staff members who exemplify exceptional performance and dedication to the community college mission across the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System and the System Office.
Eligibility: Any permanent, full-time or part-time staff member, excluding instructors, presidents, System Office employees, and past award recipients, is eligible. Each institution may submit only one nomination per year.
- Eligibility Criteria & Nomination Questions
- Nomination Deadline: November 10
- See List of Previous Winners
- See 2025 Press Release
President of the Year
Overview: This award recognizes exceptional leadership and achievements of a community college president who has made significant contributions to their institution and the broader North Carolina Community College System.
History: The President of the Year Award was established by the State Board of Community Colleges in 2001. This award encourages, identifies, and rewards outstanding leadership and commitment to the community college mission among the presidents of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System.
Eligibility: Any current president of an institution within the North Carolina Community College System at the time of the award is eligible, except for past award recipients.
- Eligibility Criteria & Nomination Questions
- Nomination Deadline: November 10
- See List of Previous Winners
- See 2025 Press Release
Workforce Development Pinnacle Awards
The Workforce Development Pinnacle Award, previously known as Distinguished Partners in Excellence, was created by the State Board in 2006 to honor a
company, business or industry group and its community college partner(s) whose joint efforts have resulted in significant benefits to the professional development of its employees, or individuals pursuing job training/retraining for future employment and/or honor a company, business or industry group and its community college partner(s), with the result of that collaborative effort creating significant benefits to the community or to regional/state economic
development recognizes employers, businesses, and industry groups that show exceptional commitment to professional development and the advancement of North Carolina’s workforce through partnerships with our 58 community colleges.
Apprenticeship Champion
Overview: Businesses that provide significant apprenticeship or internship opportunities in collaboration with community colleges.
- Eligibility Criteria & Nomination Questions
- Nomination Deadline: November 10
- See List of All Previous Winners
- See 2025 Press Release
Innovative Leadership
Overview: Businesses that have implemented novel or creative strategies with community colleges.
- Eligibility Criteria & Nomination Questions
- Nomination Deadline: November 10
- See List of All Previous Winners
- See 2025 Press Release
Business of the Year (>500 employees)
Overview: Large businesses demonstrating substantial workforce development impact. The award was established in 2024.
- Eligibility Criteria & Nomination Questions
- Nomination Deadline: November 10
- See List of All Previous Winners
- See 2025 Press Release
Business of the Year (<500 employees)
Overview: Small and mid-sized businesses with exceptional workforce development impact. The award was established in 2024.
- Eligibility Criteria & Nomination Questions
- Nomination Deadline: November 10
- See List of All Previous Winners
- See 2025 Press Release
Student Awards
The nomination period for student awards below is October 7 - December 5, 2025.
Academic Excellence Award
- Awarded to one student from each of the 58 community colleges.
- Students must be currently enrolled, have completed at least 12 semester hours in a curriculum degree program, 9 hours in a diploma program, or 6 hours in a certificate program, and have a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.25
- Recipients receive a plaque and medallion in honor of their academic accomplishments.
Please submit all nominations via ServiceNow Student Awards.
Nomination Deadline: December 5
Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award
- Created in 2004 by the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents to recognize student leadership and honor former Governor Bob Scott.
- Designed to highlight outstanding curriculum student leadership and service.
Please submit all nominations via ServiceNow Student Awards.
Nomination Deadline: December 5
2026 Application Process & Timeline
- The nomination period for 2026 awards will be from October 7, 2025 through November 10, 2025 (11:59PM).
- The nomination period for student awards will be from October 7, 2025 through December 5, 2025.
- The State Board of Community Colleges will make announcements about the awards after the January 2026 State Board meeting.
- The award dinner is scheduled for April 15, 2026.
For more information on eligibility criteria, guidelines, and the nomination process, please refer to the respective award sections or contact SBCCAwards@nccommunitycolleges.edu.