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Community members fired up over CPCC international program cuts

By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com
By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Central Piedmont Community College is regarded as one of the best community colleges in the state.

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About 2,500 international students are enrolled at the school and members of Charlotte’s international community are upset because prominent cultural programs and positions are being eliminated.

The changes came after CPCC started a new restructuring effort.

Eliminated positions and programs:

  • The international community liaison
  • The dean of global engagement position
  • "Dances of India"
  • "Charlotte: A City of International Success"

The four cuts may not seem like a lot, but one of the programs has been around for nearly two decades and another is a prominent TV show for the international community.

CPCC spokesperson Jeff Lowrance said the TV show was cut due to "a lack of viewers."

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Carmen Hilton, a longtime leader in Charlotte's international community, is worried that CPCC is going backward by not prioritizing global education programs.

“I was astonished. I couldn't believe it,” said Hilton.

In a statement sent to Channel 9, CPCC said restructuring is being done "in an effort to focus more energy and resources toward helping more students persist and complete their programs of study."

School officials also said, "The college has decided to sunset some endeavors not tied directly to student success."

Former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts said the programs and positions that were eliminated did lead to student success.

Charlotte has more than 1000 foreign-owned companies, and Roberts said it's critical that students become globally engaged citizens.

“When there is a program cut like that, I am concerned for Charlotte because we are so international --anything that is taken away from that is one more thing that doesn't help us achieve our full potential,” said Roberts.

Charlotte resident Janet Haack was interviewed on the show about her time living outside the U.S.

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She told Channel 9’s Joe Bruno the TV show offered a deeper look at issues outside the Charlotte bubble.

“If you take away the ability for people to be educated in international affairs, I don't know how else they will learn,” said Haack.

In a growing city like Charlotte, Roberts said investment in international positions and experiences is critical.

"I hope when the community learns these things are gone that they will let folks know, the board of trustees, etc., that these things are valuable,” said Roberts.

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