NC Community Colleges Announces Transformative New Endowment Focused on Student Experience and Innovation
Published: March 20, 2026
State Board Chair Tom and Lucy Looney’s catalytic gift will fuel technology-driven projects and systemic changes that will deliver a world-class customer experience for every student across the System’s 58 colleges.
RALEIGH, NC – March 20, 2026 – The NC Community College System announced a $100,000 catalytic gift from State Board Chairman Tom Looney and his wife, Lucy Looney, establishing the Endowment for Student Experience and Innovation. The new fund, which the NC Community Colleges Foundation will help grow to a $1 million endowment, will fuel technology-driven projects and systemic changes aimed at delivering a world-class customer experience for every student across the System’s 58 colleges.
Chairman Looney, drawing on his background in the technology industry, emphasized that true success in higher education, much like in business, must be customer-driven. “Today’s students live in a digital-first world, expecting fast, seamless, and personalized service,” said Chairman Tom Looney. “This endowment is a commitment to funding real-world, scalable technology projects that will transform the entire student journey, from recruitment to career placement, and turn our system into a responsive, connected, and truly customer-driven organization.”
Inaugural Student Experience Council
The implementation of the new endowment includes the launch of the inaugural Student Experience Council, a group modeled after how leading companies listen to their customers. This Council will ensure that student voices directly inform State Board and System Office technology and data-related funding priorities and program development, including personalized communication (CRM) systems, seamless learning platforms, unified data systems, and/or student engagement initiatives. The Student Experience Council will be managed by Associate Vice President of Student Services Torry Reynolds and State Director of Student Life Tiffany Skouby. The student experience council will conduct research and generate recommendations for the System Office and State Board.
A New Paradigm: Centering the Student Voice
System President Jeff Cox highlighted the significance of the contribution, stating, “Your family’s commitment of $100,000 is a transformative start to a new chapter for our System that places student voice at the front and center of the decisions we make. This fund is not an initiative, but the beginning of a paradigm shift on how our state engages with our community college students. This new, modern way of working will be student-centered, tech-forward, and driven by leaders who know that the customer experience is a new measure of success in higher education.”
Bannock Scott, President of the N4CSGA, spoke on behalf of the students, noting the need for a college experience that matches the smooth speed of the tools we use every day. “The most important aspect of this new fund is that it will establish a first-of-its kind Student Experience Council,” said Bannock Scott. “This Council will guarantee that our voices are at the table, making us part of the solution to modernize the system and shaping decisions that will directly impact our journey.”
A Call to Action for Growth
NC Community Colleges Foundation executive director Katie Loovis announced the ambitious long-term goal for the fund. “The Chairman’s gift is serving as the catalytic cornerstone. Our hope, together with the System Office, is to grow the student experience and innovation vision to a one million dollar endowment, ensuring that this new way of working goes on in perpetuity and establishing North Carolina as the national model for customer experience in higher education.” Those moved by this vision are encouraged to contact Loovis to discuss a contribution or donate online at www.ncccf.org.
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About the North Carolina Community College System
The North Carolina Community College System (NC Community Colleges or System) is the engine for workforce development in North Carolina and the only public entity dedicated to providing affordable college access to anyone in the state. The System is governed by the NC State Board of Community Colleges with administration from the NC Community College System Office, and support from the NC Community Colleges Foundation, and is powered by the 58 community colleges and their respective foundations. Together, the System serves 600,000 students and awards more than 60,000 degrees, diplomas, and certificates annually. For more information, visit https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/
For Inquiries, please reach out to: Katie Loovis, Executive Director, NC Community Colleges Foundation, Kloovis@ncccf.org, (919) 696-0781 (m).