Faculty delivering three related programs at Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) received the Mark Ivester Innovation Award at the 2025 Community Colleges of Appalachia annual conference, held recently in Asheville.
WPCC earned the Mark Ivester Innovation Award for merging innovation and collaboration through a set of programs that deliver high-impact, problem-based instruction using cutting-edge technology. Since 2003, the college has offered Associate of Applied Science degrees in Simulation & Game Design and in 2009 introduced Digital Effects & Animation Technology.
In fall 2024, the Audio & Video Production program was created with a focus on streaming media content. These programs prepare students from Burke County and beyond to thrive in a digital world increasingly shaped by streaming platforms, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and immersive technologies.
People are also reading…
Dr. Cindy Davies, vice president for Academic Affairs & Workforce Development, was joined by faculty members Jason Dale, department head of Business & Computer Technology and Jonathan Crumpler, coordinator of WPCC’s Digital Media programs, to accept the award during a special brunch ceremony. Crumpler gave a brief acceptance message highlighting the college’s teen film camp and WPCC’s contributions to the National Science Foundation’s NC Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine project.
“This award is a testament to the extraordinary creativity and commitment of our faculty, who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in community college education,†Davies said. “Their work not only equips students with cutting-edge skills but also strengthens our region through innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact.â€
WPCC faculty members Jonathan Crumpler and Trae Murray, along with part-time instructors, have created real-world impact through collaborations including N.C. School of Science & Mathematics, where WPCC faculty developed immersive digital experiences for the grand opening of NCSSM’s Â鶹´«Ã½ campus. Visitors were able to interact virtually with historical imagery projected onto walls. This summer, WPCC will continue its partnership by guiding NCSSM students through a specialized summer learning experience in immersive media.
Through this program, WPCC has also collaborated with The Industrial Commons and the N.C. Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine to develop virtual reality training content for textile and manufacturing industries. These tools will allow employees to safely learn complex processes in simulated environments, reducing downtime and increasing training efficiency. The approach is expected to influence collegewide teaching strategies.
Additional innovations from the program include:
- Early adoption of HyFlex instruction, combining live and remote learning
- Annual Teen Film Camp, culminating in community screenings and film festival entries
- Use of drone technology in media production
- Student portfolios built through service-learning (e.g., local animal shelter films)
- Launch of a community podcast series
- Formation of a Media Club for students across disciplines
- Hands-on support of college marketing and promotional media
The Community Colleges of Appalachia is a network of colleges serving 420 counties across 13 states and more than 25 million residents. Learn more at . To learn more about WPCC’s Audio & Video Production, Digital Effects & Animation Technology or Simulation & Game Development, visit .
