WILMINGTON, N.C. – Nursing enrollment capacity at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College has grown 77.5% since 2023, according to the New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership, a regional workforce initiative backed by a $22.3 million investment from The Endowment.

The partnership launched in 2024 and brings together UNCW, Cape Fear Community College, New Hanover County Schools and the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. Its work is designed to connect students with health care careers from middle school through employment while helping regional employers build a larger local talent pipeline.

UNCW said the partnership’s strategy includes early career exploration, expanded nursing education, student-success programs, employer engagement and workforce development. Grant-funded support also helps nursing students address barriers such as housing and child care so they can remain focused on classroom and clinical work.

Jack C. Watson II, dean of UNCW’s College of Health and Human Services, said the two colleges are working to educate more nurses and retain them in New Hanover County after graduation to help fill health care vacancies. Mary Ellen Naylor, dean of health sciences at Cape Fear Community College, said removing nonacademic barriers can help students complete their education and enter the workforce.

The 77.5% figure refers to enrollment capacity. The sources do not report current enrollment totals, underlying seat totals or each college’s share of the added capacity. The partnership’s website describes the $22.3 million as support for the broader health care workforce initiative, which also includes K-12 pathways, student services and employer coordination.

The partnership plans a public information session Sept. 22 at UNCW’s Lumina Theater in the Fisher Student Center. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the program scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Photo: Jeff Janowski/UNCW

Sources

UNCW: https://www.uncw.edu/news/2026/09/healthcare-partnership-expands-nursing-capacity

New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership: https://newhanoverhealthcarecareerpartnership.com/