North Carolina Community College System Selected for National Credit for Prior Learning Policy Initiative

Two-year, grant-funded project will strengthen statewide policies that recognize workforce and military experience toward college credit

RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) has been selected to participate in a national, evidence-based community of practice focused on advancing public policy for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). The initiative is led by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) in partnership with RAND and will provide sustained technical assistance over a two-year period. 

Credit for Prior Learning allows colleges to award academic credit for college-level learning acquired outside a traditional classroom setting, including military service, industry credentials, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. 

North Carolina joins the community college systems of Alabama and Colorado in the highly competitive initiative. Together, the participating systems represent 95 institutions enrolling nearly 900,000 students nationwide. 

“This work directly supports North Carolina’s attainment and workforce goals,” said Seth Marc Kamen, State Director of Transfer, Learning Recognition and Credential Alignment at the System. “Through our partnership with CAEL and RAND, we are strengthening statewide Credit for Prior Learning so adult learners can translate their experience into credentials more efficiently, advancing economic mobility while helping the state meet its long-term education and talent attainment priorities.”  

Research consistently shows that CPL increases credential completion, reduces time to degree, and lowers costs for students, while strengthening alignment between education and workforce needs. 

Through this initiative, the North Carolina Community College System seeks to evaluate and modernize their statewide Credit for Prior Learning infrastructure. This work will prioritize support for adult and military-affiliated learners by aligning CPL across curriculum and continuing education programs, tying it to workforce needs, and improving systems, policies, and data analytics.  

“Awareness is growing about the profound impact CPL can have in postsecondary education, especially its critical role in workforce and talent development, so it’s no surprise that we received an overwhelming response to this opportunity,” said Earl Buford, CAEL president. “We look forward to partnering with RAND and our community of practice participants as well as to the framework that will emerge from this work as a blueprint any state or system can use to develop or improve CPL policies.”

A 2024 national study by CAEL and the American Council on Education identified more than 360 CPL-related policies across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. While many states have adopted foundational assessment policies, fewer than 30 percent include robust approaches to affordability, data tracking, or evaluation. The community of practice is designed to help participating systems address these gaps and establish models that can be scaled nationwide. 

Each participating system will receive a stipend and customized technical assistance throughout the two-year program. Funding for the initiative is provided by ECMC Foundation and Strada Education Foundation. CAEL subject matter experts will deliver tailored support based on each system’s stated priorities. 

RAND will serve as the research and evaluation partner, documenting progress across all participating systems and providing real-time, data-informed guidance. Insights from the project will inform the development of a refined national framework and rubric to support scalable, high-quality CPL policies in state systems across the country. 

This work is supported by the following cross-sector workgroup whose leadership and expertise helped position North Carolina for selection into the national community of practice. 

• Brett Brenton, North Central Regional Impact Manager, myFutureNC
• Michael Caviness, State Lead for Fire and Emergency Management, North Carolina Community College System
• Seth Marc Kamen, State Director of Transfer, Learning Recognition and Credential Alignment, North Carolina Community College System
• Michelle Lair, State Director of Student Success, North Carolina Community College System
• Tanya McGhee, Vice President, Academic Affairs, Pitt Community College 
• Chris R. Nesbitt, Associate Vice President, Applied Programs, Central Piedmont Community College
• Reneé Rogers, Dean, Learning Pathways, Forsyth Technical Community College
• Beth Stewart, Vice President, Instructional Services, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
• Bradley Wrenn, Program Manager for Military and Veteran Student Success, University of North Carolina System Office 

About the North Carolina Community College System 

The North Carolina Community College System is the state’s largest higher education network, serving approximately 600,000 students annually across 58 colleges. NCCCS plays a critical role in preparing North Carolina’s workforce, advancing economic development, and providing affordable access to education and training in every county of the state.   

About CAEL 

Recognizing that adult learners are the backbone of the U.S. economy, CAEL, a national nonprofit membership organization established in 1974, helps forge a clear, viable connection between education and career success, providing solutions that promote sustainable and equitable economic growth. CAEL opens doors to opportunity in collaboration with workforce and economic developers; postsecondary educators, employers and industry groups; and foundations and other mission-aligned organizations, engaging with these stakeholders to foster a culture of innovative, lifelong learning that helps individuals, and their communities thrive. Learn more at cael.org.