Graham, N.C. - Alamance Community College (ACC) has been awarded $474,878 from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (NSF-ATE) program (DUE #2553982) to develop BioQuest. This new initiative will prepare students for careers in biopharma quality. ACC is one of only two institutions in North Carolina to receive NSF-ATE funding focused on biotechnology this year.
Through BioQuest, ACC's Biotechnology Department will create a new Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Biopharma Quality, with courses offered for the first time in Fall 2027. The program responds to strong, unmet demand in the North Carolina Piedmont for technicians skilled in quality control and quality assurance. These specialists play a critical role in the pharmaceutical workforce by ensuring that products meet company standards and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements.
"This NSF-ATE award, DUE# 2553982, will allow ACC to leverage NSF-ATE funding and build on the strong foundation of ACC's over 4-decade-old biotechnology program by creating a new 2-year degree focusing on a pathway in biopharma quality," said Michelle Sabaoun, Department Head of Biotechnology at ACC. "The project will allow us to enhance hands-on training opportunities, strengthen industry partnerships, and provide students with access to the technologies and experiences that reflect today's biotechnology workforce. The impact will extend beyond our classrooms by helping prepare the next generation of quality control technicians for careers in a rapidly growing industry in North Carolina."
Industry-aligned training for a modern workforce
The project team will develop six new courses for the degree, each shaped by the skills gaps identified by ACC's Business Industry Leadership Team (BILT), an advisory committee of local industry partners. Course competencies include quality control testing, regulatory compliance and process validation, documentation, and data integrity. The curriculum will also integrate data analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence to prepare technicians for today's manufacturing environments.
Each course will be lab-intensive and use real-world industry equipment. Students will also complete virtual reality modules and earn embedded microcredential badges. These badges assess and verify specific lab skills, giving graduates a résumé-ready credential and assuring employers that they are competent and prepared to work.
Flexible by design
To serve working adults and career changers, BioQuest courses will be delivered in a hybrid format in the evening, with online lectures and blended (online and in-person) labs. Each course will run in a 4- or 8-week session so students can focus on one core course at a time rather than juggling several alongside job and family obligations. The format will be the Biotechnology Department's first to offer online lectures and blended labs.
The pathway will let students prepare for different levels of employment, whether by completing the full AAS degree or taking stand-alone courses. Incumbent employees can use the courses to build quality-based skills and advance in their careers.
Reaching students and sharing the model statewide
In the project's second year, ACC will recruit from a range of prospective student populations. These include non-traditional students such as working adults and under-skilled workers throughout Alamance County, and traditional high school students through direct engagement with biomedical course enrollees in the public school system.
In its final year, the project will share the curriculum, instructional materials, and teaching methods online and through train-the-trainer workshops for faculty at other North Carolina biotechnology departments. The goal is to help other colleges develop their own biopharma quality courses and programs, with the potential for national reach. Project evaluation will be supported by Industry Expansion Solutions at NC State University and will include formative and summative components throughout the project.
Benefits for students, employers and the region
By preparing local high school graduates and adult learners for rewarding careers, BioQuest is expected to expand opportunities for many students in the region. The area's biotechnology and pharmaceutical employers will benefit from a steady pipeline of qualified graduates and from accessible, quality-focused training for their current employees.
About Alamance Community College
Founded in 1958, Alamance Community College (ACC) serves more than 10,000 students annually through curriculum, continuing education, and workforce development programs. Located in Graham, NC, ACC is a cornerstone of education and economic development for Alamance County and the surrounding region. Focusing on innovation, accessibility, and student success, the College prepares graduates to be workforce-ready and empowers learners of all ages to achieve their educational and career goals.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. [NSF award number 2553982]. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.