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SANFORD, N.C. — In a former biology classroom now lined with toys, a young child in �ڰ�������’s child care program balanced a block on his face  — earning a grin from Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt.

The lieutenant governor toured �ڰ�������’s child care services and other programs during a recent visit to the college. She has made tackling North Carolina's child care and early childhood education crisis a centerpiece of her agenda, alongside championing community colleges as engines of workforce development. 

As part of her Future-Ready North Carolina Plan, Lt. Gov. Hunt is visiting all 58 community colleges across the state to connect with students and educators and highlight programs preparing a skilled workforce for today’s economy.

“North Carolina’s future is bright but we have to make sure our people are trained and capable to take on the innovative and exciting new jobs coming to our state,” said Lt. Governor Hunt.

At �ڰ�������, Lt. Gov. Hunt learned firsthand how the college’s Education Department is addressing the child care crisis on two fronts: training future childcare workers while simultaneously offering free morning and evening child care on its Lee Main Campus for students during their classes. 

The lieutenant governor has been calling on the state to provide sustained funding for childcare programs like �ڰ�������’s and incentives to expand that model to all 58 community colleges. She is also championing Propel NC, a proposed new model for community college funding that would increase investment in training for health care and other high-demand fields. 

At �ڰ�������, she got to tour some of the college’s health care career preparation programs, learning how dental hygiene students provide free cleanings and x-rays to the public, building clinical experience while increasing access to care. 

Likewise, she saw how �ڰ�������’s Veterinary Medical Technology students benefit from a unique program model that provides them with hands-on experience. Pets come to live at �ڰ�������’s campus animal rescue from local shelters in the area and receive vaccines, checkups, and other care from veterinarians and the vet med tech students in the program. 

“Everybody is up for adoption,” said Tara Gillis, �ڰ�������’s Animal Facilities Manager, who described the program as the lieutenant governor petted a sweet pup named Kashi. 

Lt. Gov. Hunt’s tour began and ended at �ڰ�������’s E. Eugene Moore Manufacturing and Biotech Solutions Center, where she learned about the progress �ڰ������� is making to renovate the facility to educate the next generation of advanced manufacturing and biotech talent, bolster industry, and catalyze economic growth in the area. 

“When our students come to us, we are the best choice for them,” �ڰ������� President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman told Lt. Gov Hunt. “We’re focused on the learning that really addresses the needs of our community.”