GOLDSBORO, N.C. – Wayne Community College has been named a finalist selected to compete for the Bellwether Award, a nationally recognized award that honors outstanding and innovative programs in U.S. community colleges.
WCC is being considered for its role in implementing the Southeastern Education and Economic Development (SEED) initiative, a summer pre-apprenticeship program that builds a direct pipeline from high school to college-level training and registered apprenticeships.
SEED offers participants a paid education and career exploration with the chance to gain hands-on experience, tour businesses and industries, and receive college credit through classroom instruction. WCC hosted advanced manufacturing and agriculture academies in the summer of 2025, its second year of providing SEED programs on campus.
The College has been selected as one of 10 Bellwether finalists in the Planning, Governance, and Finance category. This category celebrates innovative approaches in college planning, management, and resource optimization.
Other award categories include Instructional Programs and Services and Workforce Development.
The competition is presented by the Bellwether College Consortium, sponsored by the Alamo Colleges District in San Antonio, Texas.
The 30 Bellwether finalists will give a formal presentation at the Community College Futures Assembly held in San Antonio in February 2026, and three Bellwether Award winners will be selected.
