Stanly Community College (SCC) earned a spot among the finalists for the 2024 Bellwether Award, a recognition presented by the Bellwether College Consortium.

Out of 30 community colleges nationwide, SCC stood out for its student advising model, as revealed during the 30th Annual Community College Futures Assembly in San Antonio, Texas, from Feb. 25-27.

This nationally recognized award identifies and honors outstanding and innovative community college programs in three categories: instructional programs and services, workforce development, and planning, governance and finance.

In the Planning, Governance, and Finance category, recognizing programs that enhance college efficiency and effectiveness, SCC shared the spotlight with other finalists from across the nation, including:

• Bellingham Technical College (WA);

• Lone Star College (TX);

• Western Dakota Technical College (SD);

• Fletcher Technical Community College (LA);

• Northeast Texas Community College (TX);

• Hudson County Community Colleges (NJ);

• Norco College (CA);

• Southwest Tennessee Community College (TN);

• Lakeshore Technical College (WI).

“The ingenuity and innovation demonstrated by these community colleges make them shining examples of the
solutions-focused culture prevalent in these organizations,” said Rose Martinez, Ph.D., director for the Bellwether College Consortium.

College teams conducted presentations to a jury of anonymous judges and fellow community college practitioners and CEOs and showcased how they have significantly addressed critical issues impacting community colleges.