Durham Tech outlines enrollment gains, new Orange County campus and affordable housing project

Durham Technical Community College President JB Buxton told the Orange County Board of Commissioners on April 14 that the college met several 2021–2026 goals, including a 10% increase in student enrollment and a 3% rise in continuing‑education students.

Buxton said applied‑program graduates achieved an 80% employment rate with livable wages and that the college met a 60% completion and transfer rate for programs where state data were available. He and campus staff presented a picture of an affordable housing project the college is building in Durham and shared plans and concept images for an Orange County campus addition and renovation, which Susan Bowen, head of campus operations, said is planned to open in January 2027.

The presentation also covered workforce and K‑12 partnerships. Vice‑Chair Amy Fowler asked whether Durham Tech markets applied‑credential programs to local schools; Buxton said a college liaison works with every school and noted more outreach is needed in Orange County for applied credentials. Buxton said a program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) will begin this summer.

Commissioner Phyllis Portie‑Ascott asked whether the Durham affordable housing project has rental eligibility criteria. Buxton said rental eligibility is based on low‑income housing tax credit thresholds and that he did not have the specific thresholds at the meeting but would send them to the Board. On whether students will be required to live in the new units, Buxton said, “students will not be required to live in the housing units that Durham Tech is building,” but that the college would market to students and expects roughly 25% student occupancy.

Commissioners encouraged Durham Tech to expand practical financial‑literacy offerings; Portie‑Ascott asked for basic credit, budgeting and savings instruction aimed at people blocked from buying or renting because they lack credit knowledge. Chair Jean Hamilton described Durham Tech’s workforce and education programs as “core for the community” and supported adding courses that help residents prepare for work and household financial decisions.

The college asked the Board for feedback on areas to emphasize; commissioners expressed support for stronger outreach and partnerships with schools and local employers to market and scale applied credentials. The Board did not take formal action on the presentation; staff noted they will follow up on requested details, including rental‑eligibility thresholds for the affordable housing units and outreach plans for applied‑credential marketing.