Student Success
Wake Tech Named 2026 Leader College by Achieving the Dream
RALEIGH, NC (March 4, 2026) – Wake Tech is pleased to announce that it has been designated a 2026 Leader College by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing and economic mobility.
Leader Colleges are recognized for meaningful progress in expanding access; improving early momentum metrics, such as retention; advancing relevant student success strategies with evidence of implementation and early results; and growing institutional strength through culture and capacity-building efforts.
"Being named a 2026 Leader College by Achieving the Dream affirms Wake Tech's deep commitment to student success and economic mobility," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "Wake Tech is our community's most important engine to ensure all residents have an opportunity to be part of the vibrant local economy. This recognition reflects the collective work of our faculty and staff to embed data‑informed, student‑centered practices into our culture and to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed."
Wake Tech leaders were recognized for the honor Wednesday at the DREAM 2026 Champions of Change Celebration Luncheon in Portland, Ore.
Wake Tech's designation as a 2026 Leader College reflects years of intentional, collegewide leadership focused on student success and economic mobility. Guided by the college's Reach and Rally strategic plan and sustained through broad-based leadership and cross-divisional collaboration, student success at Wake Tech is not a single initiative but the foundation of the institution's culture. Wake Tech has aligned academic excellence, workforce development and student support strategies to improve engagement, retention and completion, while expanding partnerships and career pathways that support economic mobility across Wake County.
Wake Tech has expanded access by intentionally engaging and enrolling a greater share of students from low-economic-health zones across Wake County, strengthening the college's role as an engine of opportunity and economic mobility.
Through coordinated Care Teams of advisors, success coaches and career coaches, Wake Tech has rallied around students in holistic, proactive ways that have improved retention, reduced withdrawal rates and increased completion and transfer.
Faculty and staff have strengthened student learning through expanded professional development led by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and increased use of high‑impact practices, including undergraduate research through the START program. Revised academic policies have reduced course withdrawals, while success rates in college‑level English and math continue to trend upward, supported by effective co‑requisite models for developmental education.
Wake Tech has expanded partnerships with regional employers in biotechnology, information technology, health care and advanced manufacturing. These collaborations have fueled growth in apprenticeships, stackable credentials and enrollment in high‑demand programs, connecting students more directly to meaningful careers and economic mobility.
"The 2026 Leader Colleges demonstrate sustained commitment and measurable progress in advancing student success," said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and chief executive of Achieving the Dream. "By using data to guide decisions and continuously strengthen their practices, these institutions are producing real gains in student outcomes, strengthening their practices and deepening their impact in the communities they serve. Their leadership sets a powerful example for colleges across the ATD Network, reflecting the focus, discipline and follow-through required to achieve lasting institutional change."
Wake Tech has been part of the ATD Network since 2020.
