IGNITE DAVIE- Davie County, NC

Problem/Rationale: In Davie County, fewer than 33% of residents ages 25–64 have an associate degree or higher, leaving many students without the qualifications needed to compete in the modern workforce. While 67% of North Carolina jobs require education or training beyond high school, local postsecondary completion rates remain low. Financial barriers and limited scholarship opportunities have historically restricted access to higher education and vocational training. This misalignment between workforce needs and community capabilities inspired the creation of IGNITE DAVIE, a countywide college promise program designed to make postsecondary education accessible for all local students.

Goals: 

• Improve high school graduation and postsecondary completion rates.
• Strengthen workforce readiness and align education with industry needs.
• Attract young families and strengthen the local economy.
• Create a self-sustaining scholarship model that reduces student debt.
• Foster community collaboration and shared investment in education.

Project Summary: 

IGNITE DAVIE began as a community-driven initiative in 2016 after local resident Zach Wright sparked a conversation with Davie County leaders about creating a “college promise” program. Supported by the Davie County Chamber of Commerce, Davidson-Davie Community College (DDCC), Davie County Schools, Davie County Economic Development Commission, Davie Community Foundation, and numerous civic partners, the program launched in 2020.

IGNITE DAVIE is a place-based scholarship—open to all students who live in Davie County and graduate from a local high school or registered homeschool. It covers in-state tuition, required fees, and up to $250 per semester for textbooks at DDCC, after all financial aid and scholarships are applied. Beginning in Fall 2023, the program will also include four short-term training options (HVAC, Electrical, Nursing Assistant I, Phlebotomy) to serve students who want to enter the workforce directly after graduation.

Students must reside in Davie County, graduate from a local school, enroll at DDCC full-time, maintain a 2.0 GPA, complete at least 75% of credit hours, and participate in career readiness training and community volunteer service each year.

IGNITE DAVIE has united local government, schools, nonprofits, and residents in a shared mission to make college accessible to all. The initiative has received 951 gifts—two-thirds of its $3 million endowment goal—with donations from businesses, foundations, civic groups, and private citizens.

Engagement Strategies: Narrative from project description

• Broad cross-sector collaboration among local government, schools, businesses, and community organizations.
• Grassroots fundraising campaign engaging residents, local foundations, and civic groups.
• Employer partnerships to align programs with workforce needs.
• Ongoing student engagement through career readiness sessions, volunteer work, and mentorship.
• Continuous community outreach through events, media coverage, and student success stories.

Outcomes: 

• Program Participation: 239 students (2020–2022); 25% of Davie High’s graduating class enrolled through IGNITE DAVIE.
• Academic Success:
  • 85% semester success rate (Fall 2022).
  • Average GPA: 3.1; 31 students made Dean’s List (12 with 4.0).
  • First graduating class achieved a 33% completion rate in two years, exceeding national averages (13% in two years, 22% in three).
• Diversity & Access:
  • 18% Hispanic participation (overrepresented relative to county population).
  • 47% of participants qualified for financial aid vs. 27% of high school population on free/reduced lunch.
  • Funding: $2 million+ raised toward $3 million endowment goal.
• Community Impact:
  • Expanded access to short-term vocational programs.
  • PBS and Education NC features highlighting IGNITE DAVIE as a statewide model.
  • Strengthened local talent pipeline; multiple graduates now employed in local industries or pursuing four-year degrees.

“IGNITE DAVIE has given me the freedom to explore what I want to do and where I want to go with my life without having to worry about money.” — Cassidy Kluttz, AA Graduate

“I would enroll in IGNITE DAVIE 100 times over again! Many students couldn’t afford to continue their education without it.” — Merritt Killian, AS Graduate

Resources

• IGNITE DAVIE website
• Davie County’s AAC presentation