NC3MI Program Expands with a Dynamic 2025 Cohort
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural cohort, the North Carolina Community College Master Instructor (NC3MI) Certification Program has doubled in size for 2025—demonstrating a growing commitment across the state to elevate teaching excellence and student success.
The 2024 NC3MI cohort, consisting of 23 instructors from 16 community colleges, set a high standard, showcasing innovative instructional practices and a dedication to student engagement. Through collaborative learning and rigorous professional development, these faculty members enhanced their teaching strategies to align with best practices in active learning and workforce preparation. Their achievements paved the way for a new wave of educators eager to carry this momentum forward.
Now, with 42 instructors representing 23 North Carolina community colleges, the 2025 NC3MI cohort kicked off their journey with an in-person session at Randolph Community College’s Allied Health Science Building. This dynamic launch set the stage for months of immersive learning and professional growth.
During the kickoff, faculty engaged in discussions on the importance of relational capacity in the classroom—a foundational element of student success. The session emphasized that getting to know students beyond the classroom is key to fostering persistence and resilience. Faculty explored research-backed strategies that build meaningful connections with students, ensuring that instructional approaches are not only engaging but also deeply impactful.
Over the next four months, NC3MI participants will embark on an intensive learning experience, implementing strategies designed to increase student success. Through hands-on application, peer collaboration, and reflective practice, these educators will demonstrate their mastery in professional development, student learning, and collaborative leadership—hallmarks of the NC3MI certification.
As this exceptional group of faculty moves forward, their work will contribute to a statewide culture of innovation in teaching and learning, ensuring that North Carolina’s community college students receive the highest quality education to prepare them for future careers.
The application process for the 2026 NC3MI cohort will begin in October 2025.
Stay tuned as the 2025 NC3MI cohort progresses through this transformative journey.
| First Name | Last Name | College |
| Eddy | Van Hunnik | Alamance CC |
| Justin | Rose | Beaufort County CC |
| Laura | Tinney | Blue Ridge CC |
| Brooke | Elder | CCTI |
| Andrew | Capps | CCTI |
| Martin | Hubner | CCTI |
| Kim | Ray | Catawba Valley CC |
| Hope | Carroll | Catawba Valley CC |
| Ramie | Robinson | Catawba Valley CC |
| Jessica | Brown | Central Carolina CC |
| Andrew | Ross | Central Piedmont CC |
| Patricia | Hill-Miller | Central Piedmont CC |
| Kari | Case | Central Piedmont CC |
| Nathan | Godsey | Central Piedmont CC |
| Danielle | Hensley | Central Piedmont CC |
| Benjamin | Burgess | Cleveland CC |
| Jennifer | Brown | Cleveland CC |
| Susan | Randall | Cleveland CC |
| Laura | Price | Durham Technical CC |
| Adam | Culbertson | Edgecombe CC |
| Kerri | Donohue | Fayetteville Tech |
| Jennifer | Osborn | Fayetteville Tech |
| Marlena | Thomas | Gaston College |
| Melody | Gibson | Gaston College |
| Samuel | Grubbs | Gaston College |
| Angie | Rudd | Gaston College |
| Juan | Bobadilla | Johnston CC |
| Christy | Culbreth | Lenoir CC |
| Elizabeth | Dellinger | Mayland CC |
| John | Palinkas | Mitchell CC |
| Stacey | Russell | Pamlico CC |
| Terri | Fesmire | Pamlico CC |
| Britt | Honeycutt | Sampson CC |
| Marissa | Cominotti | South Piedmont CC |
| Stephanie | Slade | South Piedmont CC |
| Marian | Dillahunt | Vance Granville CC |
| Hollie | Garrett | Vance Granville CC |
| Meghan | McIntyre | Wake Technical CC |
| Mary | Staton | Wake Technical CC |
| Tammy | Griffin-Garcia | Wilkes CC |
| Victoria | Johnson | Wilkes CC |
| Courtney | Calhoun | Wilson CC |
