Reconnecting Adult Learners to What Matters

In Spring 2025, Southeastern Community College joined the fifth cohort of NC Reconnect, a statewide initiative focused on helping adult learners return to college, complete credentials, and build stronger futures for themselves and their families. For SCC, this work quickly became more than an enrollment initiative. It became a community effort rooted in access, support, and opportunity.

Launched through a collaboration between the John M. Belk Endowment, myFutureNC, the Belk Center for Community College Leadership, and the North Carolina Community College System, NC Reconnect helps adults ages 25 to 44 reconnect with education through flexible pathways, targeted outreach, and personalized support.

The initiative was created to address both workforce needs across North Carolina and the growing number of adults who had started college but never completed a degree or credential.

“The John M. Belk Endowment is pleased to partner with Southeastern Community College and so many other outstanding community college leaders across our state to catalyze and supercharge their efforts to recruit and support adult students,” said MC Belk Pilon, President and Board Chair of the John M. Belk Endowment.

Across the state, NC Reconnect has helped community colleges strengthen access for adult learners seeking new opportunities, career advancement, and a fresh start.

“We know that many North Carolinians are looking for new challenges or a fresh start, and we believe our community colleges are a great place for their journey to begin,” Pilon said.

For SCC, that mission aligned naturally with the college’s long-standing commitment to access, affordability, and workforce readiness.

“Southeastern Community College has long been committed to providing continuous learning at any age, and NC Reconnect helps us bring that commitment to more adult learners in our community,” said SCC President Dr. Chris English. “By opening doors for adults to return to education, we can help them gain the skills they need to thrive in today’s evolving job market and contribute to a stronger, more vibrant Columbus County.”

Throughout the year, SCC expanded its outreach efforts across Columbus County through digital campaigns, community events, and direct engagement with residents who had previously started college but had not yet completed a degree or credential.

One of the most impactful efforts came through SCC’s partnership with the local faith-based community. In June, Dr. English met with members and pastors of the Brunswick Waccamaw Missionary Baptist Association, where representatives from 12 churches joined the conversation about adult learner success and educational access.

“My message to them was that they change a lot of lives, and they are in the business of changing lives through God’s help,” English said. “We want them to help and assist us with getting out our message about our support for adult learners.”

This partnership helped SCC reach adults where they already felt connected and supported, while reinforcing a clear message: cost should not be a barrier to education.

“With our postcard flyers and letters with information and QR codes, we want people to know that families making $80,000 or less per year can come to college for free,” English said. “Don’t let the cost of college hold you back and let us take care of that cost by providing it to you for free.”

That momentum carried into the summer, when SCC hosted its first Adult Learner Open House in the Williamson Library. Designed as a one-stop shop, the event brought together admissions, advising, financial aid, and student support services in one convenient evening setting for working adults and families.

“The main goal of this event was to reach out to adult learners in our community, get them on campus and interact with campus staff,” said Ashley McPherson, Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Student Services.

With evening hours and all support services available in one location, the event was intentionally built around convenience and community.

“They weren’t just showing up to a place and not knowing where to go,” McPherson said. “There was someone there guiding them every step of the way.”

As the initiative continued into the fall semester, SCC expanded support beyond recruitment by strengthening retention efforts and barrier removal. With the addition of Jessica McDowell, Adult Learner and Customer Relationship Management Coordinator, students received personalized outreach through phone calls, texts, emails, and in person support.

“A lot of adult learners already have families and jobs, and sometimes life just gets in the way of them finishing school,” McDowell said. “I try to keep them motivated and not quit.”

Her work focused on helping students overcome the barriers that most often interrupt persistence, including transportation, childcare, transcript fees, technology access, and financial stress.

Transportation quickly emerged as one of the largest obstacles. Through mini grant funding and direct support, SCC helped provide bus vouchers and assistance with transcript costs, while also connecting students to on campus computer labs and flexible learning options.

“When those gift cards were given out, some students were brought to tears in appreciation,” McDowell said. “They felt seen and appreciated.”

That sense of being seen and supported became one of the defining themes of SCC’s NC Reconnect work. From adult learners returning after decades away from the classroom, to students changing careers, completing unfinished degrees, or building stackable workforce credentials, the initiative helped open doors for residents across Columbus County.

Students like John Hendren, who returned to pursue Automotive Systems Technology with the goal of opening his own shop.

Students like Felicia Brown, who returned to SCC after nearly three decades to continue her nursing journey.

Students like Reesey Robertson, who came back to school to build skills in Audio and Video Production so she could better serve her church and community.

Each story reflects the heart of NC Reconnect’s mission: meeting adult learners where they are and helping them move forward.

Over the past year, SCC’s NC Reconnect efforts have strengthened community partnerships, increased adult learner engagement, and reinforced the college’s commitment to creating fast, flexible, and affordable pathways to careers that matter.

For many students, returning to college was not just about earning a credential. It was about reclaiming momentum, confidence, and possibility.

To learn more about SCC’s programs and adult learner opportunities, visit www.sccnc.edu.