Isothermal Community College

05/28/2026

Local entrepreneur in statewide start-up showdown

RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. — Jenna Washburn Bailey has been selected as one of 18 entrepreneurs from across North Carolina to participate in the inaugural SBCN Startup Showdown, powered by the Wells Fargo Foundation.

The statewide entrepreneurship initiative, launched through North Carolina’s 58 community college Small Business Centers, attracted 316 applicants from across the state. According to the North Carolina Community College Small Business Center Network, the program also generated more than 1,050 hours of pre-application business counseling and technical support through local Small Business Centers.

Bailey was selected for her work developing Washburn Manor, a future event and cultural venue in Rutherford County focused on heritage, hospitality, and community engagement.

“I am honored to be selected for this opportunity as I work to develop Washburn Manor, a future event and cultural venue rooted in heritage, hospitality, and community in Rutherford County,” Bailey said. “This program gives me the structure and support to move that vision forward with confidence.”

Bailey, owner of Artifacturing, has spent more than 15 years helping clients strengthen brands, attract visitors, and grow businesses. She said Washburn Manor represents an opportunity to build something lasting that honors her family’s legacy while creating a meaningful gathering place for residents and visitors alike.

The planned venue will offer weddings, private events, heritage experiences, community programming, and ticketed cultural events.

Bailey credited the Isothermal Community College Small Business Center for providing guidance and encouragement throughout the process.

“The Isothermal Community College Small Business Center has supported me through valuable classes, encouragement, and mentorship, especially through Sarah Crank and Clark Poole, who have helped me maintain momentum and connect with opportunities like this program,” Bailey said.

For more information about the Small Business Center at Isothermal Community College, contact Sarah Crank at [email protected] or 828-395-1667.

North Carolina Community Colleges

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

As comes to a close and we begin the Summer 2026 semester, we want to remind our students that your well-being matters just as much as your success in the classroom. 💙

Starting a new semester can bring excitement, stress, and a lot of change, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Isothermal offers free student resources to support your mental health and overall well-being, including counseling services and access to TimelyCare for virtual, on-demand support anytime you need it.

Take a breath, give yourself grace, and remember: asking for help is a sign of strength. 🌱

Learn more about student support resources at isothermal.edu/students.

05/26/2026

Interested in working with children? Childcare Academy could be your first step. 📚

This two-week summer program gives students the opportunity to earn their NC Early Childhood Credential, complete CPR and First Aid training, and gain valuable experience along the way.

📅 July 13–24
💲 Scholarships available for up to 10 students

Learn more and apply: isothermal.edu/camps/childcare

Supported in part by Dogwood Health Trust.

05/26/2026

Remember & Honor 🇺🇸

From our campus to our community, we pause to honor those who gave everything in service to our nation.

Their sacrifice is reflected in the opportunities we have today to learn, to serve, and to build a better future.

05/25/2026

This summer is your chance to gain real-world experience, build job skills, and explore future career pathways ⚙️

The Isothermal Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program is open to high school juniors and seniors (16+) ready to take the next step toward their future.

This 3-week paid program runs June 1 – June 18 and includes hands-on learning, workplace exposure, certifications, and a $500 stipend plus transportation support.

⏰ Time is running out! Tomorrow is the final day to apply for both the Isothermal Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program and Careers Electric Summer Electrical Academy. Applications close May 26 at 5 PM.

🔗 Visit isothermal.edu/works/summer/ to apply and learn more.

05/22/2026

📢 Campus Announcement: Isothermal Community College will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.

We join our community in remembering and honoring those who gave their lives in service to our nation. 🇺🇸

05/21/2026

Empowerment Through Education

We are proud to recognize another milestone at the Rutherford County Detention Center as another group has successfully completed CPR certification training. These accomplishments reflect their commitment to learning life-saving skills and making positive use of their time while in our facility.

This opportunity was made possible through funding provided by a generous private organization that helped remove barriers and ensure this valuable training was accessible to those who can benefit from it most.

Programs like this foster confidence, accountability, and personal responsibility, while equipping participants with practical, life-saving skills that can make a meaningful impact in emergency situations when they return to the community.

Thank you to our dedicated Detention staff, ICC instructor Stacy Jenkins, and our community partners who continue to support meaningful programs that promote growth and second chances.

Please join us in congratulating this group on their hard work and achievement!

05/20/2026

Fountain was glad to have staff in the room yesterday at the Good Jobs WNC employer summit thanks to an invitation from Isothermal Community College.

Good Jobs WNC is a regional workforce initiative coordinated across all eleven Western North Carolina community colleges, with support from the John M. Belk Endowment, the Leon Levine Foundation, and Governor Stein's office. The goal is straightforward: align community college training programs with the actual hiring needs of regional employers, so more WNC residents can access living-wage careers and stay in the region. Yesterday's event was held at Sierra Nevada in Fletcher, NC.

For companies like ours that depend on skilled trade talent, this kind of collaboration matters. We're looking forward to continued engagement as this initiative takes shape.

05/20/2026

This summer, turn hands-on learning into real career opportunity ⚡

The Careers Electric Summer Electrical Academy is open to high school juniors and seniors (16+) ready to explore the electrical industry through real training and experience.

This 8-week paid program runs June 1 – July 29 and includes industry instruction, certifications, workplace learning, and a $2,000 stipend plus transportation support.

⏰ Application deadline: May 26 at 5 PM

Build skills. Gain experience. Get paid this summer.

🔗 To apply or learn more visit isothermal.edu/works/summer.

05/20/2026

Sixteen new EMTs are ready to serve our communities! ⚕️🚑

Congratulations to our EMT Spring 2026 graduates on completing their training and taking the next step into emergency medical services.

Read more about the ceremony and graduates here ➡️ https://www.isothermal.edu/newscenter/2026/05/sixteen-emergency-medical-technician-students-graduate-from-isothermal-community-college.html