Blog - Public Ed Works

April 20, 2022 by Higher Ed Works Leave a Comment

RALEIGH (April 20, 2022) – North Carolina has longed for an auto plant for decades. Now, with Vietnamese electric automaker VinFast’s announced investment of more than $4 billion in a plant in Chatham County,1 coupled with Toyota’s announcement in December of a $1.3 billion battery plant in Randolph County,2 North Carolina is on a battery-powered… READ MORE

April 14, 2022 by Higher Ed Works 1 Comment

WILKESBORO (April 14, 2022) – It all started with the campus gardens. And oh, how it’s blossomed. What started in 1988 as a one-time fundraiser for campus landscaping at Wilkes Community College has grown into an annual, four-day event with 12 stages that feature bluegrass, country, gospel, zydeco, fusion music and everything in between, fueling… READ MORE

April 14, 2022 by Higher Ed Works Leave a Comment

WILKESBORO (April 14, 2022) – Community colleges benefit their communities in all sorts of ways. But for the past 34 years, MerleFest has benefited Wilkes County and surrounding communities in a way that’s unique to the people and music of the North Carolina foothills. “MerleFest is a great example of what the community colleges in… READ MORE

April 7, 2022 by Higher Ed Works 1 Comment

CULLOWHEE (April 7, 2022) – We’re all feeling the bite of inflation.1 Our universities are, too. And despite a state budget that granted 5% raises over two years to university employees last fall, the board that governs the 17-campus UNC System this week began discussing the need for more raises and operating funds – including… READ MORE

April 7, 2022 by Higher Ed Works Leave a Comment

CHAPEL HILL (April 7, 2022) – A certain two-time graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill says it’s time to take another look at how the University is governed. “This hallowed place was built and nurtured for decades by public servants who knew great universities make great states,” Gov. Roy Cooper said March 23 as one of six… READ MORE

March 30, 2022 by Higher Ed Works Leave a Comment

RALEIGH (March 30, 2022) – It’s shameful. North Carolina’s community colleges are a linchpin of economic development and social mobility in our state. Yet what we pay instructors at those colleges is shameful. From a national perspective, North Carolina’s community college instructors rank even lower than our K-12 public school teachers. “The North Carolina Community… READ MORE

March 25, 2022 by Higher Ed Works 1 Comment

(CHAPEL HILL) March 25, 2022 – The rest of the media didn’t seem to notice, but the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was recently ranked the top public university in the South by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings.1 The rankings also listed Carolina as third among all public universities and… READ MORE

March 25, 2022 by Higher Ed Works Leave a Comment

WINSTON-SALEM (March 25, 2022) – Linda Garrou was one of the boys. But then again, she wasn’t. Garrou, who died suddenly last week at 79,1 was first and foremost an advocate for children. “A woman who lived for others,” her obituary proclaimed.2 “We pray for children,” said the prayer on the program for her memorial… READ MORE

March 25, 2022 by Higher Ed Works Leave a Comment

RALEIGH – In this beautiful short film, Debra Rezeli, Higher Ed Works’ Engagement Director, and her husband Jeff hike, paddle and bike the 1,175-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail across North Carolina. “Hiking the trail makes me feel part of nature – it gives me more purpose,” Debra says. They emphasize how the trail leads through North Carolina’s… READ MORE

March 23, 2022 by Higher Ed Works Leave a Comment

RALEIGH (March 23, 2022) – NC State University Chancellor Randy Woodson knows the importance of community colleges – the state’s 58 colleges send NC State about 1,000 students a year. “Community colleges across the state have become a critical pathway to NC State, and I know that’s true for many other universities in the UNC… READ MORE