2026 Awards: NC Community Colleges Recognize the People and Partnerships Building North Carolina’s Workforce
Published: April 20, 2026
Honorees celebrated at annual awards dinner representing excellence in student achievement, teaching, and employer partnership
RALEIGH, N.C. — When Cheri Landreth enrolled at Surry Community College after a career-ending accident in 2019, she wasn’t sure what her future would hold. Five years later, she stood before more than 300 guests at The Angus Barn Pavilion in Raleigh to accept the Dallas Herring Achievement Award — the NC Community College System’s highest recognition for student excellence.
“There was a time in my life when I didn’t know what my future would look like,” Landreth said. “Community college gave me that chance. It met me where I was and changed everything for me.”
Her story was one of nine honored Wednesday evening at the NC Community Colleges Awards Dinner and Celebration, co-hosted by the NC Community College System, the State Board of Community Colleges, and the NC Community Colleges Foundation. The event, presented by Duke Energy and emceed by WRAL Anchor/Reporter Dan Haggerty, recognized outstanding students, educators, employers, and leaders from across the state’s 58 colleges.
“This is not just a dinner — it’s a true celebration of what this System does every day,” said State Board Chair Tom Looney. “The presidents leading their colleges with vision. The System Office team that supports and enables those colleges. The faculty and staff guiding students through challenges. The business and government partners who believe in this work. Together, they are delivering more skilled workers, more opportunities for families, and a stronger economy across North Carolina. Now that is worth celebrating.”
Signature Awards
Named for two North Carolina community college pioneers, the Signature Awards recognize transformational impact at both the individual and institutional level.
The Dallas Herring Achievement Award, named for the architect of the state’s “open-door” philosophy, was presented to Landreth of Surry Community College. In addition to her academic comeback, she served as Phi Theta Kappa president and led major community memorial initiatives.
The I.E. Ready Lifetime Achievement Award — named for the System’s first president — was presented to Rick Hendrick, Chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and founder of Hendrick Motorsports, for his decades of investment in automotive training facilities and apprenticeship pipelines across North Carolina. The award was accepted on his behalf by Pat Colgan, Director of Fixed Operations at Hendrick Automotive Group.
“This award reflects a belief in investing in people, creating opportunities, giving back to communities, and striving every day to be better than the day before,” Colgan said.
Faculty and Staff Awards
Three educators and staff members were recognized for lasting contributions to their colleges and students.
The Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Tonya Stephens, instructor at Blue Ridge Community College, for pioneering cybersecurity and artificial intelligence pathways.
“There’s a moment when something clicks, and you can see it,” Stephens said. “Confidence replaces doubt, and suddenly, what once felt impossible feels within reach. That’s what makes this work so meaningful.”
The Staff Person of the Year Award was presented to Heather Pack, ADA Coordinator and Counselor at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, for her transformative work in student mental health and disability services.
The President of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Janet Spriggs, President of Forsyth Technical Community College, whose roots in the NC community college system run as deep as her personal story.
“The red clay dirt on my family’s tobacco farm in Milton is where my roots grew,” Spriggs said. “My love of learning, and two community colleges gave me my wings. Leading Forsyth Tech is full-circle and deeply personal.”
Workforce Development Pinnacle Awards
The evening’s Pinnacle Awards recognized employers whose partnerships with community colleges are actively building North Carolina’s workforce pipeline. Representatives from the Siemens Foundation and Wells Fargo presented the following awards:
- Apprenticeship Champion: Caterpillar, Inc. with Central Carolina Community College
- Innovative Leadership Award: Okuma America Corporation with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
- Business of the Year (Fewer than 500 Employees): Aegis Power Systems, Inc. with Tri-County Community College
- Business of the Year (More than 500 Employees): Pratt & Whitney with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Kevin McLaughlin, VP of Government and External Relations at presenting sponsor Duke Energy, framed what these partnerships represent at scale.
“North Carolina continues to be one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and that’s why this partnership is critical — for us, for the community colleges, and for the state,” McLaughlin said. “That talent pipeline doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through intentional collaboration and careful investment.”
Inaugural Pathways to Employment Leadership Award
In a first-of-its-kind recognition, the Pathways to Employment Leadership Award was presented to Senator Michael Lee, Lisa Estep, and Nancye Gaj for their work on the Access to Achievement program, which creates career pathways for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“I hope this program shows there is a place for you in our community colleges. There is a place for you in our workforce,” Estep said. “Access to Achievement will be a connecting bridge.”
A Statewide Showcase
The evening also featured student showcases from seven colleges representing programs in aquaculture, jazz performance, professional craft, environmental learning, electric vehicles, and automotive excellence — a cross-section of the workforce-ready training happening in communities across North Carolina.
“These aren’t just recognitions,” said System President Dr. Jeff Cox. “They’re a reminder of what this entire enterprise is built on.”
The program also featured live student performances and displays from Carteret Community College’s Aquaculture Program, Fayetteville Tech Community College’s Jazz Ensemble, Haywood Community College’s Professional Craft Program, Johnston Community College’s Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center, Southwestern Community College’s Electric Vehicle Program, Wake Tech Community College’s Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence, and the NC Community Colleges Access to Achievement Program.
Watch the playlist of award winner videos on YouTube and view full photo gallery here.
The event was made possible by presenting sponsor Duke Energy; Trailblazer Sponsors: Kane Realty Corporation, NC Rural Center, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Novo Nordisk, Lenovo, John M. Belk Endowment, Mid-Atlantic Mechanical Contractors Association, and DPR Construction; Navigator Sponsors: ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., AT&T, Parker Poe, NC Electric Cooperatives, First Citizens Wealth, SE&M Constructors, Inc., and Honestly; Builder Sponsors: ECS Southeast LLC, Caterpillar Inc., Performance Contracting Inc., Mechanical Trades Carolina, Wayne J. Griffin Electric Inc., IBM, State Employees Credit Union, CCS Fundraising, MyFutureNC, SPC Mechanical, and CALCO Properties, LLC; and Friend Sponsors: EdNC, Pinnacle Bank, Martin Marietta, Bojangles, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, PNC Bank, Siemens Mobility, and Identify Yourself.
##########################
About the North Carolina Community College System
The North Carolina Community College 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.
About the State Board of Community Colleges
The State Board of Community Colleges is the policy-making arm of the NC Community College System. The Board consists of 22 members, who have either been assigned by the Governor, the State House or the State Senate. The Lieutenant Governor, State Treasurer, Labor Commissioner, and President of N4CSGA (Student Government Association) also serve on the board.
About NC Community Colleges Foundation
The NC Community Colleges Foundation (Foundation) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded in 1986 to support the NC Community College System. The Foundation is governed by a diverse board of directors who, together with staff members, raise awareness and funds to advance the System’s mission, manage several scholarship and award programs that honor excellence, and support public-private partnership programs that foster innovation.
MEDIA CONTACT
Nathan Hardin
hardinn@nccommunitycolleges.edu
919.807.6994