At Halifax Community College, we often say that education is the foundation on which strong communities are built.
Every day, I am reminded that our college is not only a place where learning happens. It is also where opportunity is created, partnerships grow, and lives change through workforce readiness and academic achievement. As we continue into a new year, I am proud to share several recent highlights that reflect the momentum, dedication, and community support that drive Halifax Community College forward.
First, we proudly congratulate our Information Technology Instructor and IT Program Chair, Emily Worley, M.I.S., on successfully completing Stanly Community College’s NET-31008-2025 course and the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) training. Earning both the certificate and digital badge, this achievement represents 70 hours of intensive training and reflects a continued commitment to professional growth and ensuring our IT students receive instruction aligned with current industry standards. Worley’s dedication is a wonderful example of the excellence our faculty bring to the classroom, continuously strengthening their expertise so that our students receive relevant, high-quality instruction.
I also want to recognize an exciting milestone for our students and for the region. On Jan. 5, NC State University and Halifax Community College celebrated Signing Day, marking a strengthened partnership and a shared commitment to expanding student pathways, deepening collaboration, and creating more opportunities for academic success. Collaborations like this help students confidently move forward, whether they are beginning their academic journey with us, returning to school as an adult learner, or preparing to transfer and complete a four-year degree. When institutions work together, our students win, and so does our community.
Finally, I want to highlight an incredible investment in student engagement and hands-on STEM learning happening right here in Halifax County. STEM East, an initiative of NC East Alliance, proudly awarded Leo Malonzo of Halifax County Early College the STEM East Smart Manufacturing Student Engagement Grant. This $2,500 award will support the early college’s FIRST North Carolina Robotics team through competition travel, equipment, and software, expanding hands-on robotics opportunities and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. Incorporated in 2012, FIRST North Carolina is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing a high-quality FIRST Robotics Competition experience to every high-school student in North Carolina. We celebrate Malonzo’s leadership and the opportunities this grant will create for students to explore innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork in real-world ways.
These moments, faculty achievement, university collaboration, and student support, are more than announcements. They reflect what is possible when a community believes in education. Halifax Community College remains committed to preparing students for meaningful careers, providing accessible academic pathways, and partnering with organizations that strengthen our local workforce.
To our community, thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and belief in what our students and educators can accomplish. Together, we are building a stronger workforce, a brighter future, and a community where opportunity is within reach for all.
Please join me in celebrating these outstanding milestones and in continuing to lift up education as a shared investment in our region.
