CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina’s community colleges will be pivotal to meeting the state’s goal of 2 million people with degrees or high-quality credentials by 2030, says UNC System President Peter Hans.

“If we’re to achieve the goal of 2 million more North Carolinians by 2030, community colleges really will be at the center of that strategy,” Hans says in the accompanying video.

Hans served as NC Community College System President before he became UNC System President. The state’s 58 community colleges are easily accessible in virtually every community in the state, he says. They provide short-term workforce training to help workers adapt to a rapidly changing economy. Or they can provide an affordable start toward a four-year degree.

“The community colleges and the affordable, accessible, high-quality education they provide are going to be critical if we’re going to meet the 2 million by 2030 goal,” Hans says.