Edgecombe Community College Team Earns National Recognition with DRAW Certification
Pictured l-r are Dr. Jacquline Wilson,Terry Chapman, Dr. LaShawnda Washington and Desmond Sykes.
Written by Dr. LaShawnda Washington
In a major stride toward advancing digital equity and instructional innovation, five employees from Edgecombe Community College’s Division of College and Career Readiness have earned certifications from the prestigious Digital Resilience in the American Workforce (DRAW) initiative. This national program, designed to strengthen the digital skills of adult educators and workforce staff, equips educators to lead 21st-century learners with confidence, creativity and compassion.
The certification recipients include Dr. LaShawnda Washington, director of college and career readiness, along with division instructors Dr. Jacqueline Wilson, Desmond Sykes, Terry Chapman and Varnell Kinnin. Each participant successfully completed rigorous training, an individual Capstone project, collaborated on a team-based Capstone project, and explored emerging technologies that enhance learning and workforce development outcomes.
DRAW, a federally supported initiative led by the EdTech Center at World Education and powered by the U.S. Department of Education, is focused on integrating digital literacy into adult education and workforce programs. The initiative addresses disparities in technology access, supports innovation in teaching, and prepares learners for success in an increasingly digital society.
“This certification reflects our commitment to being forward-thinking educators,” said Washington. “As technology evolves, so must our instructional methods. We must remain on the leading edge of educational technology and instructional design to ensure our adult learners are not left behind. This certification ensures that our instructors are not just teaching with technology—they are teaching through it.”
Throughout the program, participants examined best practices in digital instruction, assessed digital tools for learning environments, and tackled real-world challenges that affect adult learners—particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“In rural areas like ours, access to reliable technology and broadband internet is still a challenge,” said Sykes. “This training gave me strategies to help bridge those gaps for our students.”
Chapman emphasized the importance of professional development in this area. “To bridge the digital divide, we must first bridge the instructional divide. Many of our students are eager to learn, but we have to be just as eager to grow as educators. DRAW has given us the tools to meet learners where they are and move them forward.”
With their new certifications in hand, the college and career readiness team are already implementing strategies from DRAW into classrooms, community programs and student support services—empowering learners to thrive in the modern workforce.
The achievement marks not only a milestone for individual educators, but also a step forward for the entire region’s workforce development efforts. As Washington notes, “This is about more than digital skills—it’s about resilience, opportunity and a future that includes everyone.”