CFCC Brings College to Mosley with Two Dedicated Classrooms

For students at the Career Readiness Academy at Mosley, graduating from high school is only part of the goal. Principal Charlie Broadfoot wants every student to leave with a plan for the future.

“Our number one goal is for students to graduate from high school on time,” Broadfoot said. “But the second part of that is that when they graduate, they need a plan for what’s next.”

That plan can look different for every student. Broadfoot describes those paths as the three E’s: employment, enlistment, or enrollment in college.

“All of those options are equally valuable, as long as we have a plan,” he said. “We help each student develop that plan and get to where they want to go.”

College Without Leaving Campus

A growing partnership with Cape Fear Community College is helping Mosley students explore those possibilities while they’re still in high school.

The partnership began about two years ago, with initial courses in areas including machining, mechatronics, and 3D printing. This year, CFCC has expanded its presence at Mosley with two dedicated classrooms on campus where CFCC faculty teach college courses.

The classrooms were transformed over the summer with CFCC branding. That was an important part of the vision for Broadfoot. The experience can help make the transition to college feel more familiar.

“When students walk into that new space, we really want them to feel like they’re college students,” he said. “That builds into the question of, ‘When I graduate, what’s next?’ And for a lot of our students, we’re hoping CFCC will be that next step.”

Students Help Choose Their Courses

Students also had a voice in what courses were offered.

CFCC provided Mosley with a list of course options, and students voted and ranked the ones they were most interested in. The student-selected courses are cybersecurity, graphic design, and criminal justice.

Students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade are eligible to take the courses, which are offered free of charge.

The classrooms provide an introduction to the college experience without requiring students to leave their high school campus. Students begin by taking a CFCC course at Mosley. Once they are successful, additional opportunities can open up, including online CFCC courses or courses at CFCC’s Downtown or North Campus.

For Broadfoot, that progression can help students build confidence as they figure out what they want to do.

“Students don’t necessarily know exactly what they want to do, but they know they want to do something,” he said. “They have interests and skills, and this allows them to explore those interests.”

An Opportunity for Students and Families

That opportunity has also become an important part of how Mosley introduces prospective families to the school.

“CFCC is a big part of our pitch to parents because it can help students explore a potential career path,” Broadfoot said. “It also helps them financially because the classes are free of charge.”

As Mosley and CFCC continue to grow the partnership, Broadfoot hopes the opportunities will continue to reflect what students want and need.

“The more a student can be invested in their education, the more they are motivated to succeed.”

Learn more about the Career Readiness Academy at Mosley.