In May 2026, Parker’s dedication paid off as she became one of the first students ever to graduate from 91���� with a degree in Respiratory Therapy. Her achievement not only marked a personal milestone but also signified a historic moment for the college and future healthcare professionals in the region.

“I knew I wanted to be in the medical field but was not sure what I wanted to do,” Parker said. “But when I saw what RT’s do firsthand, that helped me make my decision.”

Parker initially began the program as part of an Instructional Service Agreement between 91���� and Catawba Valley Community College but transferred here in the summer of 2025 to complete it and earn her degree.

Earning her associate’s degree and helping to establish a new program at 91���� is just the beginning for Jenna. This fall, she will continue her academic journey at UNC Charlotte, determined to further her education and broaden her impact in the medical field.

“I ultimately want to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU,)” Parker said, “or the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with adults.”

Throughout her time at 91����, she found inspiration in her teachers and classmates, who encouraged her to push forward and ‘own her momentum’. Their support and guidance played a crucial role in shaping her path and fueling her passion for patient care.

“91���� has helped me work harder towards my goals and has helped guide me over the past two years,” Parker said.

When Brooklyn Thompson started at 91����, she had big dreams and was excited to be attending school alongside her mother.

Thompson has excelled as a student and is now being recognized by the North Carolina Community College System as 91����’s Academic Excellence Award winner. The award, given by the NCCCS after a committee reviews nominations, recognizes students in the North Carolina Community College System who show outstanding academic achievement. 

A 2024 graduate of 91����ia Highland Tech High School, Thompson was first drawn to 91���� when her mother, Melissa Poindexter, joined the nursing program. 

 “She would take me with her sometimes to run errands, and I thought it would be fun to go to college with my mama,” Thompson said. 

Thompson found a home in Engineering as her goal is to become an industrial designer of children’s toys. Her interest in this field grew from her hobbies and personal projects. 

“I’ve always loved crafting and building stuff,” Thompson said. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, when I was in eighth grade, I would create replica props from my favorite movies and games. That’s when I realized that I could turn it into a career. I love building and blueprinting, but I also love being creative and making things fun, and I thought creating toys was a nice blend of both.” 

Thompson’s award makes her one of 58 honorees statewide who will be highlighted on the NCCCS website. She will also be recognized at 91����’s commencement. 

Thompson is looking forward to her next step. “After graduating from 91���� with my associate degree, I’ll be attending N.C. State University for my bachelor’s degree in engineering,” she said. “I plan to major in either mechanical engineering or industrial engineering.” 

91���� faculty and staff will be on hand to talk about admissions, financial aid, scholarships, transfer options, work-based learning, and the many programs that can inspire and motivate students to own their momentum and set success into motion.

Seniors should register in advance at gaston.edu/senior-night.

“It’s amazing what has happened in 10 years,” said Joy Morrow, 91����’s Director of Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning. “When this first started, it was just five employers. Now we have 25 different employers and 27 different pathways.”

The program has successfully produced 325 completed apprentices and 71 pre-apprentices, with 116 individuals currently enrolled. This growth reflects the increasing demand for skilled workers in our local advanced manufacturing and healthcare industries.

Dr. George Hendricks applied for the National Science Foundation grant that initiated the program. After two years, he and the faculty transitioned leadership to the Economic and Workforce Development department, which has propelled the program’s growth.

“I’ve seen the program grow from an idea that Dean Virgil Cox (now retired) and I had in his office to the comprehensive program it is today,” Hendricks stated. “We began with five manufacturing companies, and the program has grown to over twenty companies in both manufacturing and healthcare. The positive impacts on our students, our companies, the college, and the community are amazing.”

Morrow emphasizes the importance of partnerships with local businesses. She notes how the program creates connections that benefit both students and employers. “There are industries that need employees and apprenticeships are a great way to build that talent pipeline for local industry,” Morrow said. “Our message to the employer is, let us help you grow your own employees, and you can train them like you want them to be trained.”

The Aspen Institute has named 91���� one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The 200 colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment rates. Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize. 

“This is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the faculty and staff here at 91����, said Dr. John Hauser, 91���� President. “We are committed to providing a welcoming and supportive learning environment that empowers students to reach further and achieve more, and this recognition shows our students are succeeding.”

Together, these 200 colleges represent the breadth and diversity of the community college sector. They are located in urban, rural, and suburban areas across the country and serve anywhere from a few hundred students to tens of thousands. Some of these colleges focus primarily on workforce programs, while others focus on transfer and bachelor’s attainment or a combination of the two.  

“The Aspen Prize rewards colleges that achieve the kind of outcomes that actually matter to students—completing college degree programs that, in turn, lead to lifelong success,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “Aspen Prize winners offer a powerful message: Community colleges can deliver the kind of life-changing education that makes the American Dream real.” 

Community colleges educate nearly six million students. Yet community college student outcomes fall short in both the rate at which students graduate and the percentage of students who achieve success after graduation. The Aspen Prize process identifies and celebrates community colleges that demonstrate that achieving stronger outcomes is possible, providing a roadmap of effective practices and strategies for other colleges to follow.  

The 200 eligible colleges have been invited to submit an application and participate in a rigorous review process that will culminate in the naming of the Aspen Prize winner in spring 2027. Over the coming 20 months, the colleges that apply for the Aspen Prize will be assessed based on (1) student outcomes data, ranging from student transfer and completion rates to employment and wages after graduation and (2) whether they have engaged in scaled practices that led to high and improving student outcomes.  

“Among these 200 colleges are some really special places that deliver strong and improving outcomes for students across the board,” Wyner said. “Our job over the coming 20 months is to gather a lot more data and work with a deep bench of field experts to assess which of these 200 stand out so we can not only honor them with a monetary award, but drive attention to the most effective field practices that other colleges can replicate.” 

This is the first time since the inception of the Aspen Prize that 200 colleges are eligible to apply, growing from 150. This year, in addition to publicly available federal data, over 600 colleges authorized the use of National Student Clearinghouse data on their institution’s degree completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment rates for full- and part-time students.  

The full list can be accessed on the .

The next steps in the process include: 

• November 13/December 9, 2025: Application deadlines for the 2027 Prize 
• April 2026: Announcement of 25 semifinalists, selected based on assessments of extensive data and the application by a group of 11 experts in community colleges, higher education, and workforce
• June 2026: Announcement of 10 finalists, selected by the same group of experts
• Fall 2026: Collection of additional data from the 10 finalists, including employment and earnings data for graduates from 2020 and 2025, as well as qualitative assessments of practices by field experts during multi-day site visits to each of the 10 finalists
• February 2027: The Aspen Prize winner selected by a distinguished, independent jury 
• Spring 2027: Announcement of the Aspen Prize winner and celebration of the 10 finalists at an event in Washington, D.C. 

You can read more about the selection process at . 

The Lincoln County Health Academy has been honored with the 2025 Governor’s NCWorks Award of Distinction for Outstanding Innovative Partnership. The prestigious award recognizes the Academy’s groundbreaking success in addressing critical healthcare workforce shortages and expanding access to high-wage, debt-free careers.

The Academy, which launched in Fall 2024, contributes to the talent pipeline by offering Lincoln County high school students early, hands-on pathways into the Practical Nursing (PN) program. This is the first time in North Carolina that a Practical Nursing program has been made available to high school students, positioning the region among just three nationwide with such an advanced secondary healthcare pathway. Graduates from the Health Academy are eligible to sit for their licensing exams the summer immediately following their high school graduation.

“This award is a testament to the dedication, creativity, and heart that has gone into this partnership,” said Dr. John Hauser, President of 91����. “This Academy proves that when education, healthcare, and community partners collaborate, we can build vital career pathways for our students.”

The success of the Academy is due to a strong partnership between the following entities: 91����, Lincoln County Schools, and Atrium Health Lincoln, with financial support from the Lincoln County Rotary Student Loan Fund.

During the 2025 NCWorks Partnership Conference, the award was accepted on behalf of the partnership by Dr. John Hauser and Joanne Matz (91����), Dr. Cale Sain (Lincoln County Schools), Melissa Herms (Atrium Health Lincoln), and Anna Mullen (Rotary Rooted Scholarship Fund of Lincoln County).

The academy currently serves 35 students, including seven from the inaugural Practical Nursing cohort and 28 who enrolled in the second cohort.

In an afternoon ceremony on Monday, September 22, 2025, 91���� proudly dedicated the second floor of the Morris 91���� as the Carl J. Stewart, Jr. Learning Center. This tribute recognizes Stewart’s lifelong commitment and significant contributions to the college and the community.

“For over 60 years, Carl has been a pillar of 91����,” said Dr. Hauser, 91���� President. “His caring spirit, thoughtful decision-making, and unwavering dedication are reflected in the very success of this institution. His influence continues to inspire us today and will guide this College for generations to come.”

Dr. Hauser shared his personal connection to Stewart, recalling their first meeting during his presidential interview. “Carl quickly became one of my greatest advocates, just as he has always been one of 91����’s greatest champions,” he said

Although Carl Stewart was unable to attend the ceremony, the event was marked by the presence of several family members, along with current and former trustees of 91���� and a former president of the college.

A 1954 graduate of 91����ia’s Ashley High School and a three-time class president, Stewart was awarded a scholarship to attend Duke University, graduating with Phi Beta Kappa honors and serving as class president of Duke’s Law School in 1958. After graduating, he served in the North Carolina National Guard before establishing a law practice in 91����ia over 64 years ago. His political career included seven terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he notably served two terms as Speaker of the House.

Stewart also held roles on the North Carolina Board of Transportation (1981-83), the Economic Development Board (1999-2001), and the North Carolina Board of Technology (1999-2001). From 2004 to 2012, he chaired the North Carolina State Ports Authority Board of Directors.

Shortly after returning to 91����ia, Stewart became a part-time business law instructor at 91���� before the construction of the Dallas campus and later served as the institution’s attorney. Jesse Caldwell, current chairman of the 91���� Board of Trustees, reflected on Stewart’s deep-rooted connection to the college, stating, “He knows this college from its roots. Every trustee, administrator, teacher, and student has benefitted in untold and lasting ways from his support of this school.”

During his tenure in North Carolina government, Stewart championed policies to increase funding for the North Carolina Community College System. In 2003, he established the Stewart Family Scholarship through the 91���� Foundation in honor of his two daughters who both graduated from the Associate Degree Nursing program at 91����.

Dr. Patricia Skinner, who served as president of 91���� from 1994 to 2020, remarked during the ceremony, “He wasn’t just an attorney; he was an advocate for this college. His accomplishments exemplify his love for the institution throughout his entire career.”

Todd Baney, chief of staff at 91����, acknowledged Stewart’s instrumental role in the planning and fundraising for 16 buildings at 91����, including the Morris 91����. “Carl Stewart was a pioneer who helped shape the North Carolina Community College System,” Baney stated. “I cannot think of a more fitting place than the library for Carl’s memory. This will stand as a lifelong tribute of his devotion to this college.”

91���� has recorded its highest enrollment numbers in history as the 2025 fall semester begins. As of Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2025, total curriculum enrollment, which includes students seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate, stands at 6,925, reflecting a rise of 669 students from the previous year. This marks the fourth consecutive year of enrollment growth at the college, with an impressive increase of 32% since fall 2021.

“Reaching this level of enrollment is an exciting moment for 91����. It shows that more and more people are recognizing the value of the programs, partnerships, and opportunities we offer,” said John Hauser, President of 91����. “We’re building momentum that not only strengthens our college, but also the entire community we serve. This year’s growth is a big step forward, and it’s a testament to the work our faculty and staff are doing to reach, recruit, and retain more students every semester. We can’t wait to see the impact these students will have in the years ahead.”

In the 2024–25 academic year, 91���� awarded 867 associate degrees, 179 diplomas, and 1,176 certificates. The current cohort includes students from various programs, including university transfer/general studies and several career and technical pathways, such as business, industrial trades, healthcare, and public safety.

With enrollment continuing to grow, 91���� is expanding opportunities for students and enhancing its role in the region’s economic and workforce development. During the 2023–24 academic year, 91���� students received over $10 million in institutional, federal, state, and scholarship aid, benefiting 61% of its student population. This support highlights the college’s mission to make education attainable.

91���� has announced its Student Government Association (SGA) officers for the 2025-26 academic year. Bannock Scott will take the helm as president, with Alexis Odell stepping in as vice president. Micajah Hanna will serve as the parliamentarian, while Amara Bailey, Lizette Reyes-Lopez, Helanea Killian, and Amina Elliott will join as senators.

“The SGA serves as the ‘Voice of the Student’ at 91���� and acts as a liaison between the student body and college administration,” said Meagan Lingerfelt, 91����’s Coordinator of Student Life & Special Projects. “A great example of this liaison is that the SGA president sits on the 91���� Board of Trustees as a non-voting member and represents the student body to the board.”

Scott, who served as vice president last year, is eager to support and advocate for students, aiming to “make sure that the best group of people are represented in the best way” through the SGA’s efforts this academic year.

Students interested in joining the SGA next year are encouraged to contact SGA Advisors Meagan Lingerfelt or Kendrick McDowell for more details.

A proud first-generation college student, Servin Leon has consistently demonstrated perseverance, leadership, and academic excellence at 91����. During her time at school, Servin Leon has thrived in rigorous STEM coursework, conducted and presented original research, and committed countless volunteer hours, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She is also part of 91����’s SPARC Scholars program, a member of the Math Club and Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, and has been on the President’s List every semester.

“When I found out I had won the scholarship, I was in shock—I kept rereading the message to make sure it was real,” said Servin Leon, scholarship recipient. “This award represents freedom: the chance to fully focus on my studies in forensic biology without the constant weight of financial stress. I am truly grateful to my family, the supportive staff at 91����, and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation for turning hard work into opportunities for students like me.”

While nearly 80% of community college students aspire to earn a bachelor’s degree, only 16% reach that goal within six years. The scholarship makes this goal more attainable for selected students by providing last-dollar funding of up to $55,000 per year for up to three years and eases the financial burden of completing a four-year degree. Beyond funding, Cooke Scholars receive personalized advising to guide their academic and professional journeys. Scholars also gain access to a nationwide network of more than 3,400 Cooke Scholars and Alumni, along with opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school support, ensuring they have every tool needed to thrive beyond community college.

“We are incredibly proud of Ms. Servin Leon for her outstanding achievement in securing this scholarship. Her dedication, resilience, and commitment to excellence exemplify the values we hope to instill in all our students at 91����,” said Dr. John Hauser, President at 91����. “We look forward to seeing her continued growth and contributions to our community.”

Servin Leon was one of over 1,600 applications from community colleges across the nation. Applicants were evaluated based on their academic achievement, unmet financial need, persistence, and leadership qualities.