Aspiring Leaders Summit at Beaufort CCC Empowers the Next Generation of Community College Leaders

Beaufort County Community College (Beaufort CCC) hosted the Aspiring Leaders Summit, an event developed in collaboration with the UNC Wilmington’s 3C Collaborative, which seeks to strengthen the pipeline of future community college leaders across North Carolina. The summit invites aspiring and current community college professionals to come together for two days of learning, networking, and professional development.

The event is part of the larger 3C Collaborative, a strategic partnership between UNC Wilmington and regional community colleges to provide comprehensive leadership training, enhancing professional skills, and preparing the next generation of leaders in the higher education sector. By leveraging the expertise of the Watson College of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership, the summit aims to address critical topics in leadership, management, and institutional challenges specific to community colleges.

Participants engaged in workshops focused on community college leadership, institutional policy, budgeting, and organizational management. They learned more about staff to administration transition, utilizing data, conflict resolution, and mental wellness.These sessions were by seasoned professionals and educational leaders with extensive experience in the field.

Attendees had the chance to connect with peers and mentors, creating valuable relationships that could help them navigate their community college careers. They heard panels that discussed the evolving landscape of higher education, challenges in enrollment, accreditation, and strategies for building student success.

Participants learned more about staff to administration transition, utilizing data, conflict resolution, and mental wellness.

According to Misty Jones, lead instructor for mathematics at Beaufort CCC, "This summit was a unique opportunity for both current and future leaders in community colleges to gain wisdom, share best practices, and develop leadership strategies that can make a tangible difference in the lives of students."

With North Carolina's community colleges playing a critical role in educational access, workforce development, and local economies, the need for visionary leadership has never been more vital. The Aspiring Leaders Summit at Beaufort CCC cultivates leaders who are not only capable of navigating the complexities of their institutions but also dedicated to fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments for students from diverse backgrounds.

The 3C Collaborative will also hold another Aspiring Leaders Summit at Gaston Community College on October 24-25 and at Piedmont Community College on March 27-28.