About

The North Carolina Community College Association (NCCCLA) Advocacy Committee strives to raise awareness of community college library needs and justify budget requests by spotlighting the critical role of libraries in student success, faculty and staff support, and community engagement. The Committee works to achieve these goals by:

• Sharing advocacy opportunities and success stories with NCCCLA members.
• Collection and dissemination of quantitative and qualitative data.
• Engagement with organizations (such as the North Carolina Association for Community College Presidents [NCACCP]) and legislators.
• Collaboration with other library organizations to promote the adoption of legislation which benefits libraries and librarianship, including planning and promotion of State Legislative Days.
• Inclusion of outside stakeholders and subject experts within the Committee.

Projects

• Development of a white paper advocating for community college library funding and staffing, to be presented to NCACCP.
• Expansion of the Committee’s online presence.
• Collection of brief (1-3 minute) library user testimonial videos (please share yours with us!).
• Partnership with the State Library to collect and compile data.

Members

Presidential Liaison – Dr. Rachel Desmarais, Vance-Granville CC

Chair – Rich Garafolo, Lenoir CC

District 1 Representative 2020-2022 – Carol Anne Hankinson, Roanoke-Chowan CC

District 2 Representative 2021-2023 – Michelle Milliken, Sampson CC

District 3 Representative 2020-2022 – Christy Earp, Wilkes CC

District 4 Representative 2021-2023 – Catherine Lee, Cape Fear CC

District 5 Representative 2021-2023 – Gloria Kelly, Central Piedmont CC

District 6 Representative 2021-2023 – Tina Adams, Southwestern CC

At-Large Members 2020-2022 –  Donna Windish, Randolph CC and Sarah Sowa, Mitchell CC

Dr. Anthony Chow, professor at UNCG and co-chair for the NCLA Legislative and Advocacy Committee

*Amanda Johnson, State Library of North Carolina, Data Analysis and Communications Consultant

NCCCLA President – Samantha O’Connor – Central Carolina CC

Past Chair – Jennifer Seagraves – Johnston CC

Ex Officio – Libby Stone – Gaston CC

CCCCLA Chair – Staci Wilson – Catawba Valley CC

Contact Us

Richard Garafolo
Director Learning Resources Center, Lenoir CC
Email: rmgarafolo48@lenoircc.edu
Phone: (252) 527-6223 Ext. 504

Updated: 7/27/2021