I’ve been amazed by the rapid transition to warm weather these past few weeks! Early signs of spring have started to pop on all our campuses, subtle hints of color that greet our students heading to class. Spring is a season of emergence and promise, and a perfect time to “find yourself” on a pathway to a great future.

Our college transfer programs offer students a variety of pathways – options and opportunities for continuing their education that are almost endless. Students can earn an associate’s degree in a very cost-effective way while completing core coursework toward a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution.

We’ve cultivated partnerships with four-year colleges and universities across the state so that our graduates have an abundance of choices. Articulation agreements ensure a smooth transition, assuring Wake Tech students that their coursework will transfer.

Now’s a perfect time to start exploring those pathways. Let’s make this spring a season of new opportunities and new beginnings. Find yourself at Wake Tech!

Happy new year! As the spring 2017 semester begins, more than 21,000 students are taking classes in academic programs at Wake Tech and are well on their way to earning degrees – that’s another record! While enrollment at other community colleges is stagnant, ours continues to grow: Wake Tech serves the equivalent of 1 in 8 Wake County adults every year.

The residents of this growing region count on Wake Tech. They need education and workforce training that’s accessible, affordable, and designed to meet their needs. And we deliver! We offer programs at locations throughout Wake County – plus a virtual “campus” that’s growing so fast we now serve more online students than any community college in the state. We’re proud of that, and we’ve been proactive in making sure our online students have what they need to succeed!

Our goal is to help students become engaged and employed – skilled, highly-qualified graduates who are ready to hold their own in today’s workplace; connected to their neighbors and communities; and involved in shaping a better future for all.

Our challenge to students and prospective students is “find yourself,” and many tell us that at Wake Tech they’ve done just that. They’ve found their calling, their passion, and their unique pathway to a whole new future. A new year presents challenges and opportunities for all of us to refocus our sights and explore new roads. Here’s to a great 2017!

The holidays are a special time of year for each and every one of us – celebrating with family and friends, making memories to last a lifetime. That’s true here at Wake Tech as well, and the past year has been full of memorable moments. In 2016, we celebrated record enrollment, a record $3.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, the groundbreaking for our RTP Campus, and as always, the excitement of new graduates walking across the stage to receive degrees and diplomas.

2016 was indeed a great year at Wake Tech – but contentiousness across the nation at times left us with heavy hearts. We’re fortunate to be here, working collaboratively to provide our community with education that can and does change lives. As we go forward, let’s renew our focus on civility, kindness, and respect for each other – values that are central to our mission here at Wake Tech, and that make us truly strong. We all share responsibility for healing wounds and bridging chasms, in big ways whenever we can and in small ways every day.

Thank you for supporting Wake Tech’s mission. We look forward to a bright 2017 filled with new opportunities and causes for celebration. Happy holidays!