In San Antonio, the team accepted an award for the topic, "Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center: Addressing the Skills Gap," one of 10 national finalists in the workforce development category. The awards are given annually in three categories to colleges with outstanding and innovative programs or practices. The Assembly focuses on cutting-edge, trendsetting programs that other colleges might find worthy of replicating.

NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis noted, “By being among the 10 national finalists invited to present, the College has already won. Their slideshow and informative binder will be models for other programs to follow. I am so proud of the NVCC team who represented the college, the community and area employers.”

Industry certifications, incentive awards, internships and excellent job placement rates are hallmarks of NVCC’s manufacturing center programs. In fall 2017, NVCC added to the list by welcoming a record number of women to the Class of 2018.

The Bellwether College Consortium (BCC) is an elite group of colleges charged with the mission to address the critical issues facing community colleges through applicable research and the promotion and replication of best practices addressing workforce development, instructional programs and services, and planning governance and finance. The BCC holds an annual policy summit addressing pertinent issues facing community colleges. The summit brings together higher education researchers, national and institutional leaders, and industry experts to determine more effective solutions.

The Bellwether Awards are an integral part of the Community College Futures Assembly, established in 1995. The Assembly is sponsored by the Institute of Higher Education at the University of Florida and The Bellwether Award is competitively judged and given by peers in community colleges, with no cash award.