Higher Ed's Role in Long-Term Disaster Recovery
From the back porch of my log home in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, I can see the Great Smoky Mountains, trucks loaded with fresh-cut Christmas trees rolling by, and even an occasional bear or elk. I’ve chosen to live in rural Western North Carolina for the past 30-plus years because of the cool summer temperatures, quality of life and because it’s the destination of choice for millions of visitors each year.
Tragically, most of this region was severely impacted by the record-breaking rains from Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024. Thousands lost power, cell service, homes and businesses. Local authorities confirmed that at least 104 North Carolinians lost their lives.
I was heartened to learn that WGU’s Environmental Barriers team reached out to hundreds of students in the area to check on their well-being. They identified 302 highly impacted students, with six reporting a total loss of their homes. WGU will continue to work with these students to assist with their education needs and provide resources such as emergency aid funds.
It will take years to recover from Helene, and officials estimate it will cost $53.6 billion from government and private resources.
Beyond meeting basic, immediate needs for food, shelter and health, the long road to recovery must also include programs to address employment, training or retraining, and education. The reality is that many small and employer-owned/operated businesses have closed for good, leaving their employees to look for other jobs or consider relocating. For example, Asheville’s River Arts District had catastrophic flooding that damaged local galleries and businesses beyond repair.
The Small Business Administration reports that one in four businesses never reopens after a disaster, while FEMA says that 43% of small businesses close for good after a disaster. Since rural areas lack the breadth of employment opportunities found in more populated regions, these communities are especially vulnerable and consequentially impacted when businesses close.
Workers affected by these closures need timely opportunities to meet near-term income requirements and secure well-paying new career pathways. I applaud our local community colleges for their quick response, providing local support and serving as centralized hubs for relief staging and coordination. The North Carolina Community College System reports that Helene impacted 14 community colleges that will receive nearly $2.5 million in funds from various resources to repair buildings and resume courses.
Natural disasters and business closures spotlight the reality that many employees are not postured to pivot their employment or careers when they lose their jobs. Not everyone has the time or resources to earn a degree while working or job hunting, but in most cases, individuals can earn a professional certificate or associate degree more cost-effectively and re-enter the workforce faster than with a four-year degree. If they want to continue on to a four-year college, they should ask about transfer pathways that will ensure that their community college credits transfer to their new schools.
Here are several ways that colleges and employers can help local residents retrain or upskill following events like natural disasters or business closures that severely impact local unemployment.
Promote certificate programs and other post-secondary credentials that can lead to quicker employment for job seekers. Many are available at community colleges and state universities at a lower cost than a four-year degree.
Develop and implement scholarship programs that will help pay for vocational and college courses.
Advise potential students to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), regardless of what program they are applying for. Federal funding is available for students at community colleges and accredited schools.
Employers with the financial resources can provide tuition assistance as an incentive to join or stay with a company.
Offer online, asynchronous instruction to students with family and/or work obligations that make attending scheduled class times challenging.
Offer academic programs that include embedded professional certificates, so students don’t have to pay extra for them.
Promote responsible borrowing, so students are not burdened with inordinate debt after earning their credential or degree.
Collaborate with local chambers, schools and economic development entities to help ensure that educational offerings are aligned with the types of employers the region wishes to attract and retain.
A robust, educated workforce is critical to attracting and supporting employers in any community and helping individuals hardest hit by natural disasters to regain employment with adaptable and sought-after skills. Helene’s impact has been devastating on several levels and, in many cases, will constitute a generational impact on the identity and character of affected communities. The resiliency and grit demonstrated by my neighbors, friends and the community assure me that Western North Carolina will get through this challenging time, and education can be the catalyst to help residents gain a new foothold for themselves and their families.
