Western Piedmont Community College

Western Piedmont Community College is a state-controlled institution of higher learning located in Morganton, North Carolina, that serves Burke County and the broader Appalachian region. The college provides federal government services primarily through educational grant programs focused on workforce development, career and technical education, student support services, and community capacity building. As a recipient of multiple federal grants, Western Piedmont Community College delivers comprehensive educational programs designed to address regional economic challenges, support disadvantaged student populations, and strengthen the skilled workforce in rural Appalachia.

The college has demonstrated substantial experience administering federal grants across multiple program areas and funding agencies. Primary grant funding has come from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education. Through ARC support, Western Piedmont Community College has funded career and technical education initiatives totaling at least $300,000 (awarded January 2026 for the 2026-2027 period) with a focus on entrepreneurial development, workforce training, and community capacity building in the Appalachian region. The college has received substantial Department of Education funding through multiple TRIO programs, including the Student Support Services Program ($272,364 awarded September 2025), which serves 140 low-income, first-generation, and disabled students; the Talent Search Program (awarded September 2021), which reaches 656 students across nine middle and high schools in Burke County; and the Project Connect initiative (awarded October 2023), which addresses student retention and completion gaps among underrepresented populations. Additionally, the college received $581,083 in pandemic relief funding through the Education Stabilization Fund in 2021 to support student financial aid and reengagement. As a sub-grantee, Western Piedmont Community College participates in partnerships with Appalachian State University on the On Ramp Appalachia and GEAR UP programs, serving rural students through comprehensive college and career readiness initiatives, and works with the North Carolina Community College System Office on workforce development programs including criminal offender reentry education, English language and integrated civics education (IELCE), and innovative practices promotion initiatives.