Propel NC

Propel NC is a transformative business model proposed by the North Carolina Community College System to strengthen alignment between educational programs and North Carolina’s evolving labor market. This model incentivizes colleges to offer high-demand, high-wage programs and creates pathways to economic mobility for students across the state. 

🔍 What is Propel NC? 

Propel NC is a labor-market-driven approach to funding that emphasizes: 

• Investment in high-demand sectors like Healthcare, Engineering, Manufacturing, Public Safety, IT, and Trades 
• Streamlined, student-centered processes 
• Data-driven decision making 
• Cross-divisional collaboration 
• Enhanced professional development and employer engagement 

📘 Key College Resources 

• Propel NC Implementation Guide - v1 - May 2025
  This is a document meant to help guide colleges’ senior leaders. It outlines implementation support, critical conversations, workforce sector mapping, and system-wide expectations, especially regarding the initial steps to take to support economic mobility and to create transformational generational change aligned with the NCCCS vision.
• Labor Market Reports
  Visual tools to support sector alignment and regional planning. 
• CTE Earnings by Prosperity Zone 
  Median quarterly wage data for community college exiters by region. 
• NCCCS Budget Policies  
  Current and proposed FTE values aligned with workforce sectors. 

📰 News & Updates 

• EdNC: An update on NC Community College System's new funding model - EdNC
• EdNC: How Propel NC would impact one N.C. community college - EdNC
• Triangle Business Journal: NC community colleges push sweeping changes to funding model
• NCCCS:  5 Things You Need to Know About Propel NC
• NCCCS: ‘Game-Changer’: State Board approves Propel NC business model to align funding with workforce sectors

📜 Relevant Policy & Guidance 

Propel NC is grounded in strategic alignment with: 

• NCWorkforce Credentials 
  Defines a framework of Foundation, Essential, Career, and Advance credentials that align with high-demand, high-wage occupations in North Carolina. Serves as a guide for colleges, employers, and policymakers to prioritize workforce-aligned education and track credential attainment that leads to family-sustaining employment. 

📬 Contacts 

For general inquiries or college support related to Propel NC, contact: 

Programs & Student Services 

• Dr. Brian S. Merritt – SVP, Programs & Student Services & Chief Academic Officer 
  merrittb@nccommunitycolleges.edu 

• Dr. Lisa Eads – AVP, Programs 
  eadsl@nccommunitycolleges.edu 

• Dr. Andrew Gardner – AVP, Workforce Strategies 
  gardnera@nccommunitycolleges.edu 

• Dr. Torry Reynolds – AVP, Student Services 
  reynoldst@nccommunitycolleges.edu 

• Dr. Rob Van Dyke – AVP, Federal Programs
  thompsons@nccommunitycolleges.edu 

System Effectiveness & Data 

• Dr. Bill Schneider – VP, System Effectiveness 
  schneiderb@nccommunitycolleges.edu 

NC Student Success Center 

• Dr. Andrea Crowley – Executive Director 
  crowleya@nccommunitycolleges.edu