NC State Belk Center

“While federal datasets are the most important component of the data ecosystem on community college outcomes,” write Carrie B. Kisker from the Center for the Study of Community Colleges, the Belk Center's Audrey J. Jaeger and Sarah Deal, and Tom Brock with the Community College Research Center. “They are struggling to keep pace with the needs of researchers, educators and policymakers.” Data on America’s community colleges are rich but fragmented, and the gaps and blind spots constrain researchers’ abilities to measure the community college outcomes that matter. Read "What We Need to Measure to Understand Community College Outcomes" in the fall 2026 edition of Issues in Science and Technology, published by the National Academy of Sciences and Arizona State University. #NCStateBelk #InTheConversation #HigherEducation issues.org/community-college…

Attending @APPAM_DC today? Join @NCStateBelk Senior Associate Director of Research, Kaitlin Newhouse, Ph.D., from 1:45-3:15 p.m. (Berkeley Room) for a panel featuring three studies on reconnecting adult learners to community colleges. Kaitlin will present new research co-authored with @EmilyRVanZoest and @jaredking_24 on the specific barriers facing North Carolina's "Some College, No Credential" population and how colleges can better support their return. #BelkCenter #InTheConversation #HigherEd #2026APPAM

🎉Please join us in celebrating Jess Edwards, Ed.D.🎉 We are thrilled to announce that Jess has been promoted to Assistant Director of Research and Evaluation! In their time with the Belk Center, Jess has made significant contributions to advancing community college research across North Carolina. Their work - centered on improving student and leader retention through relational mentorship and community-based research - continues to drive meaningful impact. Please join us in congratulating Jess on this well-deserved milestone! 👏

The Belk Center is proud to serve as the research and evaluation partner for the North Carolina Dual Ascent Project!🎓 Made possible by the generous support of The Leon Levine Foundation, Dual Ascent advances a two-generation strategy to support student parents across North Carolina’s 58 community colleges through a statewide survey, a Parenting Student Advisory Board and a Community of Practice. 📖 Read the full story: belk-center.ced.ncsu.edu/202… #StudentParents #StudentSuccess #CommunityColleges #TLLF

Team members from the Belk Center are heading to San Juan, Puerto Rico, this week for the annual ASHE Conference! We’re excited to share two presentations highlighting our work in community college research and student support: From Silos to Scholarship: Advancing Data Access and Utilization through the Community College Data Hub Visiting Research Scholars Carrie Kisker and Emily VanZoest will join Erin Doran for a discussion on the Community College Data Hub during the Council for the Advancement of Higher Education Programs pre-conference. 📅 Tuesday, November 3 | 2:30–3:45 p.m. UTC 📍 Puerto Rico Convention Center, 1st Floor, Room 102AB Images of Support: A Photovoice Study of Adult Learners’ Support Systems Dion Harry, Jared King and Emily VanZoest will present a visual scholarship session exploring the support systems that shape adult learners’ educational journeys. 📅 Wednesday, November 4 | 10:30–11:30 a.m. UTC 📍 Puerto Rico Convention Center, 2nd Floor, Room 209C We look forward to being on the ground and in the conversation to advance community college research to practice. We hope to see you in San Juan! #ASHE2026 #CommunityColleges #HigherEducation #AdultLearners

A term vs. B term 8-week courses: Does timing impact student success?⏱️ In our latest brief, the Belk Center analyzed ~1.35 million course enrollments across North Carolina community colleges. The key takeaway? Students - especially post-high-school learners - are consistently more successful in A term than B term, suggesting that B term burnout may play an important role. Read the brief for evidence-based recommendations on advising, scheduling and student supports to keep learners on track. 📊Read the full research brief: belk-center.ced.ncsu.edu/wp-… #CommunityCollegeResearch #StudentSuccess #Great58

Ever wondered about the person behind the name of the Dallas Herring Lecture? W. Dallas Herring was a true champion for students. He believed that education should open doors for everyone, no matter where they started out. Herring is most well-known for saying, "We must take the people where they are and carry them as far as they can go." 🎥Get to know the man who helped shape community colleges in North Carolina and beyond: youtube.com/watch?v=_xU3VsbZ… And make sure to save your spot for this year’s lecture on Nov. 17 with Dr. Vicki Karolewics!🎟️ncsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/… #DHL2026 #DallasHerringLecture #LeadershipInAction #InTheConversation

The @NCCommColleges Boost Program aims to accelerate students’ credential attainment into high-demand, high-wage or high-value fields. In our latest brief, the Belk Center takes a closer look at first-year enrollment across the eight community colleges in Cohort 1. Early findings show colleges successfully recruited local students while meeting program guidelines – offering an insightful breakdown of student demographics and how early participation aligns with eligibility criteria. 📊Dive into the early findings and see how Cohort 1 is building momentum for student success across North Carolina: belk-center.ced.ncsu.edu/wp-… #CommunityCollegeResearch #NCBoost #StudentSuccess #NCStateBelk #HigherEdLeadership

Make this year’s Dallas Herring Lecture an event to remember – host a #DHL2026 Watch Party! 🎉 Gathering your colleagues in a classroom, conference room or shared space is a simple and impactful way to experience the lecture together. Ready to host your own team or campus community? Check out our Watch Party Guide for top tips on planning attendance, setting up pre-lecture networking with refreshments and sparking post-lecture conversations using our discussion prompts: docs.google.com/document/d/1… Register to host a #DHL2026 Watch Party today: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… #DallasHerringLecture #LeadershipInAction #InTheConversation

North Carolina #CommColleges demonstrate alignment of purpose and a shared commitment to serving their students and communities – yet they differ widely in how they define and measure progress toward their goals. An analysis of 1,300+ success measures drawn from the strategic plans of all 58 North Carolina community colleges reveals alignment in mission, but substantial variation in how colleges articulate their goals and track progress over time. In our latest brief, the Belk Center examines that variation and offers concrete ways to strengthen data-informed planning and improvement across community colleges in North Carolina and beyond. 📖Read the brief here: belk-center.ced.ncsu.edu/wp-… #CommunityCollegeResearch #StrategicPlanning #StudentSuccess #Great58

"I was a student who hadn't been in school for a long time, but no one made me feel that way. I was just a student who belonged there." Shout out to Natasha Adams Spencer, @NCStateBelk Research Associate, who was recently featured by @waketechcc to share her inspiring adult learner story. Natasha’s lived experience and dedication to student success drive her vital research every single day, and we couldn't be prouder to have her on our team! Read about her journey here: waketech.edu/post/success-st… #NCStateBelk #AdultLearners #CommunityCollegeLeadership

Just 1️⃣ month until the 2026 Dallas Herring Lecture! Join education leaders from across the country on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. ET for "The Value Agenda: A Systems Approach to Student Success," featuring Dr. Vicki Karolewics, president of Wallace State Community College. 🔗Don't wait - register for your virtual seat today! ncsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/… #DallasHerringLecture #DHL2026 #LeadershipInAction #InTheConversation

Closing out an incredible week at the @NCCommColleges Conference! 🎓 Join us for @NCStateBelk’s final session, as we dive into how compressed terms are boosting student momentum and course completion across North Carolina. Belk Center Deputy Director Monica Clark, Ed.D., will share critical insights bridging research and practice to help institutions effectively implement eight-week course schedules. Monica will be presenting alongside Emily Smail, Ph.D., Director of Research and Evaluation @NCCommColleges. 📌 Be Great in 8 (Week Terms): Research to Practice ⏰ Friday, Oct. 16 @ 9:30 a.m. 📍 Room 204 #Great58 #NCCommunityColleges #HigherEd #TeachingAndLearning #InTheConversation

Strengthening institutional culture and student connection starts with intentional course design, collaboration and professional development. Join the North Carolina Teaching and Learning Hubs Co-Directors this Friday at the @NCCommColleges Conference for an engaging presentation that will explore practical strategies to foster deeper community and support faculty and student success across North Carolina. 📌 Building Community in Community Colleges through Course Design, Collaboration and Intentional Professional Development ⏰ Friday, Oct. 16 @ 8 a.m. 📍 Room 304 #Great58 #NCCommunityColleges #HigherEd #TeachingAndLearning #InTheConversation

How does transfer impact workforce alignment and career pathways for community college students? 📊 Join @NCStateBelk Senior Associate Director of Research @holleybnichols, this Thursday at the @NCCommColleges Conference for an insightful, data-driven presentation. Holley will present alongside Jenn Gardner Selby (@RCCCedu) and Carmen Serrata, Mark D'Amico and Sandra Dika from @unccharlotte. 📌 Workforce and Career Implications of Transfer: Lessons from the Data ⏰ Thursday, Oct 15 @ 2 p.m. 📍 Room 203 The presentation will share key findings from the data to explore how transfer pathways shape workforce outcomes and career opportunities for students across North Carolina. #Great58 #NCCommunityColleges #HigherEd #OnTheGround #InTheConversation

Join the @NCStateBelk team, alongside @CarteretCC College President Dr. Tracy Mancini, at the @NCCommColleges Conference this Thursday! 📌 Integrating Stakeholder Input in Strategic Planning ⏰ Thursday, Oct. 15 @ 11:15 a.m. 📍 Room 305B 👥 Panelists: AJ Jaeger, Ph.D., Daniel West, Ph.D., Jess Edwards, Ed.D., Zach Barricklow, Ed.D & Tracy Mancini, Ed.D. Discover how colleges are leveraging PACE Survey data and stakeholder feedback to shape strategic planning, strengthen campus climate and drive institutional success across the Great 58. #Great58 #NCCommunityColleges #HigherEd #OnTheGround #InTheConversation

The Belk Center team is excited to connect with leaders, faculty and staff from across North Carolina's 'Great 58' community colleges at the 2026 @NCCommColleges Conference this week! 📍 Where to find us: 🔹 Raleigh Convention Center Exhibitor Hall: Stop by the @NCStateBelk, @NCStateCED and the PACE Climate Survey booths to say hello and chat with our team! 🔹 Sessions: Catch our team members presenting in panels and sessions on Thursday and Friday. We can't wait to learn, collaborate and celebrate the incredible work happening across North Carolina's community college system. See you there! ncccs.lifelonglearning.ncsu.… #Great58 #NCCommunityColleges #HigherEd #OnTheGround #InTheConversation

How can workforce development boards leverage partnerships to better understand outcomes of workforce programs within their regions? Join Belk Center Senior Associate Director of Research Kaitlin Newhouse, Ph.D., this Thursday, Oct 15 at 2:30 p.m. for a panel session at the NCWorks Partnership Conference, titled "Leveraging Research Partnerships in Workforce Development." Attendees will gain practical strategies on forming local research relationships, identifying key data sources, and using evidence to strengthen advocacy and secure external funding. #OnTheGround #InTheConversation

📍 2 weeks. 5 campuses. 1 mission. Over the last two weeks, members of our Belk Center adult learner team hit the road to visit all five NC Reconnect Cohort 6 colleges: 🔹Alamance Community College 🔹Western Piedmont Community College 🔹Cleveland Community College 🔹Sandhills Community College 🔹Roanoke-Chowan Community College We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with faculty and staff who are deeply committed to serving adult learners. From thoughtful planning to warm welcomes, thank you for hosting us and for the incredible work you do every day to champion adult learners. Most of all, hearing directly from adult learners on each campus was inspiring – their resilience, drive and stories remind us why this work matters so much.🌟 #OnTheGround #InTheConversation #AdultLearners #NCReconnect