UNCW 3C Hosts CTP Conference

The UNCW Community College Collaborative (UNCW/3C) held their annual Challenging the Paradigm Conference February 27-28 at the Watson College. The theme of the conference was, “Programming that leads to sustainable jobs and career readiness, understanding neurodiversity and differently abled students, faculty and staff.”

The CTP conference brings together community college faculty and staff, university faculty and staff, and others who are interested in learning, growing, and challenging the paradigm within North Carolina’s community colleges. Sixty-eight higher education leaders from across the state participated in the 2025 conference.

James Stocker, an associate professor of special education at UNCW’s Watson College of Education and Tracy Mancini, president of Carteret Community College, were featured speakers. Dr. Stocker’s address was titled, “Neurodiversity and the Promise of AI.” Dr. Mancini’s presentation was titled, “Creating Pathways to Success for all Students.”

The conference also featured plenary presentations on strategies for working with neurodiverse students, and a presentation on the Transition Works Program at UNCW, designed to equip young adults with disabilities for independent living.

“North Carolina’s community colleges serve a diverse population of students,” said Denise Henning, director of UNCW/3C, coordinator of WCE’s Community College Leadership Certificate program and a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership. “One in five K-12 students in North Carolina’s rural communities are neurodiverse, and the number is one in 11 in North Carolina’s major cities. Many of these students go on to postsecondary studies in community colleges and universities. The 3C Advisory Council thought it was an important theme to focus on this year.”

Henning said the conference was informative and inspirational.

“This year’s Challenging the Paradigm Conference showcased the expertise that we have at Watson College of Education, the North Carolina Community College System Office and five of our community colleges,” she said. “We were provided with much information about neurodiversity and neurodivergence. We also had a presentation on knowing your mental health. Our partnerships with the 58 community colleges are appreciated greatly. They are empowering us through walking shoulder to shoulder to meet the needs of our students, communities and school districts.”

The UNCW/3C Collaborative is a university-community college partnership initiative created to develop strong future leaders for North Carolina’s community colleges and strengthen higher education offerings in the state. The Collaborative supports partnerships and initiatives in three key areas: graduate-level programs for aspiring community college leaders, professional development opportunities for current and aspiring leaders, and programs designed to strengthen college and career pathways for students.