Around WakeTech
College Welcomes Historic Fall Enrollment
RALEIGH, N.C. (August 14, 2023) – Wake Tech began a new academic year with the largest Fall enrollment in college history. The college welcomed more than 24,000 degree-seeking students Monday for the first day of the Fall semester. More than 7,700 of those students are new to Wake Tech, including approximately 3,700 students participating in Wake Tech's Career & College Promise program (CCP). CCP offers eligible high school students the opportunity to earn credits toward a college degree or a credential for employment – tuition-free.
Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls greeted students with donuts as they headed to class. He also surprised a handful of students with $250 scholarships from the Wake Tech Foundation to help pay for books for the Spring 2024 semester. The college is offering free books this semester as part of a new textbook savings program called Eagle Advantage.
Ralls calls these scholarships "golden tickets," and he hands them out with chocolate bars made from scratch by students in the Baking & Pastry Arts program.
Benjamin Kipchumba was delighted to receive a golden ticket. Kipchumba, a student from Kenya, says the scholarship is a blessing.
"These funds will enable me to focus on my studies and worry less about my finances. Thank you, Dr. Ralls!"
"Wake Tech is one of the most accessible educational opportunities you can find," said Ralls. "We want students to achieve their dreams – everyone is welcome here."
Staff and faculty were also on hand to welcome students, answer questions and help them navigate buildings and find classrooms. Wake Tech has planned several welcome back events for students during the first week of classes, including resource fairs, food truck rodeos and appearances by the college's mascot, Talon.
The college is excited to launch new diploma and certificate programs this fall to help boost the supply of talented workers in our region.
Certificates:
Electronics Engineering Technology: Advanced PLC Programming
Geomatics Technology: UAS / Drone Technology
Kitchen and Bath Interior Design
Mechanical Engineering Technology: Mechatronics (SMSCP)
Welding Technology: Pipe and Plate
Welding Technology: Advanced Welding
Paralegal Technology - CCP
Diploma:
Paralegal Technology - Post-Baccalaureate
There are several updates at Wake Tech campuses:
- The Eastern Wake 4.0 site in Wendell is taking shape. Construction of the Advanced Technology 4.0 Center will start this fall. The Public Safety Simulation Complex is on track for a spring opening. It features an indoor simulated streetscape and outdoor driving track and will be one of the most advanced public safety training facilities in the nation. The Eastern Student Center will be the hub for campus operations, student services and academic classes and will be the home of Wake Tech's Associate in Engineering program when it opens in 2024. The Renewable Energy Training Center is complete. This facility integrates the advanced controls and infrastructure of a regional energy plant with a dedicated lab to serve as a training site for students in geothermal, solar and other renewal energy systems.
- The college is opening a Care Center at the Scott Northern Wake Campus for students, with wraparound support to help them stay on track and achieve educational and career goals. Services include student success coaches, emergency aid, wellness services, The Nest food pantry and technology and transportation assistance. Care Centers are also located at Southern Wake, Perry Health Sciences and RTP campuses.
- Training for Amazon apprentices in Wake Tech's Robotics & Mechatronics lab at the Beltline Education Center is booming. The program, which began in 2021, has served more than 335 Amazon apprentices, providing 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. Apprentices travel to Wake Tech from across the U.S. to attend the training program, which lasts 12 weeks. Wake Tech is one of only five training centers in the country to provide this instruction.
There is also a traffic alert near the Southern Wake Campus. Beginning August 21, Donny Brook Road will be closed from Ransdell Road to U.S. Highway 401 for culvert work. Wake Tech employees and students who drive this route will need to alter their travel and use Lake Wheeler Road north to Ten-Ten Road and U.S. 401 South or Lake Wheeler Road south to U.S. 401 North to enter the college. The road is expected to be closed for about 90 days.
Wake Tech is North Carolina's largest community college, serving about 63,000 adults annually, with six campuses – a seventh is under construction – two training centers, multiple community sites and a comprehensive array of online learning options.
