2026
SECU Foundation Gives Scholarship Funds
March 30, 2026
Alecia Valadez, second from left, senior member services officer for the Grantsboro branch of the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU), presents $18,000 in SECU Foundation “Bridge to Career Program” scholarship funds to Pamlico Community College for the 2025-26 academic year.
The funds are being used to help PCC Continuing Education students pay for workforce development courses, including many in allied health fields.
Accepting the donation are PCC Coordinator of Occupational Health Tina Ormond, at left, Nurse Aide I students, from left, Emily Dingess, Shantara Stilley and Adrianna Hamilton, PCC President Zac Schnell, fifth from left, and PCC Chair of Continuing Education and Technical Programs Lori Giles, at right.
The presentation took place on March 30 at the college’s Delamar Center.
For more information about the college’s short-term course offerings in allied health fields, please visit https://pamlicocc.edu/programs/continuing-education/healthcare-occupations/
Inaugural AI Fest Set for April 16
March 26, 2026
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to change the nature of work, education, the arts, and how Americans go about their daily lives. Pamlico Community College wants to show students and the community what’s possible with this world-changing technology.
The college will be hosting its inaugural AI Creativity Fest (AI Fest) on Thursday, April 16, at the college’s Grantsboro campus. The free event, which is scheduled to run from noon to 6:45 p.m., will feature workshops, panel discussions, and demonstrations of AI’s capabilities.
“Community members, families, local business owners, educators, and anyone curious about Artificial Intelligence are welcome to join us April 16,” said Pamlico President Zac Schnell, a longtime proponent of AI who has lectured about the technology throughout the state and nation.
He conceived an AI Fest to show area residents all the possibilities the emerging technology offers here at home.
“Our AI Fest is for the community,” Schnell said. “It’s designed to show new opportunities and new experiences for our region and our future.”
The president continued, “AI has given us the ability to express more of our ideas, our thoughts, and our imaginations. AI technology also promises to increase productivity for work and in our personal lives. This is an exciting time, and we want to share it with our neighbors.”
A college committee has been working to organize the event so that it’s engaging, informative, and fun.
AI Fest actually will begin Wednesday, April 15, with a day focused exclusively on local high schools. Students from Pamlico County High School, Arapahoe Charter School and Pamlico Christian Academy have been encouraged to enter AI-enhanced art & design, video, music, writing, and innovation projects in competitions that will be featured during the event’s high school-focused first day.
“AI Fest is a fun, engaging, and healthy way for students in Pamlico County to step into the exciting world of Artificial Intelligence through friendly competition,” said PCC Director of Admissions/Recruiter Shellie Saxby, a key organizer of the event. “This event not only encourages innovation and creativity but also gives students the chance to showcase their skills and teamwork. One school will earn ultimate bragging rights, taking home the first-place trophy to proudly display in their trophy case, along with a $200 prize that goes to the first-place winner in each category.”
AI Fest will really get going on Thursday, April 16, when the college invites the entire community to campus.
The day will feature AI training workshops designed for three audiences – small business owners, educators & administrators, and general community members. The workshops will be tailored to each group’s needs.
“We want to show how AI can help grow your business, enhance your classroom, streamline some workflows, or simply make everyday life easier,” Schnell said.
Entries from high school students will be featured in the Innovation Gallery for public viewing and People’s Choice voting.
Food trucks (The Flame and Roadside Dogs) and live entertainment will be on campus to build energy throughout the afternoon.
The evening will close with the Awards Ceremony in the Delamar Center, where student winners will be recognized by Schnell and the overall champion school will take home the trophy. Attendees of the Awards Ceremony will have a chance to win additional prizes valued from $50 to $600.
“Day two of AI Fest (April 16) expands beyond the competition, inviting the entire community – near and far – to come together and learn more about AI,” Saxby said. “With opportunities for education and professional development, it’s a chance for everyone to explore how this rapidly growing technology is shaping our future. I am truly excited to be part of this one-of-a-kind event and can’t wait to see the impact it will have on our students and community.”
For more information about AI Fest, including a schedule of activities, please visit www.pccaifest.com or contact Shellie Saxby at 252-249-1851, ext. 3025, or ssaxby@pamlicocc.edu.
Oyster Roast Draws Hungry Crowd to PCC
March 2, 2026
A hungry and happy crowd came out to Pamlico Community College last Saturday to eat their fill of oysters and chili and to raise funds for student scholarships at the 14th Annual Great Oyster Roast & Chili Cookoff.
Gloomy morning skies gave way to a sunny, pleasant afternoon in time for the popular fundraiser.
Organizers are still tallying up final results, but they say they were very pleased with the event’s turnout and spirit.
“Our community always shows outstanding support for this event,” said PCC Foundation Executive Director Heather Arevalo, who spearheaded last Saturday’s Oyster Roast & Chili Cookoff. “People come from near and far, year after year, to support us. We would like to thank our guests, sponsors, and volunteers for making this a tremendous success to benefit our students.”
The late Dr. Cleve Cox, who served as the college’s president in the early 2000s, conceived the event as a way for area residents to come together, have fun with their neighbors and raise money for student scholarships.
By those measures, Saturday’s 14th annual event was a fantastic success.
Hungry folks began arriving long before the event’s official 3 p.m. start time. Frequent event attendees stood side-by-side with newcomers as an experienced team of cookers prepared and delivered steamed oysters to outdoor shucking tables.
Not far away, attendees lined up inside the Delamar Center to sample chilis and to socialize with their neighbors.
Shortly before the event began, judges Chris Davis, Ken Heath and Zac Schnell gathered at an indoor table to sample and score each of the 11 entries in the chili contest. Chefs were creative with the entries, offering beef, chicken, venison, and vegetarian options.
Outdoors, popular band Southern Hellcats provided the entertainment, playing a series of familiar pop and rock hits.
Portable tables and chairs were set up outside for sitting and eating, but most attendees stood around the plywood tables to shuck and eat their fill of the briny treats.
Several donated door prizes from area businesses were given away at the midway point of the event.
Bonnie Dixon won first place in the chili cookoff. Her “Chili of Champions” beat out two-time champ Albert Krelie’s “Crazy Al’s Chili” for the top prize.
Dixon took home a trophy and a $50 Kohl’s gift card. Krelie received a trophy and a $25 gift card to Nautical Wheelers.
Ben Eborn won the 50-50 raffle and generously donated his half of the $502 pot back to the PCC Foundation.
The Foundation thanks area businesses and individuals for agreeing to be sponsors, including Pearl Sponsors Duke Energy, Dr. Sherri Hicks of Oriental Village Veterinary Hospital, Garland F. Fulcher Seafood Co., and Dr. Garnett Whitehurst.
Briny-level sponsors included Dan Roberts of Edward Jones Investments, Rose and Glenn Lore, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Carolina Bay Outfitters, Martha Whitford, and the Arevalo Family.
Chili Cookoff sponsors were Mariner Realty, Inc., Iris Hudson, The Insurance Center, Pamlico County Senior Center, Ben’s Excavating & Land Development, and PCC faculty and staff.
Prize sponsors included Bayboro Pharmacy, Minnesott Yacht Golf & Country Club, Nautical Wheelers, Duke Energy, Pamlico Gifts, PCC Cosmetology and Esthetics, Bike Box Project/Rock Steady Boxing, Harbourside Garden Co., The Bean, and The Beacon.
The Foundation’s next event will be its annual Fundraising Golf Tournament Oct. 17 at Minnesott.
For more information about the PCC Foundation, call 252-249-1851, ext. 3084.
UHC Offers Health Care Scholarships
February 23, 2026
Pamlico Community College announces its participation in the UnitedHealthcare Future Leaders in Health Scholarship Program, a new initiative aimed at training the next generation of rural health care professionals.
North Carolina is currently facing a health care crisis, with nearly three million residents living in areas without adequate medical professionals. Rural counties are hit the hardest, often operating with half the number of providers per capita compared to urban areas. Projections show that by 2033, the state is expected to face shortfalls of over 12,500 registered nurses and 5,000 licensed practical nurses.
To address this challenge, UnitedHealthcare has invested $500,000 in a new scholarship program that will benefit 400 NC community college students across thirty-five North Carolina Community Colleges, including Pamlico. The scholarship program supports students pursuing both short-term credentials and degrees in health care, specifically focusing on Nurse Aide I (NA I) and Nurse Aide II (NA II), Practical Nurse (PN), and Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) coursework.
At PCC, the scholarships will support students in the college’s popular NA I and NA II programs.
“At Pamlico, we see firsthand the passion our students have for serving their communities,” said Lori Giles, PCC’s chair of Continuing Education and Technical Programs. “This partnership with UnitedHealthcare allows us to remove financial barriers like tuition, ensuring our local health care facilities are staffed by the talented professionals our neighbors depend on.”
This gift is the latest chapter in UnitedHealthcare’s commitment to North Carolina’s rural health infrastructure.
“By investing in the Future Leaders in Health Scholarship Program, we are not only supporting the career aspirations of dedicated students but also ensuring that North Carolinians in rural and underserved areas have access to the high-quality, local care they deserve,” said Anita Bachmann, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina.
The scholarships are designed to be comprehensive, covering costs ranging from tuition and testing to basic living expenses and transportation.
“This investment allows us to remove the financial barriers that often stand between a student and a health care career,” said Dr. Jeff Cox, president of the N.C. Community College System. “It is a strategic investment in the future of our state’s economy and the well-being of our citizens.”
Students at Pamlico interested in applying for the UnitedHealthcare Future Leaders in Health Scholarship should contact Giles at 252-249-1851, ext. 3015, or email lgiles@pamlicocc.edu.
Four PCC Health Care Programs to Start
February 16, 2026
Spring is just around the corner, so now is a good time to start thinking about a fresh start and a new career. Pamlico Community College has four short-term programs starting March 2 that could help!
The four programs are: Dental Billing and Coding; Electronic Health Records; Medical Billing and Coding; and Medical Office Professional.
All can be completed entirely online, and they are designed to help men and women launch new careers in the fast-growing health care sector.
“These four programs have been designed to accommodate the needs of adult learners,” said Lori Giles, the college’s chair of Continuing Education and Technical Programs. “Each of them is offered in a convenient, web-based format, which is great for busy students. They are perfect for people who want to explore careers that support the region’s health care providers.”
Registration for the programs is open now, and financial aid is available for qualified students.
Below is a brief description of the programs:
* Dental Billing and Coding is a two-part program that prepares students for jobs handling dental bills and insurance claims.
* Electronic Health Records covers the techniques and responsibilities for handling manual and electronic health records.
* Medical Billing and Coding is a three-part program that prepares students for jobs handling medical bills and insurance claims.
* Medical Office Professional Program is a four-course program to prepare men and women to work in medical offices and health clinics. Courses include Medical Administration, Medical Legal Issues, Medical Billing, and Medical Office Procedures.
For more detailed information about these programs, including costs, please visit https://pamlicocc.edu/programs/continuing-education/healthcare-occupations/ .
For additional questions, please call 252-249-1851, ext. 3015, or email lgiles@pamlicocc.edu.
Level Up Workshop Set for March 12 at PCC
February 9, 2026
Pamlico Community College wants to help unemployed, underemployed and formerly incarcerated men and women learn the skills they need for a great career. The college also is offering a free job-training course to help them get started!
Thanks to a $1,500 grant from the NC East Alliance, the college has scheduled a “Level Up Workforce Development Workshop” for Thursday, March 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Delamar Center on campus.
Men and women who register for the free event will learn how to write a resume, how to conduct themselves during job interviews, and how to develop a professional portfolio for potential employers.
Participants also will receive a free head-and-shoulders photo to include in future job application packages and, most importantly, they will receive a voucher valued at $180 for one of Pamlico’s workforce training courses, including Forklift Training, OSHA 10, ServSafe, and others.
“We know there are men and women in our community who have great potential,” said PCC’s Derek Godwin, an organizer of the workshop. “We want to help these folks, particularly those who are unemployed, underemployed or who have been incarcerated, get started on a new career. This one-day event could be the first step to helping people unlock their potential and move to the next level.”
Lunch will be provided for participants.
Registration closes Feb. 28, so Godwin and other workshop organizers encourage interested men and women to sign up soon by visiting scanning the QR code on the event flier.
Pamper Someone You Love for Valentine’s!
January 16, 2026
It’s time to spoil your sweetie – or treat yourself!
Pamlico Community College’s Esthetics and Cosmetology programs are once again teaming up to offer their popular Valentine’s gift package on Feb. 10, 11 and 12.
This pampering package includes a 30-minute strawberry and chocolate facial performed by Esthetics students, along with an updo or hairstyling service by Cosmetology students.
It’s the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for you or someone you love — a chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy a refreshing, feel-good pampering session.
Important: Participants must arrive with freshly shampooed and dried hair.
Appointments are required. The cost for the package is $16. Services will be provided at the PCC Cosmetology Building off N.C. 55 (Main Street) in Bayboro.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 252-249-1851, ext. 3130.
Happy Valentine’s Day from PCC!
Community Colleges Propel NC to No. 1
January 12, 2026
North Carolina has been ranked No. 1 in Site Selection Magazine’s annual Workforce Development Rankings, in large part because of the role the state’s community colleges – including Pamlico – have in training men and women for great careers in the state’s everchanging economy.
Through programs including NCEdge Customized Training, ApprenticeshipNC, the Small Business Center Network and BioNetwork, North Carolina’s community colleges work directly with employers to deliver industry-aligned training that supports both expansion and competitiveness.
“This recognition affirms what companies experience every day when they locate and grow in North Carolina,” said Dr. Jeff Cox, president of NCCCS. “Our workforce development model is built on strong partnerships, local responsiveness and a clear focus on employer needs, which gives North Carolina a decisive advantage.”
For his part, PCC President Zac Schnell said the No. 1 ranking from Site Selection Magazine demonstrates the commitment Pamlico and the state’s other 57 community colleges have to preparing workers for rewarding careers.
“We are proud of the work our instructors do to meet the workforce demands of our state’s growing economy,” he said. “As a college, we try to be nimble so we can respond to market demands for high-quality employees in the growing sectors of the economy. As technologies change, all of us at Pamlico are ready to embrace new economic opportunities and prepare men and women for success.”
North Carolina’s No. 1 ranking by Site Selection Magazine comes just months after the state was named CNBC’s “Top State for Business” (2025), an honor that highlighted North Carolina’s robust and dynamic business climate across key sectors such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, defense, technology and food and beverage production.
John Loyack, vice president of economic development for NCCCS, said the ranking reinforces the System’s role as a strategic partner to industry.
“Our colleges operate at the intersection of education and economic development,” said Loyack. “We work side by side with employers to solve real workforce challenges, whether that means launching a new facility, adopting advanced technologies or upskilling an existing workforce.”
Central to this success is NCEdge, the System’s customized training program, which partners with businesses across the state to provide tailored workforce solutions. In the past four years alone, NCEdge has trained more than 100,000 North Carolinians, helping employees master new technologies and improve productivity.
In addition to customized training, the System delivers a coordinated set of workforce solutions that support employers across industries and regions:
* ApprenticeshipNC expands registered apprenticeship throughout the state by combining paid, on-the-job learning with classroom instruction to strengthen talent pipelines and improve workforce retention.
* The Small Business Center Network provides counseling, training and access-to-capital support to entrepreneurs and small businesses, helping drive job creation and local economic growth in communities statewide.
Katie Shorter leads Pamlico’s Small Business Center.
* BioNetwork further strengthens the state’s workforce ecosystem by delivering specialized training, biomanufacturing support and applied research services that enable life sciences and biotechnology companies to innovate and scale.
Together, these programs deliver employer-driven workforce solutions across North Carolina, supporting companies from startup through expansion.
“As president, I take pride in the work our instructors do to prepare our state’s 21st century workforce,” Schnell said. “We’re ready to work with employers and others to grow our economy and move our state forward.”
The president continued, “We at PCC want to be an anchor of opportunity to help get you to where you want to go! In workforce development sectors or something else of interest to you, we are the place for you to start.”
For more information about workforce training at Pamlico Community College, please contact the college’s Continuing Education division at 252-249-1851, ext. 3015.