The NCCCLP develops community college leaders who connect, grow, and apply. Participants develop and enhance essential skills to support their current and future leadership roles in the North Carolina Community College System. The Leadership Program provides networking opportunities for participants to discover and apply best practices for current community college needs.

About

A six-month, cohort-based program that provides professional learning opportunities for mid-career community college professionals. Cohort leaders are identified and selected by their presidents as aspiring leaders. Annually, approximately 35 participants in each cohort attend five multi-day, in-person retreats filled with learning experiences, networking activities, and opportunities to discover and apply best practices aligned with pressing needs and issues facing North Carolina’s community colleges.

Our Evolution

The program began in 1989 when former governor and then-president of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), Bob Scott, requested a program to develop leadership skills for the state’s community college employees. Scott was also passionate about increasing the leadership skills of women and minorities who served in leadership roles across the state and requested the assistance of the American Association of Women in Junior and Community Colleges (NC Chapter) to help develop this ground-breaking program. Funding for this new program came from the state community college system. After just a few years, the program directors realized that it must become self-sustaining to survive.

The program curriculum was established by Dr. Pat Akers to enhance the leadership skills of employees at all levels of a college. And for over 30 years, Dr. Pat Akers and the leadership team evolved NCCCLP into a model leadership program by implementing new, innovative strategies that will propel the next generation of leaders.

In 2022 the Belk Center became the new home of the North Carolina Community College Leadership Program (NCCCLP) further bridging the Belk Center’s commitment to convening leaders, creating tools, and catalyzing change.

Outcomes

Program graduates are equipped with leadership skills to become exceptional leaders and navigate the educational arena as presidents, executive vice presidents, vice presidents, executive directors, directors, deans, and department chairs of community colleges across North Carolina and around the nation.

NCCCLP Leadership Team