ABC News Today

RALEIGH, NC (August 15, 2022) – Wake Tech began a new academic year today with the largest fall enrollment in three years. The university welcomed more than 22,000 degree-seeking students on the first day of the fall semester. The incoming class includes more than 3,000 high school graduates of 2022, most of whom take advantage of free tuition.

Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls, greeted the students on the first day and surprised a handful of them with $250 scholarships from the Wake Tech Foundation, including Denatta Woods, who was shocked and very grateful.

“That will help with the books and everything else,” said Woods, who is pursuing an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Accounting and Finance. “I mean that really made my day. It set the tone to let me know that everything is going to work out here at Wake Tech!”

Staff and faculty are also out this week to welcome students, answer questions and help them navigate buildings and find classrooms.

The university is excited to launch two new degree programs this fall to help fuel the pipeline of talented workers in our region.

There are several updates on the Wake Tech campuses:

• The university is opening the CARE Center on the Southern Wake Campus to provide students with comprehensive support to help them stay on track and achieve their educational and career goals. Services include student success coaches, emergency assistance, wellness services, The Nest food pantry, and technology and transportation assistance.

• New welding labs completed and renovations underway for engineering and trades programs at Southern Wake Campus
• The Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence on the Scott Northern Wake Campus is fully open for auto and collision repair classes.
• The new Lilly Science and Technology Center, home to Wake Tech’s biotechnology program, RTP Bio, and the Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies, is open on the RTP campus, as is a new sports arcade.
• A power plant and public safety simulation center are under construction at Eastern Wake 4.0 in Wendell.
• The pharmacy technology lab has been renovated on the Perry Health Sciences campus
• Campus upgrades have been made at all locations, including electronic building access control and new security cameras

Wake Tech has planned several welcome events for students during the first week of classes, including resource fairs, open house events at the Individualized Learning Centers, and free admission and popcorn at a women’s volleyball game. There are several opportunities for students to chat with Dr. Ralls. Throughout the week, participate in meet and greets, including Pizza with the Prez and Handshakes and Hot Dogs with the Prez.

“It’s the first day of our academic year, and we’re all excited: students, staff and faculty,” said Dr. Ralls. “We can’t wait to see these students achieve their academic goals and finally walk across the stage at graduation!”