About WPCC
Western Piedmont Community College was chartered by the North Carolina State Board of Education on April 2, 1964, as a member of the North Carolina Community College System. The Board of Trustees comprised of prominent citizens from Burke, McDowell, and Caldwell counties, assumed responsibility for the College and elected Dr. E. W. Phifer, Jr. as its first chair. From the very beginning, the citizens of Burke County demonstrated interest and strong support of their College by approving a state-required bond issue with an unprecedented margin of seventeen to one.
The College sits on approximately 300 acres of campus with rolling hills, lush foliage, a pond, and tennis court. It is home to the Senator Sam J. Ervin Library. Students have a wide variety of associate degree programs to choose from including three transfer associate degrees in Science, Arts and Fine Arts. There are over 36 associate in applied science degrees in healthcare, industry, business, and education.
With annual enrollments exceeding 7,000 students, Western Piedmont Community College continues to provide quality, higher education and meets the dynamic needs of its community. The Continuing Education division situated behind the main campus offers general education and adult high school diploma programs, as well as English as a Second language, crafts, computer technology and woodworking.
Student Achievement
Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) student achievement data is reported annually in the North Carolina Community College System’s Performance Measures for Student Success. Seven measures are evaluated with established baseline and excellence levels. Based on three years of data (if available) for each measure, baseline levels are set two standard deviations below the system average index score, and excellence levels are set one standard deviation above the system average index score. WPCC strives for students to meet or exceed the excellence level on all measures.
- Basic Skills Student Progress
- Purpose: To ensure adult students with low literacy skills are progressing academically toward credential and employment.
- Description: Index scored based on the percentage of Basic Skills periods of participation (POP) with a measurable skill gain (MSG).
- Data Source: Literacy Education Information Systems (LEIS) annual data file, Comprehensive Curriculum Student Report, and Continuing Education data file completed by the College and submitted to the North Carolina Community College System.
| Results: 2020-2021 Basic Skills Student Progress | |
|---|---|
| Excellence | 1.348 |
| Avg Band Max | 1.171 |
| Avg Band Min | 0.816 |
| Baseline | 0.283 |
| WPCC | 1.213 |
2. Student Success Rate in College-Level English Courses
- Purpose: To ensure students are successfully completing a credit-bearing English course within their first three academic years.
- Description: Index scored based on the percentage of first-time fall associate degree seeking and transfer pathway students passing a credit-bearing English course with a “C” or better within three years.
- Data Source: Comprehensive Curriculum Student Report completed by the College and submitted to the North Carolina Community College System and National Student Clearinghouse (NSC).
2018 Fall Cohort Student Success Rate in College-Level English Courses Excellence 1.147 Avg Band Max 1.081 Avg Band Min 0.947 Baseline 0.747 WPCC 1.293
3. Student Success Rate in College-Level Math Courses
- Purpose: To ensure students are successfully completing credit-bearing Math courses within their first three academic years.
- Description: Index score based on the percentage of first-time fall associate degree seeking and transfer pathway students passing a credit-bearing Math course with a “C” or better within three years.
- Data Source: Comprehensive Curriculum Student Report completed by the College and submitted to the North Carolina College System and National Student Clearinghouse (NSC).
2018 Fall Cohort Student Success Rate in College-Level Math Courses Excellence 1.192 Avg Band Max 1.104 Avg Band Min 0.927 Baseline 0.662 WPCC 1.270
4. First Year Progression
- Purpose: To ensure first-year students are making progress toward credential completion.
- Description: Index score based on the percentage of first-time fall credential-seeking students graduated prior to or enroll in postsecondary education the subsequent fall semester.
- Data Source: Comprehensive Curriculum Student Report and Graduation Extract data file completed by the College and submitted to the North Carolina Community College System and National Student Clearinghouse (NSC).
2020 Fall Cohort First Year Progression Excellence 1.069 Avg Band Max 1.036 Avg Band Min 0.970 Baseline 0.872 WPCC 1.012
5. Curriculum Student Completion
- Purpose: To ensure student completion and/or persistence toward a post-secondary credential in a timely manner.
- Description: Index score based on the percentage of first-time fall credential-seeking curriculum students who graduate, transfer, or are enrolled during the fourth academic year with 42 successfully completed non-developmental hours.
- Data Source: Comprehensive Curriculum Student Report and Graduate Extract data file completed by the College and submitted to the North Carolina Community College System and National Student Clearinghouse (NSC).
2017 Fall Cohort Curriculum Completion Excellence 1.094 Avg Band Max 1.054 Avg Band Min 0.973 Baseline 0.853 WPCC 1.056
6. Licensure and Certification Passing Rate
- Purpose: To ensure programmatic coursework prepares students to competently practice their chosen profession.
- Description: Index score based on the percentage of first-time test-takers passing licensure and certification exams within each exam. Exams included in this measure are state mandated exams which candidates must pass before becoming active practitioners.
- Data Source: NC Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, NC Board of Nursing, NC Department of Health and Human Services, NC Department of Justice – Criminal Justice Standards Division, NC Department of Justice – Sheriff’s Training & Standards Division, and NC Office of Emergency Medical Services.
Results: 2020-2021 Licensure and Certification Passing Rate Excellence 1.073 Avg Band Max 1.027 Avg Band Min 0.937 Baseline 0.800 WPCC 1.076
7. College Transfer Performance
- Purpose: To ensure the academic success of community college students at a four-year college or university.
- Description: Index scored based on the percentage of community college students (Associate Degree completers and those who have completed 30 or more articulated transfer credits) transferring at a four-year university or college the subsequent fall semester or graduate prior to.
- Data Source: Comprehensive Curriculum Student Report and Graduation Extract data file completed by the College and submitted to the North Carolina Community College System and National Student Clearinghouse (NSC).
Results: 2019-2020 Community College Students College Transfer Performance Excellence 1.024 Avg Band Max 1.007 Avg Band Min 0.973 Baseline 0.922 WPCC 1.009
In addition to the measures listed above, WPCC monitors the six-year completion rate for students who started at the College. This data is provided by the National Student Clearinghouse and includes both full-time and part-time students who began their postsecondary studies at WPCC. The College’s goal by 2030 is to be 11% higher than the national benchmark. Note that the 2030 report will reflect the 2024 Fall Cohort.
Facts At A Glance
Additional data on Western Piedmont Community College is available through the North Carolina Community College System dashboards.