Digital Parity for the Pamlico Peninsula

Beaufort County Community College (BCCC) located in Washington, North Carolina is the only post-secondary institution of higher education in its service area, a region characterized by physically isolated communities, great expanses of pine and cypress lowlands, many waterways, and marginally adequate air and rail transportation, along with a history of being economically disadvantaged. All four counties served are designated with below average incomes (Tier 1) and three are named among the most underserved with telecommunications by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The large geographic area and regional economic distress, combined with working student job schedules, childcare, and transportation requirements presented the BCCC significant challenges. The goal of reducing and removing barriers to education while closing the digital divide led to the development of a mobile computing lab delivering a cutting-edge technology learning environment to students.