Kandi Deitemeyer, President, Central Piedmont Community College

Invest: spoke with Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont Community College, about key partnerships, affordability and student success, and supporting the regional economy. “As Charlotte continues to evolve, our responsibility is to ensure that growth is accompanied by pathways to economic opportunity for the people who call this region home,” Deitemeyer said.

How has Central Piedmont Community College evolved over the past year, and what developments have had the greatest impact on the institution?

Over the past year, Central Piedmont has continued to strengthen its role as both an education provider and an economic development partner for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region. Today, we serve nearly 60,000 students annually – and we are seeing strong enrollment growth that reflects the increasing demand for affordable, high-quality education that leads directly to career opportunities.

One of the most significant developments has been our continued expansion of workforce-aligned programs and partnerships. We are working closely with employers in healthcare, information technology, skilled trades, transportation, aviation, and advanced manufacturing to ensure our students are developing the skills employers need today and in the future. Recently announced partnerships with PSA Airlines and HSP US illustrate how Central Piedmont is collaborating with business partners to provide hands-on training and industry experience for students to prepare them for in-demand careers while strengthening the region’s talent pipeline. 

We’ve also expanded opportunities for students through new transfer partnerships with schools like the University of North Carolina Asheville and Appalachian State University to create clearer and more affordable pathways to four-year degrees. These represent two of more than 40 partnerships that open more doors for our students. Our intentional efforts to establish these transfer agreements are helping more students earn credentials, enter high-demand careers, and contribute to the economic vitality of our region.

As Charlotte continues to grow as a business hub, how is Central Piedmont’s role in supporting the regional economy and workforce evolving?

Charlotte’s growth presents tremendous opportunity, but it also creates an increasing need for skilled talent. In many cases, our collective ability to meet this opportunity is underpinned by Central Piedmont’s role in serving as the workforce development engine of this region. We prepare thousands of learners each year for careers that are essential to our economy – and our value proposition is often a key reason cited by companies who ultimately end up relocating to this area. 

What makes our role unique is our ability to respond quickly to workforce demands. We work side-by-side with employers, industry groups, business associations and community leaders to understand emerging talent trends and adjust programs accordingly. Whether we’re preparing nurses, electricians, engineers or cybersecurity professionals, our focus remains the same: creating opportunities for students while providing employers with the talent they need to grow. A tangible example – our Work-It Wednesday program provides students the chance to network with employers located right here in the Charlotte area, meet with their leaders and recruiters, and learn more about the careers they offer.

As Charlotte continues to evolve, our responsibility is to ensure that growth is accompanied by pathways to economic opportunity for the people who call this region home.

How are partnerships with employers, universities, and community organizations helping create stronger pathways from education to employment?

Partnerships are at the heart of everything we do. We collaborate intentionally with employers, universities, and community organizations to create seamless pathways from education to career.

Our employer partners help shape curriculum, identify skill needs, provide internships and apprenticeships, and create opportunities for students to gain real-world experience before graduation. Those experiences are invaluable because they allow students to apply classroom learning while building professional networks. We have more than 250 work-based learning programs and continue to increase our apprenticeship opportunities – all in an effort to ensure our students see first-hand the work that they will do on the job. 

We also continue to strengthen university transfer opportunities. As I mentioned earlier, Central Piedmont has 20 guaranteed admission agreements and over 40 transfer pathways that allow students to continue their education in an affordable and efficient way.

Equally important are the community partners who help remove barriers to success through scholarships, food assistance, mentoring and other support services. Together, these partnerships create a stronger ecosystem that helps students not only enroll but thrive. At the end of the day, we aim to provide wraparound resources for our students to keep them on track to achieve their goals.

As we look ahead, I’m eager to hear from new partners – maybe those who have yet to engage with Central Piedmont. We stand ready to expand our work with employers and organizations in the area and find solutions that meet their needs. 

As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies transform the workplace, how is Central Piedmont preparing students with the skills they will need for the future?

Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are changing nearly every industry and we integrate that learning into the programs we offer. Recognizing the importance of AI literacy, we were one of the first community colleges in North Carolina to launch an AI associate-degree program.  

Beyond the degree, we are incorporating AI-related learning and technology literacy into programs across the college while maintaining a strong focus on the uniquely human skills that technology cannot replace: critical thinking, communication, adaptability, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Our goal is to help students become lifelong learners who can continue evolving as industries change. The careers our students enter today will look different five or ten years from now. By combining technical expertise with professional skills, we are helping learners stay competitive and adaptable throughout their careers.

How are changing views around affordability, career outcomes, and alternative education pathways shaping the future role of community colleges?

I’ve been in the higher education business – and specifically with community colleges – for more than 30 years. Over those three-plus decades, I’m proud to say: the narrative around community colleges has shifted – and there are some key reasons behind that change. 

Students and families are increasingly focused on value, affordability, and return on investment, and community colleges are uniquely positioned to meet those expectations.

Our focus has, and continues to be, meeting students where they are and helping them achieve their goals. We believe talent is everywhere, and our responsibility is to create accessible pathways that help individuals turn that talent into opportunity. For some students, that means earning a degree and transferring to a university. For others, it means completing a credential, learning a new skill, or advancing within their current career. And there’s a payoff for that. In fact, our recent economic impact study showed that Central Piedmont students gain $5.20 in higher lifetime earnings for every $1 invested in their education. I think most people would say: that’s an investment worth making. 

But we won’t rest on our laurels. We recognize we must continue to lead boldly – remaining forward thinking and prepared for what’s ahead. The future of higher education will require greater flexibility, more employer alignment, and multiple entry and exit points throughout a learner’s journey. This means more stackable credentials; it means continuing to increase early exposure to in-demand career fields so high school students have clear pathways to careers; it also means meeting the moment to engage those who might think college isn’t an option. 

Community colleges are particularly well-suited to meet this moment because we can provide affordable education, meaningful workforce credentials and lifelong learning opportunities under one roof.

What investments or initiatives will be most important in expanding access, improving student success, and supporting continued growth at Central Piedmont?

Our strategic priorities center on empowering students, and that starts with ensuring they have the support they need to succeed.

We continue to invest in initiatives that improve retention, completion, transfer success and career outcomes. Financial assistance remains a critical part of that work. During the 2025-26 academic year, we provided $5 million in scholarship support to help students stay enrolled and complete their programs. We’ve also invested in and opened a Wellness Center on our campuses. This center is dedicated to supporting students in managing stress, boosting well-being, thriving in every aspect of campus life – and it connects them to community resources such as food banks, housing and more. 

We’re also expanding access to transformative student services – such as global learning experiences, a fairly-new Honors program, industry speakers at our campuses, immersive leaning opportunities at employer locations, and mentoring and coaching programs. We’re also investing in modern facilities and learning environments that support hands-on, simulated training in fields where practical experience is essential. By designing facilities in partnership with employers and increasing capacity across Mecklenburg County, Central Piedmont can better meet workforce needs while creating stronger pathways to opportunity for students.

These investments ultimately help more students complete credentials, achieve economic opportunity, and contribute to the success of our community.

Looking ahead, what are your top priorities for Central Piedmont over the next few years, and what impact do you hope the college will have on the Charlotte region?

Our priorities are clear: empower students, activate partnerships, cultivate a workplace where our employees thrive, and steward the college’s resources in ways that position us for the future.

Success means helping more students earn credentials, transfer successfully, enter meaningful careers, and improve their quality of life. It also means continuing to deepen partnerships with employers and community leaders so that Central Piedmont remains responsive to the region’s evolving workforce needs.

While we are accelerating that work in many areas, I’d highlight two specific areas: skilled trades and public safety. 

In skilled trades – we are actively expanding facilities, programming and options to meet the need for more talent in the trades. As part of that effort, we are partnering with companies like Lowe’s and Duke Energy to create more mobile learning opportunities – bringing our learning directly to those interested in the field, as well as a new lineworker training facility at our Harper Campus. In both cases, we heard the critical need for more highly-trained talent in these fields and responded quickly. 

On public safety – as Charlotte grows and more people move here every day, so do our public safety needs in the community. Central Piedmont is building a new comprehensive public safety training facility, known as the Community Lifeline Initiative, to provide a state-of-the-art space for cross-agency training across fire, emergency medical services, and law enforcement. In partnering with these agencies to understand their training needs, we are developing not only physical spaces but also the associated programming, including simulated learning environments, that will help train our first responders today and into the future as they work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. 

Ultimately, we aspire to be recognized not only as an excellent college, but as a catalyst for transformation and a national model for how community colleges can change lives, strengthen communities, and fuel economic growth. When our students succeed, businesses gain access to skilled talent, families achieve greater economic stability, and the entire region benefits.