MCNC's Community Connect Podcast

Welcome to Community Connect, a podcast hosted by MCNC, where leaders and innovators regularly meet to discuss some of today’s hottest technology topics and trends.

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For a dozen years, MCNC has highlighted a 12 broadband-related stories throughout December to create the 12 Days of Broadband. For the final day of this year’s campaign, we are pleased to share insights from the entire MCNC Senior Leadership Team via a podcast as they look back at the successes of this year and look forward to an exciting year in 2024.


You can listen or download episodes via Apple or Spotify.

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Past Episodes

Each episode is aimed to inspire fresh ideas and to have engaging conversations around technology’s vital role in economic development, digital equity and inclusion, broadband infrastructure, cybersecurity, and more.

Community Connect Podcast episode 8 photo

Episode 8: MCNC’s HERO Project Reinforces our Commitment to the Betterment of North Carolina

Summary: MCNC President and CEO Tracy Doaks is joined by MCNC Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tommy Jacobson to discuss the exciting new HERO Project. The lack of high-speed Internet and technology for many in North Carolina, particularly in rural areas, has deep social and economic consequences. Over the coming months, you’ll be seeing and hearing a lot about the HERO Project, and this latest podcast helps to paint the bigger picture of what it is we’re working on, the significance of it, and how you might be able to get involved.

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Episode 7: Building digital freedom one community at a time

Summary: MCNC President and CEO Tracy Doaks is joined by Jeremy Collins, founder and president of Providence Omnistructure. Listen as Tracy and Jeremy discuss Providence’s social enterprise model in Williamston as a way to build an innovation corridor to surrounding areas in Eastern North Carolina. This important work includes boosting broadband access and connectivity, supporting digital literacy and skills, and servicing important community anchor institutions in these communities.

Looking back, looking forward with MCNC Senior Leadership Episode 6: Tracy Doaks, Tommy Jacobson, & the rest of MCNC's Senior Leadership Team Community Connect Podcast

Episode 6: Looking Back, Looking Forward with MCNC Senior Leadership

Summary: In this episode, Tracy Doaks, Tommy Jacobson, and the rest of MCNC’s Senior Leadership Team reflect on the past year of growth for MCNC and look ahead to the future of broadband in North Carolina. Listen as they discuss how MCNC is expanding its practices to serve the community and provide insight into why MCNC was recognized one of the Triangle’s best places to work.

Community Connect Podcast: Sync Up! How High-Speed Tech helps develop people to their full potential, Episode 5

Episode 5: Sync Up! How High-Speed Tech Helps Develop People to Their Full Potential

Summary: On this episode, MCNC President & CEO Tracy Doaks is joined by two experts working to bring digital equity and inclusion to Winston Salem and surrounding Forsyth County: Lakisha Jordan, executive director of WinstonNet, and Layla Garms, the Equity in Education program officer at The Winston-Salem Foundation.

MCNC Community Connect podcast Episode 4: Safeguarding Students: Cyberthreats and Cybersecurity in the Classroom

Episode 4: Safeguarding Students: Cyberthreats & Cybersecurity in the Classroom

Summary: In this episode, MCNC President and CEO Tracy Doaks sits down with members of the MCNC Vital Cyber and K12 teams to examine cybersecurity in education, why it has become a hot target for criminals, and how institutions and staff can maximize resources to mitigate the growing number of attacks and threats increasing almost daily.

MCNC Community Connect podcast Episode 3: Digital Equity and Inclusion in NC

Episode 3: Digital Equity & Inclusion in North Carolina

Summary: In this episode, our host Tracy Doaks is joined by experts in the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Dr. Marc Hoit, Vice Chancellor for IT and Chief Information Officer at NC State University, and Stephanie Jane Edwards, Senior GIS Analyst and Digital Inclusion Liaison at MCNC.

MCNC Community Connect podcast Episode 2: High-speed Health care for NC

Episode 2: High-Speed Health Care for North Carolina

Summary: In this episode, MCNC’s Tracy Doaks is joined by Tracy Olson and John Graham of the North Carolina Telehealth Network Association (NCTNA) to discuss how the pandemic has forever changed healthcare by exposing inequities and connectivity gaps followed by how NCTNA and MCNC’s partnership addresses the challenges facing North Carolina head-on.

MCNC Community Connect podcast Episode 1: Cybersecurity in NC and Beyond

Episode 1: It’s Not a Matter of ‘If’ but ‘When’: Cyber Experts Talk Cybersecurity in North Carolina and Beyond

Summary: In this episode, MCNC’s Tracy Doaks and Chris Beal are joined by Douglas Holland of Akamai to discuss the growing cybersecurity concerns on  global, national, and statewide levels and how MCNC and Akamai are responding to protect their clients and networks.


News & Perspectives

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Women in Business Awards Poster

MCNC’s Tracy Doaks joins TBJ’s Class of 2022 Women in Business Awards

MCNC In the News 2021

Critical Conversations with Scott T. Hamilton featuring Tracy Doaks

Empowering Women in Government: Real Leaders Share Real Experiences

Find your village, appreciate the purple cow

COO perspectives

Video – MCNC’s President and CEO gets us ready for 2021

MCNC President Tracy Doaks

Day 12: Video – MCNC’s Tracy Doaks gets us ready for 2021

MCNC Welcomes Tracy Doaks - President and CEO

Welcome to our new President and CEO

MCNC Press Release

MCNC names Tracy Doaks president and CEO

12 Days Landing Page image

Welcome to MCNC’s 13th annual 12 Days of Broadband

HERO Project Blog Public Safety

HERO Project: Making rural NC safer through Broadband

HERO Project Blog Image Education

HERO Project: Empowering students, teachers through broadband

MCNC HERO Project blog image building relationships

HERO Project: FY 2024 outlook – Building relationships, gaining influence, and taking action

HERO Project Blog photo lacking connectivity

HERO Project: Lacking connectivity comes with consequences

HERO Project podcast logo

MCNC Podcast: HERO Project reinforces our commitment to the betterment of North Carolina

MCNC NTIA graphic

High-speed Internet has a ‘HERO’ in rural North Carolina

2023 Quilt Circle Web Banner

The 2023 edition of The Quilt Circle is now available

Community Connect Podcast: Sync Up! How High-Speed Tech helps develop people to their full potential, Episode 5

Podcast: Sync Up! How High-Speed Tech Helps Develop People to Their Full Potential

NCShare graphic

NCShare Network Aims to Boost STEM Education in NC

MCNC podcast: Cyberthreats and Cybersecurity in the Classroom

The Quilt Circle

Golden LEAF announces $3.3 million in funding, tours Nash Community College

Community Connect Podcast

MCNC podcast: Connecting paths to prosperity through digital equity and inclusion

MCNC Community Connect Podcast Episode 2: High-speed Health Care for NC

MCNC podcast explores high-speed health care for North Carolina

The 2022 Quilt Circle shows vital role of R&E Networks

Cybersecurity podcast

MCNC shows passion for tech in new Community Connect podcast

Students@Work

MCNC talks cybersecurity at Reedy Creek for Students@Work

Students@Work

Cary students to meet MCNC Vital Cyber during Students@Work

2021 MCNC Community Day: November 9 , 2021 at Durham Convention Center

MCNC Community Day proves power of broadband in NC

2021 MCNC Community Day: November 9 , 2021 at Durham Convention Center

MCNC Community Day returns for North Carolina this fall

The Quilt Circle 2021 Edition

The 2021 edition of The Quilt Circle is out now!

Students@Work

Durham students to learn about cybersecurity at Students@Work

Internet2 Logo

Internet2 Community Anchor Program profiles RCCHC

NCDIT Port

NCDIT seeks public input on new broadband survey

The Quilt Circle 2020

The Quilt unveils 2020 Quilt Circle

MCNC Expands Broadband in Southeastern North Carolina

MCNC offers job mentoring to Cary middle school students

NCREN Community Day returns in 2019

MCNC expands broadband connections in central North Carolina

MCNC Operations deliver during historic hurricane season

High-speed fiber ring with Duke to benefit Triangle communities

Teacher at front of class

MCNC supports Teachers@Work and Students@Work

High-Speed Fiber Network to Benefit Triangle Communities

Brogden Middle School collage

MCNC offers job mentoring to Brogden Middle School students

MCNC's Cap on the Move Official Campaign Image

#CapontheMove sees MCNC hat around the world

Students @ Work

MCNC supports Teacher@Work and Students@Work

NC Broadband unveils tool of broadband access

MCNC welcomes Johnston County educator for Teachers@Work week

Students working in front of laptop

MCNC to host Durham middle school for Students@Work

Stephanie Jane Edwards

MCNC’s Collaborative Approach to Digital Inclusion

Dark Fiber Now Ready for Service in the Triangle

Broadband is transforming health care in North Carolina

New map shows reach of Research and Education networks in United States

Agriculture Research and Co-ops

MCNC supports rural e-Connectivity, USDA pilot program

12 Days day 12

Day 12: Looking back, looking forward with MCNC Senior Leadership

12 Days of Broadband Day 11

Day 11: MCNC’s innovation playbook brings Next IT to NC

12 Days of Broadband Day 10

Day 10: North Carolina’s high-speed foundation for K-12 education

12 Days of Broadband Day 9

Day 9: NCTNA and MCNC connecting for better health in North Carolina

12 Days of Broadband Day 8

Day 8: Investing in people and culture always part of MCNC’s success story

12 Days Day 7

Day 7: MCNC’s Vital Cyber forms cybersecurity shield for North Carolina

Day 6 12 Days of Broadband

Day 6: MCNC Listening Tour captures technology pulse in higher education

Dsy 5 12 Days

Day 5: MCNC and value of RENs in the United States

Day 4 12 Days

Day 4: New map shows 20 years of network growth for North Carolina

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Day 3: Marconi Society welcomes MCNC to national webinar series

12 Days of Broadband Day 2

Day 2: MCNC brings broadband HERO to rural North Carolina

Day 1 of 12 Days of Broadband 2023

Day 1: MCNC ushers in a new wave of innovation

Community Connect Episode 7 graphic

MCNC Community Connect Podcast: Building Digital Freedom One Community At A Time

12 Days of Broadband: Day 12

Day 12: Looking back, looking forward with MCNC’s SLT

12 Days of Broadband: Day 11

Day 11: MCNC Security Consultants help solve tough cybersecurity challenges

12 Days of Broadband: Day 10

Day 10: MCNC’s great work culture is the foundation for steady growth

12 Days of Broadband: Day 9

Day 9: New NCShare project levels digital playing field in higher education

12 Days of Broadband: Day 8

Day 8: Managed Endpoint Protection stops cyberattacks in their tracks

12 Days of Broadband: Day 7

Day 7: MCNC boosts high-speed health care in North Carolina

12 Days of Broadband: Day 6

Day 6: MCNC customer satisfaction, net promoter score above industry standards

12 Days of Broadband: Day 5

Day 5: MCNC maintains push towards digital equity and inclusion

12 Days of Broadband: Day 4

Day 4: North Carolina needs HERO, expanding broadband a top priority in 2023

12 Days of Broadband: Day 3

Day 3: Middle schoolers meet MCNC Vital Cyber during Students@Work

12 Days of Broadband: Day 2

Day 2: MCNC’s new podcast sees rise in listeners since spring

12 Days of Broadband: Day 1

Day 1: MCNC named one of the Triangle’s Best Places to Work in 2022

12 Days of Broadband: Celebrating 12 years

Welcome to MCNC’s 12th annual 12 Days of Broadband

MCNC names Director of Innovation

MCNC supports ‘Internet for All’ in North Carolina

AICPA SOC Logo

MCNC keeps SOC2 security standard for fifth straight year

MCNC names Rachel Pisciotta new Chief Financial Officer

12 Days of Broadband. Friday, December 17

Day 12: Watch exclusive documentary trailer for MCNC

12 Days of Broadband Thursday, December 16

Day 11: MCNC recognized with team, individual awards in 2021

12 Days of Broadband Wednesday, December 15

Day 10: Leadership, collaboration are cornerstones to MCNC’s success

12 Days of Broadband Tuesday, December 14

Day 9: MCNC Vital Cyber launches Managed Endpoint Protection

12 Days of Broadband Monday, December 13

Day 8: Digital equity & high-speed health born from COVID-19 crisis

12 Days of Broadband Friday, December 10

Day 7: MCNC and Meta presents North Carolina Network Moments

12 Days of Broadband Thursday, December 9

Day 6: MCNC Community Day returns for North Carolina

12 Days of Broadband Wednesday, December 8

Day 5: Vital Cyber answers NC’s cybersecurity challenges

12 Days of Broadband Tuesday, December 7

Day 4: Durham students learn about cybersecurity at Students@Work

12 Days of Broadband Monday, December 6

Day 3: MCNC is a great place to work

12 Days of Broadband Friday, December 3

Day 2: Broadband drives digital equity and inclusion in North Carolina

12 Days of Broadband Thursday, December 2

Day 1: MCNC sets course through 2026

MCNC ready for next decade of 12 Days of Broadband

12 Days of Broadband #MCNC12DAYS

Welcome to MCNC’s 11th annual 12 Days of Broadband

NC Tech Awards - Finalist - MCNC - Tech for Good

MCNC up for ‘Tech For Good’ award in North Carolina

AICPA SOC Logo

MCNC Completes SOC2 Recertification

12 Days of Broadband - Thursday, December 17 - Day 11

Day 11: MCNC helps engineer $12M Rural College Broadband Access Project

12 Days of Broadband - Wednesday, December 16 - Day 10

Day 10: Fueling innovative, accessible healthcare during COVID-19

12 Days of Broadband - Tuesday, December 15 - Day 9

Day 9: Cybersecurity remains highest priority for MCNC

12 Days of Broadband - Monday, December 14 - Day 8

Day 8: Pandemic uncovers the realities of NC’s rural digital divide

12 Days of Broadband - Friday, December 11 - Day 7

Day 7: MCNC enhances integrated marketing and communications

12 Days of Broadband - Thursday, December 10 - Day 6

Day 6: US Ignite’s Project OVERCOME sets sights on rural broadband

12 Days of Broadband - Wednesday, December 9 - Day 5

Day 5: New leadership inspires innovation on MCNC Advisory Council

12 Days of Broadband - Tuesday, December 8 - Day 4

Day 4: NCDIT seeks public input on new broadband survey

12 Days of Broadband - Monday, December 7 - Day 3

Day 3: MCNC and Facebook bring high-speed Internet to western NC

12 Days of Broadband - Friday, December 4 - Day 2

Day 2: Tracy Doaks becomes MCNC’s new president and CEO

12 Days of Broadband - Thursday, December 3 - Day 1

Day 1: COVID-19 and the big pivot of 2020

10th Year Anniversary - 12 Days of Broadband - #MCNC12Days

Welcome to MCNC’s 10th annual 12 Days of Broadband

The 12 Days of Broadband Reflections: 2011-2022

New MCNC brochure connects North Carolina to what’s next

MCNC Community Champion - MCNC Champions demonstrate exemplary service in a time of need. Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond during this ongoing crisis? Share your story with us today! Thanks for everything you do and continue to do for North Carolina! #MCNCchampions

Recognizing MCNC Champions

SOC 2 Assure Seal

MCNC strengthens security compliance with SOC 2 renewal

CDC Illustration of COVID-19 Virus

Monitoring COVID-19

The Future

MCNC CEO Reflects on 2019, Looks Towards the Future

MCNC and PARI celebrate eclipse of the century

MCNC 2017 Customer Satisfaction Survey Results

MCNC's Cap on the Move Official Campaign Image

Join the fun with MCNC’s #CapontheMove campaign

12 Days Landing Page image

MCNC’s 12 Days of Broadband returns in December

MCNC Community Day 2023 graphic

MCNC presents ‘A New Wave of Innovation’ for North Carolina

Triangle Business Journal Best Places to Work Awards

TBJ reveals 2022 Best Places to Work winners

MCNC In The News 2022

MCNC In The News

MCNC In The News 2021

MCNC In The News

MCNC In The News 2020

HERO Project logo

MCNC taps Colliers for environmental impact contract

MCNC Press Release

MCNC names Sarah Taylor new Chief Financial Officer

12 Days of Broadband: Celebrating 12 years

Celebrate 12 Years of MCNC’s 12 Days of Broadband

NCTech Awards Logo

Big night for MCNC at annual NC TECH Awards

MCNC introduces next-level cybersecurity for North Carolina

MCNC Press Release

MCNC’s Pat Moody retires as Chief Financial Officer

MCNC Press Release

MCNC answers call for action on digital equity in North Carolina

MCNC Press Release

MCNC’s 12 Days of Broadband shows importance of Internet in 2020

Western NCREN Fiber Expansion Map

MCNC and Facebook to Bring High-Speed Internet to Western North Carolina

MCNC Press Release

MCNC’s Jean Davis to Step Down as President and CEO

The Magic of NCREN - 35 years and counting - NCREN Community Day 2019 - November 13-14 in Durham, NC

MCNC celebrates 35 years of ‘magic’ on the North Carolina Research and Education Network

MCNC Press Release

MCNC to Expand Broadband in Southeastern North Carolina

MCNC Press Release

MCNC Ushers in New Era of Leadership with Governor Appointees

MCNC Press Release

MCNC Expands Cybersecurity Tools, Services and Personnel

R&E networks could help better identify national broadband gaps

MCNC Press Release

MCNC Expands Broadband Connections in Central North Carolina

MCNC Press Release

MCNC Chooses Zscaler to Provide Secure Internet Access For Students

MCNC Press Release

MCNC Names CISO, Expands Cybersecurity Team

MCNC Press Release

MCNC Boosts Cybersecurity on NCREN

MCNC Press Release

First North Carolina Education Institutions Test Federated Identity Program

COO perspectives

Changes, Values, First Class! New fiscal year brings historic opportunities in NC

Baby Yoda

What lessons about Cybersecurity can we learn from Star Wars?

NC Tech Awards

NC TECH names MCNC’s Chris Beal 2021 CISO of the Year

Above the rim! FY 2021 was the year of adjustments and accomplishments

Matthew Kinney

MCNC is a great place to be — and everyone needs to know it!

Jean Davis

MCNC CEO video reflects on 2018, looks towards the future

MCNC Triangle Logo on Blue Background

New leadership, fresh ideas steering MCNC forward

MCNC
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3021 East Cornwallis Road
RTP, NC 27709-2889
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