Spotlight On: Jami Woods, President, Wilson Community College

Key points:

• • Wilson Community College is simplifying the path from education to employment.
• • AI, workforce training, and employer partnerships are shaping the college’s future.
• • Student access and career readiness remain at the center of its growth.

August 2026 — Invest: spoke with Jami Woods, president of Wilson Community College, about Wilson’s one-college model, workforce development, AI adoption, and student success. Woods discussed how the college is aligning its programs with regional employers while expanding access to education. “As we grow, we need to keep two things tightly coupled: access and success,” Woods said.

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What changes over the past year impacted Wilson Community College, and in what ways?

Internally, it continues to be a transitional time. During my first three years, we reorganized into a one-college model. The idea is that students should not be encumbered by our jargon. They should be able to come through one central point, talk about what they want to do, and be guided to the credential that fits their goals, whether that is short-term training, a two-year degree, or transfer.

The bigger challenge has been helping employees adapt. It is much more than relocating offices. It requires professional development so people can support students across the full range of programs instead of working in silos. Execution is where organizations struggle, and we are still working through that process.

How are you adapting your priorities to meet the changing workforce needs of the region?

Our biggest opportunity is the BEST Center, our Biomanufacturing Education and & Skills Training Center. Although Wilson Community College operates it, the center is regional in scope, bringing together community colleges, universities, and industry partners.

The goal is to provide life sciences education and customized business and industry training designed by industry for industry. Working with partners such as Barton College allows us to support learners from short-term credentials through post-baccalaureate education. The center is scheduled to open in April 2027, and I believe it will have a tremendous long-term impact.

Beyond that, our priority is remaining responsive. Programs should be offered in multiple formats based on employer demand, and we need authentic relationships with business and industry. Rather than relying only on annual advisory meetings, employers should know they can call us whenever they need talent or training. That ongoing relationship is much more effective.

How is Wilson Community College incorporating emerging technologies into its curriculum and operations?

We launched a campuswide AI initiative after leadership from our system office helped introduce the topic. We pair AI with soft skills because we believe graduates need both. Students should understand AI, use it ethically, recognize its risks and opportunities, and combine those skills with strong communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.

We paused the initiative briefly while focusing on our one-college model, but we are re-energizing it. We are partnering with Wayne Community College, which is further along in developing AI programs, to provide our students with an opportunity to complete an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in AI.

Faculty also use a red, yellow, and green framework for AI use in assignments. Green means students may use AI freely, yellow allows limited use, and red requires students to rely on their own analysis and writing.

We also have a staff committee exploring how AI can improve efficiency in daily operations. We encourage people to use AI as a starting point while continuing to develop their own voice and judgment. Those are the same lessons we want our students to learn.

What initiatives are in place to ensure that more students can access and complete a college education?

Accessibility and affordability are at the heart of the community college mission. Even with a relatively low cost, many students are balancing work, family responsibilities, and other financial pressures.

We continue expanding scholarships through generous donors and partnerships with employers that fund students’ education in exchange for graduates entering their workforce.

Another priority is apprenticeships. We are working to strengthen that area by hiring dedicated leadership to help employers establish apprenticeship programs. Registered apprenticeships can reduce tuition costs for students while allowing employers to develop future employees. We are always looking for additional ways to reduce financial barriers because our students often manage far more than coursework alone.

What are your key goals and priorities for the college over the next two to three years?

Our first priority is launching the BEST Center successfully, with full classes, responsive training, and employers telling us we are preparing the workforce they need.

We also want to continue growing enrollment while maintaining quality. Enrollment has been increasing, and we are evaluating realistic stretch goals for future growth. As we grow, we need to keep two things tightly coupled: access and success. We want employers to know that a Wilson Community College graduate will arrive prepared and ready to contribute from day one.

We also plan to expand our health sciences programs and continue growing our relatively new agriculture program. Agriculture is vital to Wilson County, and the farming community is aging. We have an obligation to prepare the next generation of farmers, who will need sophisticated knowledge of crop management and modern agricultural technology.

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