RCC President Robert S. Shackleford welcomed the crowd and talked about how the College identified the need for the Cosmetology program in Randolph County several years ago. “There were only 11 community colleges in the state out of 58 that didn’t have cosmetology programs,” he said, “yet Randolph County had numerous salons.” He noted that cosmetology jobs would not move to Mexico and are pretty inflation proof. “Everyone has to get their hair done,” he said to laughter from the crowd. “The purpose is to train people to work in Randolph County,” he concluded. “We’re glad these students didn’t have to leave the county to get training,” pointing to more than 20 Cosmetology students who stood to one side of the twostory glass entrance/lobby dressed in their black training uniforms. 6|COVER STORY
Since 2009, the Cosmetology program had been located in a rented facility in Hillside Shopping Center, but the program quickly outgrew the space. Cosmetology Program Head Robin Coble thanked the crowd for the opportunity for her students to become a bigger part of the campus community and take advantage of the resources offered on the Asheboro Campus. “The space is unbelievable,” she said, relating that a client had commented that it “was just as nice as any salon she had been to in New York City.” “We nailed it,” Coble said, cutting the ribbon a few minutes later joined by Suzanne Rohrbaugh, RCC vice president for instructional services; Jake White, project manager with
Garanco Inc. General Contractor; Dean Sexton, president of the RCC Foundation; Perry Wallace, RCC facilities project manager; Dr. Robert S. Shackleford, RCC president; Mac Sherrill, chair of the RCC Board of Trustees; Robert Carmac, architect with Smith Sinnett Architecture; and Daffie Garris, RCC vice president for administrative services. Like its Continuing Education and Industrial Center neighbor, the 10,865-square-foot facility at 503 Industrial Park Avenue has been transformed from an old factory/ warehouse building into a dynamic, beautiful learning environment. The building is the old Bost Neckwear Company production facility. (continued page 8)
