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Out of dozens of finalists from across the nation, Forsyth Technical Community College is the only community college in North Carolina to receive a 2025 Bellwether Award. Established in 1995, the Bellwether Awards recognize the innovative work of community colleges across the country. Forsyth Tech won in the instructional programs and services category for their College Lift program.
The College Lift program is a seven-year commitment that provides wraparound support services for students, including academic and family support, to ensure that they both make it to college and are prepared for their pursuits in higher education. Since launching, the program has expanded from one middle school to four and now serves nearly 300 students in partnership with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
“At Forsyth Tech, we believe it’s vital to reach students well before they graduate high school. College Lift is about working hand in hand with our partners at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, families, and community partners to break generational cycles by giving students the tools and support they need to succeed in college and beyond. Winning the Bellwether Award underscores the transformative power of this program and the extraordinary commitment of our students, families, and dedicated staff,” said Dr. Janet Spriggs, president of Forsyth Tech, in a press release.
The program was modeled after the Neighborhood Academic Initiative at the University of Southern California. According to the press release, the Neighborhood Academic Initiative has had a 99% matriculation rate for almost 30 years.
EdNC wrote about College Lift and produced the video below as part of our Solution Seekers series in 2020.
Each year, students in the College Lift program dedicate 21 Saturdays to structured instruction in a variety of subjects, including public speaking, creative writing, college readiness, and other core subjects. The students attend 15 of these Saturday sessions with their families so that the families can learn essential skills to help support their child’s journey in education towards college.
“This isn’t just about preparing students for college—it’s about removing the barriers that prevent them from getting there, keeping them there, and ensuring they succeed,” said Ana Damaris Ortiz, director of College Lift. “We are changing the trajectory of families, one student at a time.”
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North Carolina community college finalists
Colleges can receive awards in three categories: instructional programs and services; planning, governance, and finance; and workforce development.
The instructional programs and services category is for colleges that have designed and implemented programs that foster or support teaching and learning at the community college. The planning, governance, and finance category focuses on advancing efficiency and effectiveness at the community college. The workforce development category recognizes colleges that have developed public and/or private strategic alliances and partnerships that promote community and economic development by producing workforce.
Several North Carolina community colleges were finalists for the Bellwether Awards, the most representation of any state. Blue Ridge Community College, Catawba Valley Community College, Isothermal Community College, and Southwestern Community College were finalists in the instructional programs and services category. Stanly Community College was a finalist in the planning, governance, and finance category, and Cleveland Community College was a finalist in the workforce development category.
