Elevating Excellence in Instruction: First cohort graduates from inaugural Master Instructor Certification Program with NC Community Colleges

Twenty-three instructors from 16 community colleges across the state completed the North Carolina Community College Master Instructor (NC3MI) Certification Program last month – highlighting the System’s commitment to elevating the quality of education through active learning and alignment with workforce employability skills.  

NC3MI is a transformative journey designed to recognize and enhance the talents of distinguished faculty across North Carolina community colleges. The program launched in January 2024 with faculty members ranging in programs from nursing to fine arts. This diversity ensured a rich exchange of ideas and best practices to benefit the broader educational community. 

“The North Carolina Community College System is uniquely positioned to combine field expertise with exceptional teaching abilities. The NC3MI program exemplifies our commitment to elevating excellent teachers and ensuring they are equipped to meet students where they are,” said Dr. Lane Freeman, Director of Online Learning for the System. “This initiative underscores our dedication to fostering a robust and adaptable workforce, making us the best in the business at transforming students into the future leaders of North Carolina’s economy.” 

Participants were nominated by the Chief Academic Officers at their respective colleges and selected by an NC Community College System Office Task Force. The curriculum included modules on relational capacity, student motivation, metacognition, critical thinking, and career readiness. 
 
The program emphasized three key performance areas: Professional Development, Student Learning, and Collaborative Leadership. Faculty members developed portfolios demonstrating their mastery in these areas, reflecting on their teaching practices and documenting evidence of student success.   

“Being part of the first cohort of faculty to take the NC3MI was an honor. I had the opportunity to showcase the kind of teaching that I have been doing in the classroom over my 28-year career,” said Dr. Elizabeth Braun, Department Chair of Rhetoric and Composition at Catawba Valley Community College. “Not only did I get feedback from my colleagues, but all of our ideas coming together created an incredible database of specific examples of research-based pedagogy in practice. Most importantly, for me, was the chance to be a student again. Each time I am in that role it is a profound reminder of the many seen and unseen challenges my students have, and it helps me be a better teacher.”

NC3MI underscores the System’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and student success. Graduates are now equipped with enhanced skills and strategies that will positively influence their students and colleagues – creating a ripple effect of quality education throughout the state. 

The rigorous program concluded with a capstone event on May 21 in Asheboro, NC, where participants presented their achievements and participated in a panel discussion.  
 
Graduates of the inaugural cohort are recognized below: 

Name	College Name	Discipline
Mr. Nicholas Goble	Alamance CC	Advertising & Graphic Design
Ms. Tonya Stephens	Blue Ridge CC	Business
Dr. Elizabeth Braun	Catawba Valley CC	English/Rhetoric and Composition
Ms. Katy Geymont	Catawba Valley CC	Nursing
Mrs. Nichole Wells	Catawba Valley CC	Nursing
Mrs. McKinsey Poarch	Catawba Valley CC	Nursing
Dr. Kristen Smith	Catawba Valley CC	Science
Dr. Maryann Aucompaugh	Central Carolina CC	Business Technologies
Ms. Crystal Way	Central Carolina CC	Nursing
Mrs. Peggy Drum	Central Piedmont CC	Nursing and Health Professions
Dr. Joshua Howell	College of the Albemarle	English and Communications
Mrs. Jessica Buckley-Williams	College of the Albemarle	Business, Computer, IT Systems
Dr. Grant Jolliff	Davidson Davie CC	English
Mrs. Carole Mehle-Bittner	Edgecombe CC	English and Humanities
Dr. Kristin Redfield	Forsyth Technical CC	English
Mr. Edward Pardue	Gaston College	Arts and Sciences
Ms. Tiffany Cooper	Isothermal CC	Applied Technologies
Dr. Rochelle Mabry	Martin CC	English and Humanities
Mrs. Angela Eaker	Southeastern CC	College and Career Readiness
Mr. Joshua Brosius	Stanly CC	Advanced Manufacturing, CIM
Mrs. Bobbi Stevens	Wayne CC	Business & Accounting
Ms. Meret Burke	Wilkes CC	Arts and Sciences/English
Ms. Valerie Bailey	Wilkes CC	Nursing Health Sciences

For more information about NC3MI and the impact of this inaugural cohort, please contact Dr. Lane Freeman.