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The following announcement was published on . 99������Ƶ's Heather Pack was named Staff Member of the Year, and 99������Ƶ's customized training partner Pratt & Whitney was named Business of the Year.

Raleigh, N.C. — When Cheri Landreth enrolled at Surry Community College after a career-ending accident in 2019, she wasn’t sure what her future would hold. Five years later, she stood before more than 300 guests at The Angus Barn Pavilion in Raleigh to accept the Dallas Herring Achievement Award — the NC Community College System’s highest recognition for student excellence.

“There was a time in my life when I didn’t know what my future would look like,” Landreth said. “Community college gave me that chance. It met me where I was and changed everything for me.”

Her story was one of nine honored Wednesday evening at the NC Community Colleges Awards Dinner and Celebration, co-hosted by the NC Community College System, the State Board of Community Colleges, and the NC Community Colleges Foundation. The event, presented by Duke Energy and emceed by WRAL Anchor/Reporter Dan Haggerty, recognized outstanding students, educators, employers, and leaders from across the state’s 58 colleges.

“This is not just a dinner — it’s a true celebration of what this System does every day,” said State Board Chair Tom Looney. “The presidents are leading their colleges with vision. The System Office team that supports and enables those colleges. The faculty and staff guiding students through challenges. The business and government partners who believe in this work. Together, they are delivering more skilled workers, more opportunities for families, and a stronger economy across North Carolina. Now that is worth celebrating.”

Signature Awards

Named for two North Carolina community college pioneers, the Signature Awards recognize transformational impact at both the individual and institutional levels.

The Dallas Herring Achievement Award, named for the architect of the state’s “open-door” philosophy, was presented to Landreth of Surry Community College. In addition to her academic comeback, she served as Phi Theta Kappa president and led major community memorial initiatives.

The — named for the System’s first president — was presented to Rick Hendrick, Chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and founder of Hendrick Motorsports, for his decades of investment in automotive training facilities and apprenticeship pipelines across North Carolina. The award was accepted on his behalf by Pat Colgan, Director of Fixed Operations at Hendrick Automotive Group.

“This award reflects a belief in investing in people, creating opportunities, giving back to communities, and striving every day to be better than the day before,” Colgan said.

Faculty and Staff Awards

Three educators and staff members were recognized for lasting contributions to their colleges and students.

The was presented to Tonya Stephens, instructor at Blue Ridge Community College, for pioneering cybersecurity and artificial intelligence pathways.

“There’s a moment when something clicks, and you can see it,” Stephens said. “Confidence replaces doubt, and suddenly, what once felt impossible feels within reach. That’s what makes this work so meaningful.”

The was presented to Heather Pack, Director of Student Support Services at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, for her transformative work in student mental health and disability services.

The was presented to Dr. Janet Spriggs, President of Forsyth Technical Community College, whose roots in the NC community college system run as deep as her personal story.

“The red clay dirt on my family’s tobacco farm in Milton is where my roots grew,” Spriggs said. “My love of learning and two community colleges gave me my wings. Leading Forsyth Tech is full-circle and deeply personal.”

Workforce Development Pinnacle Awards

The evening’s Pinnacle Awards recognized employers whose partnerships with community colleges are actively building North Carolina’s workforce pipeline. Representatives from the Siemens Foundation and Wells Fargo presented the following awards:

• : Caterpillar, Inc. with Central Carolina Community College
• : Okuma America Corporation with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
• : Aegis Power Systems, Inc., with Tri-County Community College
• : Pratt & Whitney with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Kevin McLaughlin, VP of Government and External Relations at presenting sponsor Duke Energy, framed what these partnerships represent at scale.

“North Carolina continues to be one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and that’s why this partnership is critical — for us, for the community colleges, and for the state,” McLaughlin said. “That talent pipeline doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through intentional collaboration and careful investment.”

Inaugural Pathways to Employment Leadership Award

In a first-of-its-kind recognition, the was presented to Senator Michael Lee, Lisa Estep, and Nancye Gaj for their work on the Access to Achievement program, which creates career pathways for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I hope this program shows there is a place for you in our community colleges. There is a place for you in our workforce,” Estep said. “Access to Achievement will be a connecting bridge.”

A Statewide Showcase

The evening also featured student showcases from seven colleges representing programs in aquaculture, jazz performance, professional craft, environmental learning, electric vehicles, and automotive excellence — a cross-section of the workforce-ready training happening in communities across North Carolina.

“These aren’t just recognitions,” said System President Dr. Jeff Cox. “They’re a reminder of what this entire enterprise is built on.”

The program also featured live student performances and displays from Carteret Community College’s Aquaculture Program, Fayetteville Tech Community College’s Jazz Ensemble, Haywood Community College’s Professional Craft Program, Johnston Community College’s Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center, Southwestern Community College’s Electric Vehicle Program, Wake Tech Community College’s Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence, and the NC Community Colleges Access to Achievement Program.

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