Wayne Community College reports enrollment gains, new partnerships as county proclaims April Community College Month

Wayne Community College President Patty Pfeiffer updated the Wayne County Board of Commissioners on campus developments and asked the board to adopt a Community College Month proclamation, which the board approved.

Pfeiffer said fall curriculum enrollment rose more than 5%, spring enrollment was up roughly 3.5% and short-term workforce continuing-education enrollments were healthy. She highlighted a registered-apprenticeship placement for a high-school student who received state recognition, new institutional agreements including a guaranteed-admissions arrangement with Campbell University, shared programing arrangements (artificial-intelligence coursework) with other community colleges, and a renewed funeral-services partnership with Fayetteville Technical Community College.

Pfeiffer described a recent ribboning of the new Center for Industrial Technology and Engineering (classes began in January) and other campus projects: an agricultural building design phase, a truck-driving pad, an allied-health classroom expansion intended to increase annual nursing program admissions from 58 toward 78 students, and renovation projects. She also said the college is awaiting a site visit in October 2025 for SACS reaffirmation and expects preliminary status in December 2025.

Pfeiffer noted that Wayne Community College’s communications office earned a Paragon award and that the college received a $25,000 Duke Energy donation to support applied-technology workforce initiatives. The commission adopted the Community College Month proclamation and will sign the document for college use.

Pfeiffer and commissioners also discussed graduation dates and an upcoming ribbon-cutting when signage is in place.