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Durham Tech has announced the hiring of Jerry Jones, former Director of Career Services and Workforce Development at Pitt Community College, who will lead the College’s Center for Workforce Engagement.
Jones will lead a Center focused on providing high-quality customized training, small business support, and apprenticeship, internship and other work-based learning experiences for students. The Center is tasked also with ensuring strong relationships between the College and employers, county economic development leadership, and economic and workforce development organizations.
Jones received his Master of Science in Managerial Leadership and Bachelor of Science in Management from National-Louis University in Virginia. He started his career in engineering and telecommunications and worked in the advanced manufacturing sector before joining Pitt Community College. At Pitt, he led the College’s work on customized training and career services, developed apprenticeships, and managed relationships with companies in the utilities, advanced manufacturing and life sciences sectors, among others.
He joins Durham Tech at a time of major regional growth and employment opportunities in life sciences, IT, skilled trades, advanced manufacturing and health care. The College has made commitments to meet the workforce needs in these areas and to support the economic and social mobility of Durham and Orange County residents.
The Small Business Center at Durham Technical Community College will host the BLK BIZ SUMMIT on August 26 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Chesterfield location. The event is free and open to the public.
Small Business facilitator Chisa Pennix-Brown will host the summit. The one-day event will focus on developing and understanding effective marketing strategies, using online tools to build sustainable and profitable businesses, financial guidance and mentorship, and product development.
Small Business facilitator Chisa Pennix-Brown will host the summit. The one-day event will focus on developing and understanding effective marketing strategies, using online tools to build sustainable and profitable businesses, financial guidance and mentorship, and product development.
In the 1980s, electronics, microelectronics, robotics, and technology began to boom in Durham and the Research Triangle Park.
Leadership at Durham Technical Institute wanted the College to provide the necessary training for those career fields.
On May 18, 1983, the state board of community colleges approved funding for the development of a microelectronics technology program. This funding allowed Durham Tech to become one of the first two-year colleges in North Carolina to provide microelectronics training.
Leadership at Durham Technical Institute wanted the College to provide the necessary training for those career fields.
On May 18, 1983, the state board of community colleges approved funding for the development of a microelectronics technology program. This funding allowed Durham Tech to become one of the first two-year colleges in North Carolina to provide microelectronics training.
Durham Tech student Juan-Pablo Quintanilla Ha began his interest in the Fidelity Scholars program during high school, when a guidance counselor shared information on the program.
“After learning about the Fidelity program from a high school counselor of mine, I researched the program and found I was a fit because of my Latino-Asian descent, but also because of my academic excellence and it helped that I am a go-getter,” said Ha, who was one of the Durham Tech students selected for the program. “I was then all about the program and how it could help me get a college education.”
Ha saw Fidelity’s program as a way to receive money for college, but quickly learned it was much more.
“After learning about the Fidelity program from a high school counselor of mine, I researched the program and found I was a fit because of my Latino-Asian descent, but also because of my academic excellence and it helped that I am a go-getter,” said Ha, who was one of the Durham Tech students selected for the program. “I was then all about the program and how it could help me get a college education.”
Ha saw Fidelity’s program as a way to receive money for college, but quickly learned it was much more.
Durham Technical Community College has surpassed the $100,000 SunTrust Foundation matching challenge to grow the Dr. Phail Wynn, Jr. SunTrust Foundation Scholarship Endowment with significant contributions from community members and college partners.
The bangs and pops and zips of construction equipment seemed to echo off the spanning Durham Tech parking lot on a nearly empty Saturday morning in January.
A miniature house protruded from the asphalt with 12 Durham Tech students clinging to the angles and sides.
In six-hour shifts every Saturday for four semesters, students hammered, nailed, and caulked their way to build a one bedroom tiny home to be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Durham to serve someone in need.
A miniature house protruded from the asphalt with 12 Durham Tech students clinging to the angles and sides.
In six-hour shifts every Saturday for four semesters, students hammered, nailed, and caulked their way to build a one bedroom tiny home to be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Durham to serve someone in need.
Students who ultimately wish to complete a baccalaureate of arts degree in Communication Studies at a four-year college or university would complete the Associate in Arts (AA) degree.
Durham Tech is one of just 32 community colleges designated a 2026 Leader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility.
When the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down college enrollment around the country, Cosmetic Arts programs at Durham Tech flourished – growing more than 300% since 2019.
Maria Steele, Director of Cosmetics Arts at Durham Tech, said it was likely due to a growing interest in entrepreneurship after so many people lost their jobs.
“COVID affected so many large businesses, that people wanted to start working for themselves, and becoming a cosmetologist allows them to specialize in multiple areas and become entrepreneurs,” she said. “You will always be able to make money in this industry because cosmetologists can do anything. You will never be stagnant. You can always reinvent yourself. It's such a versatile field, you can be an independent contractor at different salons and do everything.”
Steele is the driving force behind all Cosmetic Arts programs at the College, including cosmetology, esthetics, and manicuring – an industry that has remained resilient through both a recession and pandemic.
Maria Steele, Director of Cosmetics Arts at Durham Tech, said it was likely due to a growing interest in entrepreneurship after so many people lost their jobs.
“COVID affected so many large businesses, that people wanted to start working for themselves, and becoming a cosmetologist allows them to specialize in multiple areas and become entrepreneurs,” she said. “You will always be able to make money in this industry because cosmetologists can do anything. You will never be stagnant. You can always reinvent yourself. It's such a versatile field, you can be an independent contractor at different salons and do everything.”
Steele is the driving force behind all Cosmetic Arts programs at the College, including cosmetology, esthetics, and manicuring – an industry that has remained resilient through both a recession and pandemic.
Nathaniel B. White Sr. blazed a trail at Durham Tech.
He was the College’s first African-American Board of Trustee member and a founding member of Durham Industrial Education Center. He was appointed by the Durham County Board of Commissioners and served 32 years as a trustee.
He was the College’s first African-American Board of Trustee member and a founding member of Durham Industrial Education Center. He was appointed by the Durham County Board of Commissioners and served 32 years as a trustee.