Retreats
New this year, NCCCLP Alumni Group is excited to be hosting a face-to-face alumni retreat this March 2023, and it is open to all NCCCLP Alumni.
Mark your calendars for the Spring 2023 Alumni Retreat! The March 2023 Alumni Retreat will be Thursday March 16th and Friday March 17th. Further information about the Spring 2023 Alumni Retreat will be available here by February 6, 2023.
We are also pleased to announce that we will have a second in-person day together on the morning of graduation on April 28th, 2023! This will be held at the North Campus on Guilford Technical Community College—more details to be provided later.
Spring 2023 Alumni Retreat
Thursday, March 16th & Friday, March 17th
Location: Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, NC
The retreat will begin at 12:30pm on Thursday with a keynote speaker, followed by three 1 hour sessions from 1:30pm – 5:00pm. See below for session details.
Retreat Registration
The Spring 2023 Alumni Retreat Registration is open from now until March 14th, 2023. For all NCCCLP Lifetime Alumni the registration fee is WAIVED. Click here to see if you are a lifetime member, and then register below.
NCCCLP graduates who are not already a Lifetime Alumni member may join by paying the one time $100 Alumni Lifetime Membership Fee. This registration allows graduates to attend the retreat at no cost and all future NCCCLP and OLE professional development activities.
- Please make your payment by mailing a check payable to:
- NCCCLP
- CVCC - Attn: Robin Ross
- 2550 Hwy 70 SE,
- Hickory, NC 28602
All check payments must be received prior to March 14th, 2023. Once you have mailed your check to become a Lifetime Member, please register for the retreat below.
Hotel Information
The following hotels are recommended for the NCCCLAG Spring Alumni Retreat. Please be sure to book your hotel room prior to your arrival to the retreat.
Residence Inn
105 Brucewood Rd
Southern Pines, NC 28387
(910)693-3400
SpringHill Suites
10024 US 15-501
Pinehurst, NC 28374
(910)695-0234
Hampton Inn
200 Columbus Drive
Aberdeen, NC 28315
(910)693-4330
Hilton Garden Inn
155 S Hill Rd
Aberdeen, NC 28315
(910)692-0801
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
155 Partner Circle
Southern Pines, NC 28387
(910)693-2280
Schedule for Spring 2023 Retreat
Thursday, March 16th
12:00 – 12:30 PM Retreat Check In
12:30 – 1:15 PM Keynote Session
Culturally Responsive Leadership: Activating All Assets
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003B (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Natasha Lipscomb, Vice-President of Student Success, Rowan-Cabarrus CC, Certified John Maxwell Trainer, NCCCLP Graduate (pictured below)

1:30 – 2:30 PM Breakout Session I (A & B)
Session I (A): Lessons About Leadership from the Donut Box
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003A (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Gilbert Umberger - Assistant Director, Student Enrichment, Durham Technical CC
Description: Donuts and leadership, what an interesting combination, right? Join me in a conversation as I reflect on what I have learned over 20 years from two of my favorite things.
Session I (B): Leading Your Team Using Radical Candor
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003C (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Dr. James Cook, Associate Vice-President, Center for Teaching and Learning, Forsyth Technical CC
Description: An experience in my life shifted me from being a passive manager who avoided conflict in the workplace to someone who embraced what author Kim Scott refers to as radical candor. This session talks about my leadership journey and how the concept of radical candor frames my core values of self-expression and integrity in my personal and professional life.
2:45 – 3:45 PM Breakout Session II (C & D)
Session II (C): From Burnout to Breakthrough
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003A (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Dr. Christy Holmes, Dean of Arts & STEM, Central Carolina CC
Description: Burnout is real. The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Managing workplace stress has become increasingly more difficult. Even if you are not stuck in the burnout cycle, working closely with someone who is experiencing burnout can drastically affect your mindset as well. This session will address how to begin to break through, recover your energy, and help your team do the same.
Session II (D): Having that Difficult Conversation
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003C (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Suzanne Rohrbaugh, Vice-President for Instructional Services, Randolph CC
Description: Have you struggled to find a way to start that difficult conversation? While we never want to have these conversations, it’s inevitable. Learn tips to navigate the situation and strategies to prepare for the conversation.
4:00 – 5:00 PM Breakout Session III (E & F)
Session III (E): Navigating Transformational Change through an Equity Lens
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003A (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Dr. Angela Davis, Vice-President, CTEO, Office of the President, Durham Technical CC
Description: This workshop will set a foundation and define diversity, equity, and inclusion to create a common Language. The workshop leader will review the Transformational Leadership and Frameworks for Change and discuss ways to create an inclusive environment that promotes student and employee success to become an equity-minded College.
Session III (F): Cookies, Cursive, and Crucial Conversations: Personal-Touch Leadership
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003C (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Dr. Tracy Mancini, President, Carteret CC
Description: Adding a personal touch to professional interactions can help leaders build stronger relationships and gain others’ trust. By incorporating hospitality and empathy and capitalizing on unique talents, leaders can engage and inspire team members and make a lasting impression on external stakeholders. Participants in this session will consider personal-touch ways to distinguish themselves and build more authentic, productive professional relationships.
TBA Evening Social
Friday, March 17th
8:00 – 8:20 AM Juice and Muffins
All Thursday Sessions will be repeated on Friday. During all time slots, participants may choose to attend a Fishbowl Activity. Please see below for more info on the Fishbowl sessions.
8:30 – 9:30 AM Breakout Session IV (A & B)
Session IV (B): Leading Your Team Using Radical Candor
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003C (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Dr. James Cook, Associate Vice-President, Center for Teaching and Learning, Forsyth Technical CC
Description: An experience in my life shifted me from being a passive manager who avoided conflict in the workplace to someone who embraced what author Kim Scott refers to as radical candor. This session talks about my leadership journey and how the concept of radical candor frames my core values of self-expression and integrity in my personal and professional life.
Session IV (A): Lessons About Leadership from the Donut Box
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003A (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Gilbert Umberger - Assistant Director, Student Enrichment, Durham Technical CC
Description: Donuts and leadership, what an interesting combination, right? Join me in a conversation as I reflect on what I have learned over 20 years from two of my favorite things.
9:45 – 10:45 AM Breakout Session V (E & F)
Session V (E): Navigating Transformational Change through an Equity Lens
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003A (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Dr. Angela Davis, Vice-President, CTEO, Office of the President, Durham Technical CC
Description: This workshop will set a foundation and define diversity, equity, and inclusion to create a common Language. The workshop leader will review the Transformational Leadership and Frameworks for Change and discuss ways to create an inclusive environment that promotes student and employee success to become an equity-minded College.
Session V (F): Cookies, Cursive, and Crucial Conversations: Personal-Touch Leadership
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003C (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Dr. Tracy Mancini, President, Carteret CC
Description: Adding a personal touch to professional interactions can help leaders build stronger relationships and gain others’ trust. By incorporating hospitality and empathy and capitalizing on unique talents, leaders can engage and inspire team members and make a lasting impression on external stakeholders. Participants in this session will consider personal-touch ways to distinguish themselves and build more authentic, productive professional relationships.
11:00- 12:00 AM Breakout Session VI
Session VI (D): Having that Difficult Conversation
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003C (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Suzanne Rohrbaugh, Vice-President for Instructional Services, Randolph CC
Description: Have you struggled to find a way to start that difficult conversation? While we never want to have these conversations, it’s inevitable. Learn tips to navigate the situation and strategies to prepare for the conversation.
Session VI (C): From Burnout to Breakthrough
Location: Foundation Hall Room 1003A (View Campus Map)
Presenter: Dr. Christy Holmes, Dean of Arts & STEM, Central Carolina CC
Description: Burnout is real. The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Managing workplace stress has become increasingly more difficult. Even if you are not stuck in the burnout cycle, working closely with someone who is experiencing burnout can drastically affect your mindset as well. This session will address how to begin to break through, recover your energy, and help your team do the same.
Fishbowl Activity
If you choose not to attend a session, you have the option of joining a Round table “Fishbowl” activity. Current issue/questions that have been selected will be drawn out of the bowl and discussed.
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Closing Celebration
Contact The NCCCLAG Management Team
North Carolina Community College Leadership Alumni Group (NCCCLAG)
North Carolina Community College Leadership Program, Founder
336.886.6983
pakers@nccclp.com
Sandhills
Community College
3395 Airport Road
Pinehurst, NC 28326
910.246.4128
mbridschge@nccclp.com
Catawba Valley
Community College
2550 Hwy 70 SE
Hickory, NC 28602
828.327.7000 x4525
swilson@nccclp.com
Gaston
College
828.719.7411
mboone@nccclp.com
Sandhills
Community College
910.695.3749
johnwilliamson@nccclp.com