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The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), State Board of Community Colleges, and the North Carolina Community College Foundation recently announced nine statewide winners of the system’s 2025 excellence awards.

The annual awards recognize community college excellence among students, staff, faculty, presidents, and workforce development partners.

“These award winners represent the heart of what makes North Carolina’s community colleges so impactful,” NCCCS President Dr. Jeff Cox said in a press release.

Award winners will be honored during the system’s awards dinner and celebration on April 3. Below, you can find a look at the 2025 winners.

Spirit awards

Dallas Herring Student Achievement Award: This award is presented to a student who best embodies Herring’s philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go.”

Kyle Harris, a student in Vance-Granville Community College’s Automotive Systems Technology program, is the recipient of this year’s award. Harris is a military veteran who has faced “PTSD, addiction, homelessness, and incarceration after his service,” the release says.

After receiving support from the Veteran’s Life Center, Harris was able to enroll in Vance-Granville. Harris excelled in his studies and secured a job that allowed him to rebuild his life.

Now, Harris supports fellow veterans and encourages them to pursue education and employment.

I.E. Ready Lifetime Achievement Award: This award honors those who have made significant statewide contributions to the NCCCS. Recipients are those who demonstrate leadership and commitment to the system’s development and impact.

This year’s I.E. Ready Lifetime Achievement Award winner is Dr. Dale McInnis, president emeritus of Richmond Community College.

McInnis’ 32-year career has included workforce education funding reform and strategic partnerships that have “shaped the future of community colleges across the state,” according to the awards’ announcement. McInnis was also instrumental in building the Propel NC funding model.

Faculty and staff awards

Excellence in Teaching Award: This award is presented to an outstanding faculty member who exemplifies the highest quality of instruction and makes significant contributions to the NCCCS.

This year’s award recipient is Dr. Lisa Smelser, newly appointed executive director of workforce strategic initiatives at Central Carolina Community College. Smelser is recognized for her dedication to student success and workforce development in biotechnology.

Her leadership “extends beyond the classroom, securing grants and partnerships that expand access to life sciences careers, particularly for underserved populations,” according to the press release.

Staff Person of the Year Award: This award recognizes non-teaching staff members who exemplify exceptional performance and dedication to the community college mission.

Denise Young, director of apprenticeships at Southeastern Community College, is this year’s award winner. Southeastern saw a 53% increase in work-based learning enrollments under Young’s leadership.

Southeastern’s President Dr. Chris English said Young knows how to bring people together and takes time to learn and understand people.

President of the Year Award: President of Haywood Community College Dr. Shelley White is this year’s award recipient.

The award recognizes exceptional leadership and achievements of a community college president who has significantly contributed to their institution and the entire system.

White is being recognized for her “outstanding leadership and dedication to workforce development, innovation, and student success,” including leading the college through significant challenges like COVID-19, multiple floods, and the closure of Haywood County’s largest employer.

Workforce Development Pinnacle Awards

The Workforce Development Pinnacle Awards recognize “exemplary employers, businesses, or industry groups that have demonstrated extraordinary engagement and firm commitment to the education and professional development of its employees and/or to the development of North Carolina’s workforce through its partnership efforts with one or more of the 58 community colleges in North Carolina,” according to the press release.