Last fall, it only took a week and 135 COVID-19 cases for UNC-Chapel Hill to abandon its plan for in-person classes and dorms, sending classes online and students home. But this year, after two weeks, 394 cases and growing anxiety among students and faculty, UNC-CH is staying the course. Why is this year different?

Suicides at UNC-Chapel Hill led to a day off, dogs on campus and other efforts to relieve stress as students grieve.

Although challenges on the path to higher education exist in every community, the issues are often greater in rural areas. To a large extent, rural communities are poorer, underserved, and have lower college completion rates than in urban areas.

Challenges on the path to higher education exist in every community, but they are often far greater in rural areas. These communities are typically poorer, underserved, and have lower college completion rates compared to urban areas. The president of Southwestern Community College explains what his school is doing to improve access, student success, and equity for rural residents.

This year is uniquely special for North Carolina’s community colleges. Many of the 58 institutions held their first in-person commencement ceremonies since the start of the pandemic, and some had their largest graduating classes cross the stage this year. It's also a special year for the 2022 graduates.

The first week Ethan Jones attended a Gay-Straight-Transgender Alliance (GSTA) meeting at Sandhills Community College, he was the only student there. “I wanted to get more involved with the community,” said Jones, who is now the club’s president. “Because I hadn’t really met any other gay people until the meeting.” The next week, another student joined Jones. Together, they worked to advertise the club so more people would come.

Like other adult learners, veteran students are more likely to have responsibilities outside of college. Student veterans also face challenges navigating financial aid, veteran education benefits, and transitioning from the military to the classroom. North Carolina's community colleges are stepping up with specific supports and resources to help them succeed.

Over 40% of fall 2020 community college first-year students did not return to college their second year, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Often students are forced to drop out or cut back on classes because life happens – such events include homelessness, food insecurity, mental health crises, transportation issues, lack of child care options, problems with technology, and so on.