MEDIA CONTACT:
Kenyon “KJ” Askew, Jr.
Director, Marketing & Strategic Engagement
klaskew736@nashcc.edu
252-451-8235

U.S. Secretary of Energy Visits Nash CC to Highlight Workforce Training 

ROCKY MOUNT, North Carolina (April 2, 2026) – Nash Community College welcomed U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to campus on April 2, providing an opportunity to showcase the college’s innovative workforce training programs and their impact on North Carolina’s economy.

During the visit, Secretary Wright toured the college’s Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing Building within the Applied Engineering Technologies program and the Electric Line training field, where he observed hands-on instruction, engaged with faculty and students, and even climbed a training pole used by students in the electric line program.

Secretary Wright also spoke directly with students in both the Electric Line Construction Technology program and Applied Engineering Technologies programs, gaining insight into their training experiences and career goals.

The visit underscores the critical role community colleges play in preparing a skilled workforce to meet the demands of high-growth industries, including advanced manufacturing and energy infrastructure.

“We were honored to welcome Secretary Wright to NCC and provide him with a firsthand look at the hands-on training taking place in our Applied Engineering and Electric Line programs,” said Dr. Lew K. Hunnicutt, president of NCC. “The opportunity for him to engage directly with our students and experience elements of their training speaks to the strength of our programs and the importance of preparing a skilled workforce to meet the evolving needs of our state and nation.”

The Applied Engineering Technologies program continues to receive national attention. In 2023, the college’s advanced manufacturing programs hosted President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, marking the first time a sitting U.S. president and first lady visited a North Carolina community college campus together.

Secretary Wright’s visit builds on that momentum, reinforcing the importance of skilled trades education and the value of partnerships between education and industry.

NCC’s Electric Line Construction Technology program, the gold standard program of its kind at a community college in the region, was also a focal point of the visit. The program has experienced significant growth, enrolling its largest class to date with more than 75 students in Fall 2025.

Students in the program represent communities from across North Carolina, with some traveling from outside the state, including the Midwest, to enroll due to the program’s strong reputation and career outcomes.

NCC remains committed to expanding access to high-quality workforce training programs that support economic development and provide students with pathways to meaningful, in-demand careers.

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About Nash Community College 
Nash Community College’s mission is to provide an affordable educational environment which prepares students for university transfer and rewarding careers. Through quality instruction and services, technology, work force development, and community partnerships, Nash Community College provides lifelong learning opportunities to individuals, communities, and organizations. Nash Community College is a public community college in Nash County, North Carolina. It is part of the North Carolina Community College System.