SMITHFIELD, N.C. (November 13, 2025) – Johnston Community College (JCC) has been named an Educational Advisory Board (EAB) Innovative Institution Award recipient, recognizing the college’s exceptional leadership, creativity, and transformative impact on campus culture and student success.
This year, EAB received more than 40 nominations from colleges and universities across the country, each highlighting unique initiatives that advance education through innovation and collaboration. JCC’s strategic work to grow enrollment, strengthen partnerships, leverage data-driven decision-making, and cultivate a unified, student-centered culture distinguished it among this year’s honorees.
In recognition of this achievement, EAB will present Johnston Community College with a physical award and a $500 scholarship donation to support JCC students. In addition, EAB will offer the college’s leadership team the opportunity to participate in a VIP executive retreat on strategy and leadership, hosted either on campus or at EAB’s Washington, D.C. headquarters.
“We are honored to receive this national recognition from EAB,” said Dr. Vern L. Lindquist, president of Johnston Community College. “This award celebrates the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students who work every day to reimagine what’s possible for our college and community.”
The EAB Innovative Institution Award celebrates colleges and universities that push the boundaries of creativity and innovation to deliver groundbreaking solutions and lasting impact across their communities.
Over the past four years, Johnston Community College has experienced transformational growth in both enrollment and student success. Curriculum enrollment has increased by nearly 60% since Fall 2021, rising from about 4,100 to 6,500 students in Fall 2025. This remarkable growth reflects a collegewide cultural shift grounded in innovation, data-driven decision-making, and collaboration.
Through strategic partnerships, JCC has reduced textbook costs, expanded career pathways, and launched new programs—including those housed in its state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Center—to meet workforce needs. The college has also invested in long-term success through a new data warehouse, multi-year academic calendar, and proactive student retention systems.
By embracing technology, strengthening partnerships, and fostering transparent communication, JCC has built a future-focused ecosystem where innovation drives measurable impact and a renewed sense of purpose across campus.
JCC was the only community college to receive the award this year.
About Johnston Community College
Established in 1969, Johnston Community College is a comprehensive community college within the North Carolina System, offering more than 35 academic programs and numerous continuing education programs, services and opportunities. The College provides programming through its main campus in Smithfield as well as the Cleveland Center, Arboretum, Rudolph Howell & Son Environmental Learning Center and the Workforce Development Center. For more, visit: www.johnstoncc.edu.
Johnston Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Questions about the accreditation of Johnston Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).
JCC is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution.
Johnston Community College
-
Carrie Pitts-Densmore Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
- November 14, 2025
- (919) 209-2563
- Send Email
