On May 15, Central Piedmont Community College awarded degrees, diplomas, and credentials to 1,736 students whose personal and academic journeys are shaping the region's future. The ceremonies, held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Bojangles Coliseum, celebrated a graduating class rich in determination, diversity, and purpose.

Student speaker Shenise Young opened the morning ceremony with a moving message of perseverance. Once a college dropout with a 0.827 GPA, Shenise returned to Central Piedmont as a wife and mother of two and completed her associate degree in arts.

"Central Piedmont didn't just give us a degree. They loved us, believed in us, and gave us a chance some of us didn't think we deserved," said Young. "We've been given a solid foundation--and now we are built differently."

Across both ceremonies:

• 198 graduates completed programs in nursing and allied health
• 106 in information technology
• 119 in hospitality, entrepreneurship, and service industries
• 78 in trades and automotive careers
• 36 in engineering

In addition, the college awarded $723,300 in scholarships to 263 students. Over half of the graduates will transfer to four-year institutions, including UNC Charlotte, Appalachian State, and N.C. State.

"This is how a region builds its future," said Central Piedmont President Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer. "We educate the people who care for our families, power our businesses, and shape our communities--and they do it while working, parenting, and overcoming tremendous obstacles."

Student Spotlights

• Shenise Young Shared her story of redemption and renewed purpose as student speaker.
• Tyshon Freeman From high school dropout to logistics leader, earning a degree in Supply Chain Management.
• Kiona White Survivor of domestic violence and homelessness, now pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work.
• Maryann Ingram A 65-year-old Charlotte native and caregiver earning her high school diploma through the Career and College Readiness program.
• Chloe Mbongo Delivered a heartfelt speech on starting again after setbacks, now a President's List student.
• Laura Oviedo-Loyola A young mother of two graduating from the automotive program with plans to open her own shop.
• Rakia Regan Overcame homelessness and domestic violence while earning a Medical Office Administration degree; now employed full-time at a hospital.
• Fawad Ataee Afghan refugee who raised his GPA from 0.7 to 3.8 while supporting his family; heading to UNC Charlotte to study project management.

These graduates embody Central Piedmont's mission: providing accessible, life-changing education that fuels economic mobility and community strength.

"We don't just offer classes, we open doors," said Deitemeyer. "Every diploma represents new energy and talent flowing into our region."

• Rising CMS seniors can take 14 credit hours of automotive classes 

• Funding provided by Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation, Faison Enterprises, and The Merancas Foundation, in partnership with the Charlotte ToolBank 

• Program offers weekly financial supplement, free toolkit, and more 

This summer, Central Piedmont Community College will launch "Accelerate to Success," a new program that gives 25 rising seniors from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools the chance to take advanced automotive classes and earn a 14-credit College & Career Promise Certification, fast-tracking them toward a career in the automotive industry. 

The program is made possible with funding from Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation, Faison Enterprises, and The Merancas Foundation. The classes will take place at the Hendrick Center for Automotive Technology, located at Central Piedmont's Levine Campus in Matthews.  

In addition to covering the cost of the courses, the funding will provide students with a daily lunch, a weekly financial supplement, and transportation coverage. Central Piedmont is partnering with the Charlotte ToolBank to equip each graduate of this program with a professional automotive toolkit, empowering them to confidently transition from classroom to career with the tools they need to succeed. 

"We are incredibly grateful to our generous donors for making this program possible," said Christopher Facente, Central Piedmont's dean of skilled trades and transportation. "This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity that gives high school students a real head start in the automotive industry through college-level coursework and hands-on experience. This initiative reflects our commitment to innovation in education and our belief in the potential of every student." 

The program runs Mondays-Thursdays from June 16-July 31, and classes offered include Intro to Transportation, PC Skills for Transportation, Basic Electrical Systems, and Climate Control Systems. 

About Central Piedmont 

Central Piedmont Community College is highly accessible and convenient to people of all ages who seek a real-world, affordable, hands-on education that will transform their lives and strengthen the economic, social, and cultural environment of Mecklenburg County. Central Piedmont is also a smart investment. At a fraction of the cost, students learn by doing, receiving a combination of technical and soft skills training from quality faculty who prepare them to enter the workforce and make a difference in their family, business, community, and world. Founded in 1963, Central Piedmont Community College has eight locations throughout Mecklenburg County, offering nearly 300-degree, diploma, and certification programs; customized corporate training; market-focused continuing education; and special interest classes. For more information, visit cpcc.edu, or connect with the college on social media at cpcc.edu/social. 

About Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation 

Established in 2023 by Margaret and Smoky Bissell, the Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation's mission is to invest in innovative ideas and bold leadership to drive positive outcomes in Health, Human Services, and Education across the greater Charlotte region.  

BBLF is self-directed and has elected to deeply invest in organizations that will contribute to Charlotte's success. 

About Faison Enterprises 

Faison Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1988 by Henry J. Faison.  His vision was to create a firm that focused primarily on real estate investing, but above all to be a good corporate citizen. The firm's mission is to honor the legacy of Mr. Faison by partnering with nonprofits on transformative initiatives. This program at Central Piedmont fulfills one of the firm's objectives in promoting career and workforce readiness. For more information, please see www.faison.com 

About The Merancas Foundation 

The Merancas Foundation supports local nonprofits that provide opportunities to improve the lives of individuals and families experiencing economic hardship. 

About Charlotte ToolBank 

We are a nonprofit tool lending program that provides charitable organizations with year-round access to our inventory of tools for use in their volunteer projects, facility and grounds maintenance as well as special events. We provide tools to enhance the charitable sector's capacity to serve, facilitating hands-on volunteerism in the greater Charlotte area. 

The Charlotte ToolBank maintains an 8,000 sq ft warehouse in South End and an inventory comprised of more than 358 different types of tools and special event equipment in volumes large enough to equip thousands of volunteers at a time. Access to ToolBank tools eliminates the need for agencies to incur the expense of purchasing, repairing and storing tools, reducing the costs associated with service projects and allowing these agencies to focus more of their resources on their mission. 

About Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) strives to create an innovative, inclusive, student-centered environment that supports the development of independent learners. CMS leads the community in educational excellence, inspiring intellectual curiosity, creativity and achievement so that all students reach their full potential (C-M Board of Education, 2018). 

CMS is the 16th-largest school district in the nation, providing academic instruction, rigor and support each school day for more than 141,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The district operates 186 schools throughout Mecklenburg County from its central offices in Charlotte, N.C. CMS believes setting high standards for all students creates greater opportunity for their future success in our communities, the region and across the globe. As a result, CMS students are prepared to be leaders in a technologically savvy and competitive world. 

• Central Piedmont sets a new enrollment record with 33,000 students for Spring 2025 
• Programs aligned with local workforce needs are helping students transition directly into careers 
• Employers praise the college's graduates for being prepared, professional, and job-ready 

Central Piedmont Community College has officially enrolled 33,000 students for the spring 2025 term, setting a new institutional record and marking the tenth consecutive semester of enrollment growth. This milestone, up from 31,741 in fall 2024, reflects the growing demand for accessible, career-focused education that meets the needs of students and the regional economy.

"This is a proud moment for our entire community," said Amy Bruining, vice president of student affairs. "Enrolling 33,000 students is more than a number it represents trust, relevance, and a shared belief that education should lead somewhere. Our students come here with a purpose, and we are committed to helping them reach it."

Central Piedmont offers more than 300 degree, diploma, and certificate programs aligned with high-demand fields such as nursing, skilled trades including construction and sustainable technology, information technology, and artificial intelligence. Each program is designed with input from local industry partners to ensure graduates are job-ready and prepared for real-world careers.

To help students stay on track, the college recently introduced multi-term registration. This allows students to register for an entire academic year at one time, reducing stress and helping them plan ahead. Students can currently enroll in summer 2025, fall 2025 and spring 2026 courses. Central Piedmont also offers various support services including academic advising, career coaching, and hands-on learning environments tailored to students' goals.

Affordability remains a key priority. The college provides nearly $4 million in scholarships each year, along with tuition payment plans that require no interest, fees, or credit checks. These tools remove financial barriers and open doors to education for a diverse and growing student body. During the 2024-2025 academic year, more than 2,000 students received scholarships, and over 6,000 students took advantage of payment plan options.

Naidelyn Cruz, a dental assisting student graduating this summer, credits Central Piedmont with preparing her to enter the profession.

"My experience at Central Piedmont has been the most rewarding education I've ever had," Cruz said. "The instructors went above and beyond to ensure we learned the material and could apply it in real-world settings. The hands-on lab felt like a real dental office, and my externship helped me build my confidence. I was recently offered a position at the dental practice where I trained."

That practice is Dentistry of the Carolinas, a long-time employer partner of the college.

"For nearly a decade, Dentistry of the Carolinas has partnered with Central Piedmont, and it continues to be one of our most valuable relationships," said Tyler Hammock, director of human resources for Dentistry of the Carolinas. "The program produces well-trained graduates ready to thrive in a real dental office. We have been fortunate to hire many of these students who come to us prepared, professional, and eager to make a difference. The combination of strong instruction and hands-on experience makes them a valuable asset to our team."

From high school students earning tuition-free college credit to adults reentering the workforce or making a career change, Central Piedmont serves learners at every stage of life. Graduates strengthen the local workforce, contribute to economic mobility, and help the Charlotte region grow.

With enrollment continuing to rise and strong interest in upcoming terms, Central Piedmont remains focused on expanding access and delivering high-value education that transforms lives and drives the region forward.

For more information about enrollment, scholarships, or academic programs, visit cpcc.edu.