# Wake Technical Community College

Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) is a public community college in Raleigh, North Carolina. Its first location, now the Southern Wake Campus, opened in 1963. Wake Tech now operates multiple campuses throughout Wake County. The largest community college in North Carolina, Wake Tech is part of the North Carolina Community College System and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

## History

Wake Tech was chartered in 1958 as the Wake County Industrial Education Center. The school opened its doors on October 7, 1963, with 304 enrolled students. It originally offered 34 in-curriculum study programs on campus and 270 industrial training programs.
The college was called the W. W. Holding Technical Institute from 1970 to 1973, Wake Technical Institute from 1974 to 1979, and Wake Technical College from 1980 to 1988.
Wake Tech now operates multiple campuses throughout Wake County and is the largest community college in North Carolina. It is part of the North Carolina Community College System and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Its president is Scott Ralls.

## Campuses

Wake Tech is located in Wake County and Raleigh, North Carolina. It has thirteen campuses and one online center as follows:
* Southern Wake Campus – This is the college's original campus. It consists of 139 acres at 9101 Fayetteville Road in Raleigh.
* Beltline Education Center – This campus, located at 3200 Bush Street in Raleigh, houses the college's non-degree Workforce Continuing Education division.
* Eastern Wake Education Center – Located at 519 Industrial Drive in Zebulon, North Carolina, this campus provides non-degree training.
* North Wake College and Career Academy – Located at 931 Durham Road in Wake Forest, North Carolina, this career and technical education high school is a collaboration between Wake Tech, the Wake County Public School System, and the Wake County government.
* Perry Health Sciences Campus – Located at 2901 Holston Lane in Raleigh, this campus is adjacent to the WakeMed Hospital and focuses on training for healthcare professionals.
* Public Safety Education Campus – This Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies-accredited training facility is located at 321 Chapanoke Road in Raleigh.
* RTP Campus – This campus was created to serve western Wake County and the Research Triangle Park. It is located at 10908 Chapel Hill Road in Morrisville, North Carolina.
* Scott Northern Wake Campus – This 125-acre campus is located at 6600 Louisburg Road in Raleigh.
* Vernon Malone College and Career Academy – Located at 2200 S. Wilmington Street in Raleigh, this career and technical education high school is a collaboration between Wake Tech, the Wake County Public School System, and the Wake County government.
* Wake Early College of Health and Sciences – Located at 2901 Holston Lane in Raleigh, this campus provides training for high school students in collaboration with the Wake County Public School System.
* Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies – Located at 10908 Chapel Hill Road in Morrisville, North Carolina, this campus training for high school students in collaboration with the Wake County Public School System.
* Wake Tech East – This 106-acre campus opened in April 2024 at 5401 Rolesville Road in Wendell, North Carolina.
* Wake Tech Online
* Western Wake Campus – This campus offers Associate in Arts degrees and is located at 3434 Kildaire Farm Road in Cary, North Carolina.

## Academics

Wake Tech offers associate degrees and certificates in 57 fields. Many students pursue degrees in Business Administration and Management, Information Technology, and Liberal Arts and Sciences. It also offer Associate degrees in Applied Science in Radiography, Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic, Neurodiagnostic Technology, Nursing, and Personal Fitness Training. It also has programs in Culinary Arts, Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Technician, and Phlebotomy.

## Athletics

Wake Tech established an athletics program in 2008. Tech Athletics includes nine teams: men's baseball; women's softball and volleyball; men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, and men's and women's soccer. Wake Tech's mascot is an eagle named Talon and sponsors a co-ed cheerleading and mascot team. The college is a member of Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association. Wake Tech launched its competitive Esports program in 2020.
Its colors are navy blue and gold.

## Notable people
### Alumni

* Nazmi Albadawi, professional soccer player
* Mike Causey, North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance
* Mitch Gillespie, former member of the North Carolina General Assembly
* Patricia Hollingsworth Holshouser, First Lady of North Carolina
* Mike McDermott, former member of the Maryland House of Delegates
* Eric Swann, professional football player
* Austin Warren, professional baseball player for the San Francisco Giants

### Faculty and staff

* Fred Pickler, actor, author, former deputy sheriff, and former law enforcement instructor
* Scott Ralls, president of Wake Tech and past president of the North Carolina Community College System
* James Roberson, member of the North Carolina House of Representatives; retired senior dean and CCO of Wake Tech's Western Wake Campus
* Dana Trent, full-time Humanities faculty member, author