Bobcat Chat

Are you curious about HCC's Construction Technology program? With the CORE class available and more now on the radar such as CAD, in this podcast you will learn more about all of the latest and greatest classes HCC has to offer! Our expert shares not only what's available but the delivery methods to work within your busy schedule and the benefits of the program to enhance or build your career.

We chatted with the Student Life team to get the inside scoop on the exciting events and ways to get involved this Spring semester. Have a listen to see what sounds like a fun time to you and we'll plan on seeing you there. If you miss any details, don't worry, you can always visit the Student Life web page or our social media accounts for the exact times and locations.

As we start 2026, we had a chat with HCC's President, Dr. Shelley White. She shares her reflections on 2025 and what's in store for this new year. Have a listen to the impact HCC has made on the community and students directly from the President!

All about Learning Support ServicesWhat is LSS exactly? Let's find out in this Bobcat Chat episode!We sat down with Dr. Phillip Hamm, Director of Learning Support Services to learn more about how he and his team can support students throughout the semester.LSS can help with anything from essay review to tutoring and even provide guidance on soft skills like great study tips and how to manage your time to balance your class load with your job, family, and everyday life.Have a listen to this chat to take a deep dive into the LSS world and get a comfort level when you need to reach out to the team.

In this episode, we chat with Hylah Birenbaum, Executive Director of the HCC Foundation about the upcoming year of events to celebrate and recognize HCC's 60 Years of Impact.Haywood Community College is celebrating 60 years of impact in Haywood County in the 2025-2026 academic year. To acknowledge this milestone, HCC will host a special event and conduct various recognitions throughout the year.The kick-off celebration event will occur on Thursday, September 18, from 2:00-5:00pm in the Hemlock building on campus. This event will feature presentations recognizing our past and looking forward, a viewing of college artifacts and treasured images, the 60 Years of Impact video premiere, light refreshments, and the unveiling of the Art Trail. The Campus Development team has installed beautiful banners on campus and is working towards a momentous goal of planting 60 trees or plants during the academic year. Plantings have already begun, beautifying campus and providing additional educational opportunities for students.

In this chat, we talked with Elan from the Student Life team. She shares the upcoming calendar of events with us and all the amazing things students have to look forward to this semester. From some tried-and-true favorites to a few new things in store, there is always a reason to get out and involved at HCC!

April is Community College Month! As we wrap up the month, we sat down with one of our instructors and alum to chat about the meaning of being part of the community college system and mission.

Haywood Community College is excited to bring back the Car Show to campus in Clyde, NC! Join us on Saturday, April 26 from 9am - 1pm for a fantastic event featuring vehicles of all varieties, food trucks, and more! Danielle Harris is featured in this podcast episode. She is HCC's Director of Enrollment Management, a car enthusiast, and an integral part of the Car Show planning committee. Have a listen about her car passions and the event itself. See you out there!

Join members of the college and community for a unique conference for Western North Carolina. The WNC Environmental Summit will be held on Friday, March 21 from9-2 on the main campus featuring a variety of presentations, panels, and youth activities. We hope to see you at the event where you can interact with like-minded attendees, presenters, and amazing student showcases.

Innovate for Impact, a Tools and Technology fundraiser, will be held on Thursday, March 13. This gala will support student financial needs in various programs for items such as computers, books, and specialty tools needed for their course and as they enter the workforce.This elegant evening will feature displays and demonstrations from each program area. Ticket price includes heavy appetizers, buffet dinner, beverages, cash bar, live music, and a silent auction.

In this episode of Bobcat Chat, we spoke with Nick Cerda, one of our Success Coaches who has been an integral part in HCC’s adult learner outreach. We’ll chat about resources available to students and how our team can help students overcome barriers they may face.

Spring is a great time for events to kick off the new calendar year and semester at HCC! The Student Life team has a slate of events that can’t be missed. From re-scheduled kickball to a new bingo event, there is something for everyone planned. The team has also created recurring events to keep you engaged throughout the semester like Donuts and Democracy and Wellness Wednesdays. Be sure to have a listen to this podcast for more details about the fun we have planned for you! And as always – you can visit our website or follow our social channels to stay up to date on events throughout the semester. See you out there Bobcats!

HCC is planning to return to Mexico for an amazing study abroad experience! Led by two experienced instructors, this is a once in a lifetime trip combining cultural experiences with learning. Join us as we sit down with Chris and Jeremy to learn more about the experiences and some of the details so you can prepare for this amazing experience in April 2025.

Haywood Community College, in partnership with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are hosting an event on the campus of Haywood Community College to celebrate our national conservation heritage. Now in its 51st year, this nationally recognized day is the largest and most effective grassroots movement ever undertaken to promote outdoor sports and conservation.This year, HCC and the North Carolina Wildlife Commission are coordinating a large, free, event which also includes the annual youth fishing tournament hosted by the Warrior Clan local group at the HCC millpond.

It’s back to school time and we are excited to welcome students to campus! We sat down with Elan Richards to get a good overview of the events planned for this fall for our students. Whether you’re an active participant or just want to meet up with your friends and classmates, we encourage you to join any or all of the activities planned for the fall semester.In this episode we chatted about SGA meetings, Wellness Wednesdays, and a new event – gingerbread house decorating. Of course, some of the favorites are back such as trivia and the infamous students versus employees kickball tournament. We are also excited to bring back Elan’s favorite event, the Halloween costume contest. Don’t miss out on all of these amazing events this semester to take a break from your hard work and hopefully meet some new friends. See you out there bobcats!

Through the NextNC Scholarship, eligible North Carolinians attending a community college will receive at least $3,000. We sat down with members of our Financial Aid team to learn more about this scholarship award that is easy to understand and makes education more affordable for qualifying students.

The HCC Foundation will be hosting a charity disc golf tournament on June 13th. Discs in the Dogwoods will bring the flavor of a golf outing to campus featuring disc golfers. Teams of four will play the course and be greeted by various sponsors with some swag and great information. With two tee times and prizes available, this is an event you don’t want to miss. Entry fees include playing the course, lunch, and the support of the Haywood Strong scholarship which benefits former millworkers and their families looking to further their education at HCC.

Celebrating Community College Month in April, this chat features a talk with two of our employees, that are usually behind the scenes with Bobcat Chat, about how community college supported their higher educational goals and career paths.

The Millpond Mosaic is a publication featuring the amazing artistic work of HCC’s students. Submissions can fall into a variety of categories which include essay, short story, poems, original artwork, and photography. Have a listen to this chat with two students who have already been part of this unique piece. They share with us why it’s ok to take a chance and are encouraging to others who might be considering taking the leap to share a creative side for all to see and enjoy.

HCC is excited to bring a special environmental summit to campus in March 2024.This summit is a way to bring the community together and will share a message of hope, equity, and action. The summit will feature keynote and breakout sessions all surrounding important environmental topics such as water resources, sustainable gardens, wildlife and MUCH more. This free event is open to adults and youth and will be held on Saturday, March 23rd.