Make a Meaningful Donation Today!
Mitchell Community College is the leader in higher education in Iredell County, providing affordable, high-quality educational and training programs and services that lead to equitable, social, and economic mobility for students. Whether you’re an alum, a community member, a business partner, or a supporter of education, your contribution to Mitchell plays a vital role in shaping the future of our college and community. Through your support, Mitchell can continue to ensure that post-secondary education is a viable option for the members of our community.
Location: Statesville Campus – Kirkman House
Dept. Phone: (704) 878-4321
Email: giving@mitchellcc.edu
Here's how your gift can support Mitchell
- Program Development
- Public Safety Training
- The Maverick Fund
- Scholarship Support
- Experiential Learning
- Friends Of The Arts Fund
- Other Ways To Support Mitchell
Mitchell Community College is constantly exploring new programs and areas of study that will benefit the community and its key stakeholders. Funding for new program development requires support outside the annual state budget. Gifts to the College would support the development of these new programs once identified. Contributions to program development will support salaries and fringe benefits for instructors/faculty, the purchase of related instructional equipment, advanced technology, essential classroom supplies and materials, and professional development opportunities for faculty teaching in these programs.
Mitchell Community College has plans to construct a Public Safety Training Facility that will house training programs for all public safety programs including fire, first responder, rescue, EMT, paramedic, and law enforcement personnel. These essential workers are critical to ensure the health and safety of our communities. The facility and training grounds will be constructed in phases in accordance with best practices and will meet established training standards set by certifying bodies for these programs. Gifts to the College will support construction and the purchase and installation of equipment. This premier training facility will ensure a well-trained and competent public safety worker pipeline for our service area.
The Mitchell Maverick Fund is our annual giving fund, designed to provide unrestricted, current-use dollars in support of college priorities. Gifts to the Maverick Fund are spent in full each year and target the areas of greatest need as determined by the college.
Our students regularly depend upon financial aid to help them achieve their potential in college. Scholarship gifts are critical to student success. Donors can support financial aid needs in a number of ways: through the OneMitchell Scholarship program, which provides unrestricted, current-use dollars; through creating a named, current-use scholarship; and through creating a named, endowed scholarship fund. To learn more about creating a named, current-use or endowed scholarship, please contact the Advancement Office.
We believe students learn best by doing, and there’s no better way to provide those opportunities than by supporting research, travel, and professional experiences. Gifts to Experiential Learning provide current-use support for programs like Project Yellowstone, undergraduate research, and student internships or apprenticeships. To learn more about experiential learning and how you can contribute, please contact the Advancement Office.
Mitchell Community College celebrates a long history of visual and performing arts–including being home to the first nationally accredited music program in North Carolina. Our music and visual art programs depend on donor support to provide exceptional opportunities for students, bring in top-rate instructors, and host thrilling concerts and exhibitions for our community. Honoring the legacies of Dan and Jane Pardue, the Friends of the Arts fund is the primary support mechanism for donors to give to the arts and provides current-use support.
We’d love to discuss your ideas of how you might be able to support the college through an existing or new program. Our best work is identifying your philanthropic passion and finding its best match here at Mitchell. Be sure to contact the Advancement Office to schedule a meeting to discuss how you can support Mitchell.
Advancement Staff
Molly Nicholson, Executive Director for Advancement & College Relations
Molly Nicholson serves as the Executive Director for Advancement and College Relations at Mitchell Community College. A 2012 graduate of Mitchell, she furthered her education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she pursued a double major in organizational communication and business. Continuing her academic journey, Molly holds a master’s degree in higher education and a master's certificate in strategic communication from Appalachian State University. Molly's dedication to education earned her the R.D. Grier Excellence in Education Award and secured her a place in the President’s Leadership Institute. Beyond her professional pursuits, Molly is passionate about the plight of children in the foster care system, a cause close to her heart as her little ones are adopted from foster care. She resides in northern Iredell County with her husband, children, and dachshund.
Email: mnicholson@mitchellcc.edu
Office: (704) 878-4362
Donna Vanhorn, Coordinator for Advancement & Accounting Services
Donna became a valuable member of the Mitchell team in 2017, following an extensive career in public accounting. Donna hails from Hickory, North Carolina. Donna's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Lenoir-Rhyne College, and she is also a Notary for the state of North Carolina. Together with her husband Tony, Donna finds immense joy in their family, which includes two children and five cherished grandchildren. Outside of work, she enjoys her time at the beach, camping adventures, cruising, tending to her garden, and, most importantly, creating wonderful memories with her grandchildren.
Email: dvanhorn@mitchellcc.edu
Office: (704) 878-3356
Joseph Wiles, Engagement & Annual Giving Coordinator
Joseph is a life-long resident of Iredell County with many connections to Mitchell. He is an alumnus, former volunteer, and current staff member. He began attending Mitchell in 2018 and earned his Associate’s in Arts degree in 2021. During his time as a student, he had the opportunity to work as the Advancement Office Work-Study. Due to his hard work and dedication in this role, he was offered and accepted a job in the Advancement office as the Administrative Assistant not long after graduating. As of September 2023, Joseph expected the full-time position as the Engagement & Annual Giving Coordinator in Advancement. Joseph graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree online in Business Administration at East Carolina University in December 2023 and enjoys his free time of running his own online business on the side.
Email: jwiles@mitchellcc.edu
Office: (704) 878-3250
Dee Castillo
Dee is a recent Graduate of Mitchell, receiving her certification in Web and Graphic Design. She is currently continuing with Mitchell pursuing an associate’s degree in Advertising and Graphic Design with future plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Marketing. Dee is a dynamic force, known for her positive attitude and boundless energy, which she uses to motivate and assist others. Each day, Dee draws inspiration from her husband, Nick, who holds a significant role within the Mitchell community as a member of the Security team. She is originally from Panama and her hobbies include travel, working out, spending time with her dogs and any activities related to Art.