David Bullins

The event was a commencement ceremony for the Class of 2016, featuring remarks from a Board of Trustees member and a guest speaker, Mick Mixon. Key discussions during the address included achieving sustainable wealth by merging vocation and advocation, exercising caution regarding social media posts, the importance of oral hygiene, leaving the 'nest' upon graduation, finding a mentor, questioning everything, treating women with respect, maintaining a sense of humor in relationships, dressing for the aspired job, avoiding excessive use of filler words like 'like' and 'and stuff like', and expressing timely gratitude to supporters.

The event served as an annual awards convocation to honor and celebrate student achievements both in and outside the classroom. Key segments included welcoming remarks from the Vice President for Student Services, who apologized for the absence of Dr. Tim Brewer, and an introduction to Randy Leadford, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness, to guide the recognition process. A special presentation was made by Andrea Johnson from the SECU Foundation, awarding People Helping People Scholarships. Numerous departmental and program-specific awards were presented recognizing excellence in areas such as work study, library service, student leadership, academics (Business, Culinary Arts, Digital Art, History), and early college programs, highlighting student dedication, high GPAs, leadership roles, and community service.

Mitchell Community College's strategic plan serves as a roadmap for economic development in Iredell County, focusing on equipping students with transferable skills for success. Its core pillars are Teaching and Learning, Achieving Economic Mobility, and Thriving Partnerships, underpinned by a commitment to operational excellence, diversity, equity, and belonging. Key objectives include enhancing student enrollment, retention, and completion; attracting and retaining diverse human and technological resources; designing educational pathways for social and economic mobility; reducing student barriers; and fostering community engagement and outreach.