MerleFest is one of the largest fundraising events for the college’s foundation, raising money for student scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs. The festival also has an annual economic impact of over $10 million in the region. ednc.org/bonnie-raitt-a…

“Too many schools across our state are overcrowded or need repairs, which often hinders students’ ability to learn and thrive,” said Governor Josh Stein. ednc.org/05-07-2025-sta…

As this year’s #TeacherAppreciationWeek comes to a close, we want to say one more heartfelt thank you to all the teachers across our state who help educate and nurture our students. Your work matters. (1/7)

“There is a huge need for people — not just here, but everywhere — to talk about the importance of public education, what it means for their communities, and what would happen if we did not have our schools,” one district leader said. ednc.org/rutherford-cou…

Grateful every day to work with and learn from such an impactful leader

“I would take every single child that I could if I had the space and the capacity,” Davina Boldin-Woods says. ednc.org/profiles-care-…

“There’s not one of the 100 counties that doesn’t have a church that has an empty educational wing sitting there,” says Todd Maberry, former managing director of the Ormond Center, of a project to save an evicted child care program. ednc.org/05-19-2025-wil…

Inspired by Kids on Campus, our analysis of child care on the campuses of NC's 58 community colleges is out! ACCT National Head Start Association North Carolina Community Colleges #nced ednc.org/edncs-analysis…

McMahon’s testimony comes as education leaders across the country raise concerns about cuts to federal mental health grants and delays in information to districts about federal funding. ednc.org/05-20-2025-ami…

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute is going to provide scholarships for many middle school students impacted by Helene. ednc.org/cccti-announce…

Among undergraduate enrollment nationally, community colleges saw the largest growth — a 5.4% increase. In North Carolina, spring enrollment at community colleges increased by 8.3%, or by nearly 16,000 students. ednc.org/05-27-2025-rep…

Child care, transportation, and housing are "the Holy Trinity of community development," says Daniel Davis, group vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. ednc.org/05-29-2025-rur…

Boost is a new program at the N.C. Community College System designed to increase completion rates and move students into high-wage, high-demand careers. Nicole Ditillo started as the founding director in May 2025. ednc.org/nicole-ditillo…

Whether in person, by phone, or by mail, many policymakers are more accessible than you might think. EdNC has compiled resources to help you know who your representatives are and how to contact them. ednc.org/make-your-voic…

More than six months after Hurricane Helene destroyed much of Swannanoa, resident Kathryn Locane says, “We don’t have a grocery store. We don’t have a bank or even an ATM...and we don’t have our post office. Those are all basic services.” ednc.org/youre-really-n…

"I'm on my way to a bigger, better future," said a graduate of A-B Tech's adult high school program. The college recognized over 100 students during a ceremony in June. ednc.org/eight-months-a…

Two leaders from Forsyth Tech have compiled lessons learned from leading through crisis, writing that “crisis leadership is both a test and a teacher.” ednc.org/perspective-pr…

EdNC's CEO looks at 10 issues shaping access to education, including school choice, funding for public schools and higher education, and the state of messaging and advocacy. ednc.org/ten-education-…

“We lost more than buildings that day. We lost familiar hallways, cherished classrooms, and anchors of learning, but in that loss, something powerful rose – resilience,” Peeler-Hampton VPA Principal Shannon Peeples said. “Our community came together.” ednc.org/08-25-2025-gui…

Federal SNAP payments lapsed for 1.4 million North Carolina residents on Saturday, Nov. 1 due to the federal government shutdown. Find resources here. ednc.org/11-03-2025-as-…