North Carolina State University has announced a 10-year, $25 million investment from the John M. Belk Endowment in support of the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research.

Part of NC State’s College of Education, the Belk Center was established in 2018 to develop and sustain exceptional community college leaders committed to equitable college access and student success, the social and economic mobility of students, and the economic competitiveness of their regions. To that end, the center works with community colleges statewide, and in the past year 280 faculty members have taught more than 2,400 courses impacting more than 20,000 students.

The endowment’s founder, John M. Belk, was CEO of the department store company Belk Inc., and served four terms as mayor of Charlotte.

“On behalf of the great 58 community colleges in our state, we extend our very special thanks to the John M. Belk Endowment and the Belk Center for this amazing announcement today and their ongoing support of all that we do,” said Jeff Cox, president of Wilkes Community College and president of the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents. “The work and support you offer all of us is tremendously helpful to ensuring more students are prepared for a lifetime of opportunities and that we are even better positioned to meet North Carolina’s future workforce needs.”

“I can’t help but think back to June 2018, when I had the privilege of announcing the first transformational gift from the John M. Belk Endowment to partner with the College of Education,” said NC State chancellor Randy Woodson. “That gift has allowed us to ensure the ongoing preparation of strong community college leaders who are able to effectively address evolving labor markets and meet the state’s future workforce needs. Today, we get to celebrate again.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/zimmytws)