2022 Annual Report | Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

FORWARD2022

A Year Forward

Letter from the President Dr. Carol S. Spalding

We all held our collective breath and wished for better and brighter days ahead as we ushered in 2022. Worn and weary from COVID-19 and all its demands, we were ready to emerge from the shadows of the pandemic that had upended our lives for nearly two years. Everyone was ready for a new beginning. Everyone was ready to move forward.

And move forward we did with projects and initiatives designed to propel our students and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College forward. The College continued its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts by expanding its Juneteenth Celebration, hosting the third annual GUIDE Conference, and adding a DEI area of focus to the College’s new Strategic Plan. We celebrated as our world-class faculty, staff and students earned prestigious state and national awards for work-based learning, teaching, and technical skills. We also moved forward by beginning the design process for the Technology Education Complex, which will be located on the College’s North Campus in Salisbury.

As spring semester gave way to summer and fall, we saw our campuses teeming with students and a return to the numerous events and activities that had been held virtually during the pandemic. Our forward progress continued by hosting the annual fall conference for the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers, which was the organization’s first large-scale, face-to-face gathering since 2019.

In the pages that follow, you will find highlights of the past year and stories reflecting the College’s resolve, dedication and commitment – all of which helped us meet students right where they are – from recent high school graduates looking for a way to keep college costs low to adults looking to change careers or earn a degree to improve their marketability and mobility at work.

As we reflected on 2022 in preparation for this annual report, we recalled the challenges and changes of the past few years. We recalled our resolve to continue educating our students and partnering with businesses in our community to develop a prepared workforce. We recalled our commitment to meet the challenges and changes as a result of the pandemic – all in the name of moving forward. We are proud to serve as a trusted workforce development provider in our region, and we’ll continue to strive to be the first choice for higher education.

“Rowan-Cabarrus is a beacon of hope for our students, offering them the opportunity to re-envision and re-imagine their futures.”

As we look ahead, the momentum of 2022 will help us navigate forward as we roll out new initiatives, activities, programs and plans, including a new Strategic Plan that will serve as a roadmap to our future. The new Strategic Plan will include an expanded focus area dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion – ideals that are essential to the College’s values.

For the past nearly sixty years, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has been a beacon of hope for our students, offering them the opportunity to re-envision and re-imagine their futures. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our students. We depend on you to accomplish the important work that leads to better lives for our students and their families.

A word from the Board Chair: CARL M. SHORT, JR.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College continues to boldly move the needle in our community as an innovative, credible institution that supports the success of businesses, municipalities and individuals. Indeed, its importance increases each year as it carries out its mission of helping people improve their lives through education.

We began 2022 cautiously optimistic, hoping that the COVID-19 pandemic would not continue to cast as wide a shadow as it had over the past two years. We were buoyed by the tenacity and commitment of our community to move forward. The College’s commitment remained constant, too, thanks to the outstanding leadership, faculty and staff.

As many people in the region lost jobs or sought new careers, the College offered new opportunities in high-demand fields. For students who were starting or continuing college to pursue a bachelor’s degree, Rowan-Cabarrus provided affordable in-person and online learning options, technology assistance for

those who needed it, and partnerships with four-year institutions in the state to welcome its graduates with seamless transfer of credits and other benefits such as guaranteed admission and tuition discounts.

The College is a collective force that serves as a catalyst to propel Rowan and Cabarrus counties forward. Throughout 2022, the College never shied away from the myriad of changes and challenges presented. Instead, Rowan-Cabarrus continued to find new and innovative ways to meet the needs of its students, the community and industry – it continued to navigate forward.

I am proud to be able to work with my fellow Trustees and the dedicated leadership at Rowan-Cabarrus as the College helps to shape the future of our community. With a world that is ever-changing and a business environment that is increasingly competitive, Rowan-Cabarrus remains one of our region’s most important resources, working daily to make higher education and a sustainable future accessible to all.

A Message from the Foundation Board Chair BRIAN

HIATT

The Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation continues to cultivate relationships with community partners to ensure that our faculty, staff, and students have the support they need to navigate forward. Thanks to the generous gifts of those who believe in the promise of the College’s mission, we celebrate the progress made, while knowing there is still much work to be done.

As federal COVID-19 emergency funding began to taper, students needed financial support with tuition, technology, and emergency needs, while faculty and staff needed funding to implement innovative programming more than ever before. With contributions from donors and friends of the College, the RowanCabarrus Foundation was equipped with resources needed to support our students and institution. This enabled the Foundation to continue to fulfill its ambition to advance the highest priorities of the institution.

The Foundation focused on critical projects to help students and the community during 2022. Thanks to the abundant generosity of Fred and Alice Stanback, the Foundation completed its solar project on our North Campus, including the installation of solar panels on three additional rooftops, creating the largest solar array owned by any community college or non-profit in the southeast. This unique public-private partnership will result in energy sales that will be utilized annually to fund student scholarships and professional development for faculty and staff.

As we navigate forward, the Rowan-Cabarrus Foundation will continue its commitment to anticipating and meeting the needs of our students, faculty and staff. Working together, your generosity made it possible to implement the innovation needed to face extraordinary challenges this year. Thank you for your confidence in the work of the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation.

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO

390 Full - Time 509 Part-Time

College Celebrates Student Success

More than 1,100 Graduates Cross the Finish Line

The College returned to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a drive-through commencement exercise due to continuing COVID-19 precautions. The familiar strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” poured through the speakers as more than 1,100 graduates crossed the finish line during the graduation ceremony for RowanCabarrus Community College’s Class of 2022.

The ceremony featured all the usual elements found at a graduation, but instead of being seated in an auditorium or stadium, graduates cruised the track to receive their diplomas and cross the finish line.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College President Dr. Carol Spalding addressed the graduates and their guests by saying, “The College is dedicated to helping you ‘Navigate Forward’ and to serving as a resource that empowers you to find your way to your future. Education is the best investment anyone can make for themselves, their family and their community.” She continued, “Today, we congratulate you on your achievement and your investment of time which will improve your life and the lives of your family and the community. Rowan-Cabarrus is dedicated to creating a future that offers hope and opportunity to all our citizens.”

During the drive-through ceremony, students wore their caps, gowns and honorary regalia and had friends and family join them in their cars for the procession. Graduates and their guests tuned into the FM radios

in their cars, and congratulatory speeches and other elements of the ceremony were projected on the Speedway’s jumbotron video screen. Additional friends and family were able to join the celebration virtually via a live stream on the internet.

Student Government Association President Jasmine Rosenberry, addressed her fellow graduates and shared a quote from Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Jasmine also is the recipient of the North Carolina Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association Daryl Mitchell Outstanding Student Award.

“I think we can all agree that today is a significant step on a thousand-mile journey. For some of us, it is a first step, and for others it has been a step to begin again on a new path. During my time at Rowan-Cabarrus, I have noticed that no student is on the same step. Some enroll immediately after high school. Some enter the workforce and return to school to pursue a different career. Others enroll in college after having put their own children through high school. Each of us is at a different place in life, yet, as students we came to Rowan-Cabarrus with a common goal – to navigate forward. We have achieved that common goal, and we are gathered here at Charlotte Motor Speedway to celebrate!”

2022 Graduation included more than

730 graduates

Dr. Spalding reminded graduates and their guests, “The Rowan-Cabarrus family is especially proud of the Class of 2022 for navigating through these turbulent times. But despite the challenges, you reached the finish line, and you now join the many successful graduates who have gone before you. Your life and the lives of your family members will be better forever because of your dedication and work.”

Advanced Technology Center

Dr. Carol S. Spalding Advanced Technology Center Deemed an International Corporate Training Hub

When Rowan-Cabarrus Community College opened its Advanced Technology Center (ATC) at the North Carolina Research Campus in 2019, College and community leaders envisioned a technology training hub equipped to meet industry needs for decades to come. Today, the facility is doing just that, welcoming local students who are pursuing advanced technology degrees and global companies who contract with the College to provide ongoing employee training.

On April 28, 2022, the College’s current president was honored by the Board of Trustees as the College officially christened the building as the Dr. Carol S. Spalding Advanced Technology Center.

“Dr. Carol Spalding is a courageous, visionary leader unlike any I have ever met, and there is no one more deserving of this honor,” said Rowan-Cabarrus Trustees Board Chair Carl Short, Jr. “This building would not exist without her optimistic, forwardthinking and strategic leadership.”

The state-of-the art facility houses classrooms, equipment and lab space to prepare students for the high-tech, high-demand careers of today and tomorrow, with program areas such as engineering, mechatronics, robotics, computer-aided design,

hydraulics and pneumatics. Students benefit from hands-on training with modern equipment that companies currently use in the workplace, preparing them for competitive jobs in advanced technology fields.

The College also partners with businesses around the world to provide employee training at the center, with some companies choosing to centralize their efforts there. Okuma America, a world-leading builder of CNC machine tools, and RJG, a recognized international leader in injection molding training, both operate corporate training hubs at the ATC.

In September of 2022, Rowan-Cabarrus hosted the fall conference of the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC) at the Dr. Carol S. Spalding Advanced Technology Center, drawing attendees from the NCATC’s network of 170 community colleges and its strategic partners to learn the latest practices in supporting manufacturing employers.

The NCATC is an Affiliated Council of the American Association of Community Colleges, bringing together a network of higher education and industry-led partners.

The organization provides resources to help advance emerging technologies, workforce development programs, and awareness of advanced technology centers and their impact on economic growth.

Attendees were exposed to local best practices in manufacturing, including tours at the Siemens Charlotte Advanced Technology Collaboration Hub (CATCH) Center in Charlotte, Stewart-Haas Automation in Kannapolis, and Integro Technologies in Salisbury. They also attended a social event at

“Hosting the NCATC Conference is indicative of our region’s prominence in manufacturing innovation,” said Rowan-Cabarrus Vice President of Corporate and Continuing Education Craig Lamb. “The College is committed to developing world-class strategies to build the manufacturing workforce of the future.”

Atrium Health Ballpark in downtown Kannapolis and learned about the town’s revitalization efforts and the North Carolina Research Campus.

Rowan-Cabarrus Programs Meet the Demand for HighTech/High Wage Job Skills

Among the many Rowan-Cabarrus Community College programs that lead to lucrative employment, the advanced manufacturing, engineering, machining, and welding programs are energized with a renewed popularity with the influx of high-tech, high-wage jobs and a growing regional economy.

Today’s “advanced manufacturing” encompasses developments in the manufacturing field, including high-tech, efficient products and processes and environmentally friendly methodologies. Positions in the advanced manufacturing and engineering fields offer competitive income and benefits, diverse career options, job security, lower educational costs than many other educational paths, and job satisfaction.

Rowan-Cabarrus offers a variety of programs that lead to employment with companies that use innovative technologies, including Associate in Engineering, Computer-Integrated Machining, Electronics Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering Technology, Mechanical Drafting Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics Engineering Technology and Welding Technology.

Students who enjoy working with computers, operating software and design often enroll in computer-aided machining, which teaches the analytical skills necessary to take a production idea from initial concept through design, development, and production. Coursework can include manual machining, computer applications, engineering design, computer-aided drafting (CAD), blueprint interpretation, advanced computerized numeric control (CNC) equipment and more.

Graduates qualify for employment in high-tech manufacturing, rapid-prototyping and rapidmanufacturing industries, specialty machine shops, fabrication, and emerging industries such as aerospace, aviation, medical and renewable energy.

An Associate in Engineering degree from RowanCabarrus is a great starting point for students desiring technical careers, introducing them to specific industry-related categories such as aerospace, civil, mechanical, and electrical. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to transfer successfully to a four-year college or university.

The College’s mechanical engineering technology curriculum prepares students for employment in diverse mechanical and manufacturing engineering fields, with graduates working as technical service providers, materials and technologies testing services, process improvement and engineering technicians, industrial and technology managers, and research technicians.

Electrical engineering technology trains students to apply engineering principles and technical skills in the design, planning, construction, development and installation of electrical systems, machines and power generating equipment. Graduates find employment as technicians, engineering assistants, technical managers or sales representatives in fields requiring broad knowledge of electrical and electronic concepts.

Industrial engineering technicians assist engineers in implementing designs to use personnel, materials and machines effectively in factories, stores, healthcare organizations, repair shops and offices. Rowan-Cabarrus prepares graduates to apply engineering principles and technical skills for employment as quality improvement technicians, front-line supervisors, production planners, inventory supervisors and manufacturing technicians, process technicians, quality assurance and control technicians, and facilities managers.

Increased demand led to the expansion of the Welding program at South Campus in 2023. Applications include electrode welding and cutting, robotics and CNC plasma cutting, with students using the latest equipment including virtual reality welding machines. Graduates of the welding program enjoy career opportunities in construction, manufacturing, fabrication, sales, quality control, supervision, inspection and more.

In addition to the variety of financial aid resources available to Rowan-Cabarrus students pursuing technical careers is the Daniel Hemric Be the Change Scholarship, established in 2019 by NASCAR driver Daniel Hemric and his wife, Kenzie, to assist students desiring careers in motorsports, welding or mechanical engineering.

arm of Kaulig Racing added its support allowing the Foundation to double the number of scholarship recipients to receive assistance from this scholarship.

“Kenzie and I started this scholarship to help folks like us because, if not for racing, pursing a certification at RowanCabarrus Community College would’ve been a great career path for me,” Hemric said.

Setting the Standard

Rowan-Cabarrus Garners Top State, National Recognition

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and the communities it serves continue to thrive because of the College’s dedication to academic excellence, student success and workforce development. The College’s faculty, staff and students are consistently among the best in the state and nation.

Daryl Mitchell Award

Jasmine Rosenberry, president of the Student Government Association at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, received the Daryl Mitchell Award for Outstanding Students at the North Carolina Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association Spring Conference (N4CSGA).

SkillsUSA

Two Rowan-Cabarrus students were named national champions at the SkillsUSA competition. Joe Guza took first place in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R), and Joshua Wood captured top honors in sheet metal.

NC Community College Conference - Graphic Design

Creations by Rowan-Cabarrus graphic design students Khettie Chanthaheuang and Bethany Moore were selected to be used in promotional materials at the North Carolina Community College System’s 2022 state conference. Moore’s design, highlighted on the front cover of the conference program, featured a lightbulb in a graduation cap in front of the outline of North Carolina. Chanthaheuang’s design was featured on the back cover and centered on a photo of a graduate with the intention of reflecting the NCCCS and its mission.

Bellwether Consortium

Under the direction of Dr. Emily Fink, chair, the Rowan-Cabarrus nursing program was selected as a national Bellwether finalist. The Bellwether College Consortium awards competition recognizes outstanding and innovative community college programs across the United States.

Under the direction of Dr. Emily Fink, chair, the RowanCabarrus nursing program was selected as a national Bellwether finalist. The Bellwether College Consortium awards competition recognizes outstanding and innovative community college programs across the United States.

Excellence in Teaching

Sherry Stancliff, occupational therapy assistant faculty member, was nominated and was one of the four finalists for the state’s Excellence in Teaching award, bestowed on educators who exemplify the highest quality and standards of instruction throughout the North Carolina Community College System.

Occupational Therapy Assistive Technology

Senior occupational therapy assistant students Grace Payne and Alexandra Brooks captured third place in the Assistive Technology Competition at the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association fall conference for inventing an illuminating pill organizer to help make it easier for people to locate and take the correct medications.

Future Business Leaders of America/Phi Beta

Lambda

Jadyn Koranteng and Jeremy Post won awards at the 2022 Future Business Leaders of America/Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference. Post placed first in the Community Service Project category and captured third place in Information Management and eighth in Public Speaking. Koranteng took fifth place in the Impromptu Speaking category and placed ninth in Organizational Behavior and Leadership. Rowan-Cabarrus Phi Beta Lambda received the National Gold Seal Chapter Award.

Can-Am Top 10 Partner of the Year

Rowan-Cabarrus is a Can-Am Top 10 Partner of the Year for excellence in training students to operate Can-Am on-road vehicles. The College is one of the top performers in the nation and the only institution in North Carolina to receive the designation.

Students Today. Heroes Tomorrow.

Social media posts and internet memes remind us that not every superhero wears a cape, but we’ve known that for years at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. We are proud to educate many of our community’s heroes. We know the heroes in our community are our friends, neighbors and co-workers. They have dedicated their lives to caring, healing, protecting, serving, and being the first responder. And many of them received their professional training at the College through its various healthcare, fire, emergency and public services programs.

Health Care

Healthcare workers have been on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, caring for the sick, administering vaccines and educating the public on best practices for staying healthy. Rowan-Cabarrus has continued its commitment to offering top-notch training to the healthcare professionals of tomorrow.

The College’s healthcare programs – nursing, radiography, occupational therapy assisting, physical therapist assisting and dental assisting – continue to grow in popularity among students who are seeking the very best in training and excellent pass rates on national licensing exams. Students choose RowanCabarrus for a direct route to relevant certificates, diplomas and degrees that allow them to join the workforce in a wide range of positions that are vital to the health of our community.

In addition to the high-quality instruction and stateof-the-art facilities, the College’s health occupations students also give back by volunteering on campus and in the community to build their knowledge and help others. The College’s nursing students and faculty volunteered to assist with COVID-19 vaccination clinics and also cared for critically ill patients in hospital intensive care units.

“The pandemic has affected everyone, and we are honored to be able to train compassionate and competent healthcare professionals at RowanCabarrus,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president. “I am so proud of our graduates who are giving of themselves to serve others.”

Fire & Emergency Services Training

Rowan-Cabarrus continues to be the top provider of fire and emergency training services in the state. The state-of-the-art fire and emergency training tower located at North Campus is one example of the College’s commitment to ensure that our fire and emergency students are trained to be as safe and successful as possible on the job.

Additionally, with the passage of the 2020 bond referendum in Rowan County, a groundbreaking decontamination training facility is planned on North Campus to train firefighters in best practices to minimize the danger of long-term exposure to carcinogens and contaminants. This facility will focus on protecting firefighters from the dangers they face daily.

The fire and emergency services program also is preparing a new generation of firefighters through partnerships with Rowan-Salisbury Schools, Kannapolis City Schools and Cabarrus County Schools. Local high school seniors interested in a career as a firefighter can begin their training during the school day through the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College High School Fire Academy. The Fire Academy trains students to become N.C. certified firefighters and emergency medical responders. There is no cost to the student and all equipment is provided. Students also earn credit toward high school graduation while enrolled in the program.

Honoring a Legacy

Haylee Shuping, wife of fallen Concord Police Officer Jason Shuping, established an endowed scholarship in her husband’s memory that will provide financial assistance to qualified RowanCabarrus Community College students enrolled in the College’s Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program.

The Officer Jason Shuping Memorial Public Safety Endowed Scholarship honors Shuping’s legacy by encouraging BLET students to pursue their goal of becoming a law enforcement officer and contributing to a strong community of law enforcement talent.

“As someone who helped in supporting my husband through the Basic Law Enforcement Training program at Rowan-Cabarrus, I understand the sacrifices cadets make in choosing to be part of the program,” Shuping said. “Many cadets are unable to be employed while in the program

due to the long hours required in class, and they must rely on their partners or families for financial support. Before this endowed scholarship, there was no specific funding available to assist BLET cadets.”

Shuping lost his life at age 25 after being tragically killed by a carjacking suspect on December 16, 2020. Shuping began his career as an officer with the Concord Police Department and, during his 18 months of service, received numerous commendations for going above and beyond his duties.

Continuing Education Claims Spot Training Provider in North Carolina

The Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Corporate and Continuing Education division has earned a reputation for providing Rowan and Cabarrus counties with opportunities for licensing, certifications, personal enrichment, and business partnership.

Growth and innovation continue to be the trends for programs in Corporate and Continuing Education, with increasing enrollment led by the Emergency Medical Science, Basic Law Enforcement Training and Certified Nursing Assistant programs.

A multi-year collaboration between the College’s Continuing Education and Information Services departments neared completion in 2022 and will result in a new online registration system for students who want to take continuing education courses. The enrollment and course management system, called Destiny One, will simplify the registration process, making it easier than ever to take advantage of what Rowan-Cabarrus has to offer.

COMPANIES SERVED

272

The College’s R3 Center (Refocus, Retrain, Re-employ) has awarded a record number of scholarships for continuing education students. A combination of enhanced student interest in changing careers, along with funding from the College, Rowan-Cabarrus Foundation, state, federal, and local resources, has resulted in an increase in the number of students able to receive financial aid to attend RowanCabarrus. Resources from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) program, Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and the Better Jobs for Better Lives program have assisted students with support for tuition, books, uniforms, supportive services, and emergency assistance.

Career and College Readiness programs have grown in both quality and quantity since students returned to campus after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. Enrollment increased, and performance measures excelled, with the College’s Student Post-Testing rate ranking the highest in the state.

COURSE SECTIONS DELIVERED

2,392

TOTAL REGISTRATIONS

58,959

Spot as 4th Largest Short-Term Carolina

For the third time in the last four years, a RowanCabarrus Community College student was named North Carolina Work-Based Learning Student of the Year. Mechanical engineering student Aleah Abernathy earned the award for her internship with Salisbury’s Turnkey Technologies. For the first time, RowanCabarrus also captured the Outstanding Work-Based Learning Employer of the Year Award for its partnership with the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

The College’s Business Services team continues to work closely with economic development agencies in both Rowan and Cabarrus counties. Recent announcements of businesses locating and expanding in the region mark billions of dollars of investment and will require specialized training programs to fill unique skill needs. The team promotes and administers funding such as customized training and incumbent worker grants to help employers fill skill gaps and remain competitive.

955 = SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS TRAINED

$535,895

SMALL BUSINESS CENTER

11,490 individuals

37,611 registrations

70 client firms counseled 59 workshops held

The Small Business Center

A Recipe for Success for Entrepreneurs

Although Juan Irby had already established a homebased bakery before moving to North Carolina, the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Small Business Center became a valuable resource for building the business from his new home in Kannapolis. Small Business Center Director Megan Smit and her staff assisted him in expanding his online customer base and tapping into the Charlotte market.

Irby operates Mason’s Mixer, a family venture named after his young son. Mason’s Mixer ships fresh cookies every Monday, allowing the rest of the week for Irby to process orders, stock up on supplies, and take care of other details. The bakery also offers local delivery, as well as pickup at various locations in Charlotte and surrounding counties.

In addition to the signature chocolate chip cookies based on Irby’s grandmother’s special recipe, rotating monthly and seasonal flavors include best-sellers such as Birthday Cake and “Baker’s Favorites” such as Lemon White Chocolate. Irby keeps his recipes top secret since he creates many of them himself. Seasonal favorites such as butterscotch pecan, strawberries and cream, and pecan bourbon chocolate chip often come from the cookie wishes of family, friends, and customers.

“The Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center has been such a great resource for me, advising me, pushing me, and helping me keep all my ‘T’s crossed and my ‘I’s dotted,” Irby said. “I would encourage other entrepreneurs to take advantage of what they offer.”

The Small Business Center serves Kannapolis, Concord, Salisbury and surrounding towns, assisting owners of existing businesses as well as those looking toward a start-up venture. From free, confidential business counseling to seminars and webinars, the Small Business Center aims to provide business education and relevant, comprehensive guidance.

The Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center is part of the North Carolina Community Colleges Small Business Center Network, which helps launch an average of more than 600 businesses each year. Small Business Centers have an economic impact in 90 percent of North Carolina counties, helping to create and retain nearly 3,000 jobs annually.

“ The Small Business Center has been such a great resource for me, advising me, pushing me, and helping me keep all my ‘T’s crossed and my ‘I’s dotted.”

Photos provided by Gianna Snell Photography

– Juan Irby

Rowan-Cabarrus Boasts Top Work-Based Learning Program in North Carolina

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Work-Based Learning program landed the top state awards for both the outstanding student and outstanding employer of the year for 2022.

Mechanical engineering student Aleah Abernathy was named the 2022 William D. Weston Outstanding Student of the Year by the North Carolina Work-Based Learning Association, marking the third time in four years that a Rowan-Cabarrus student has received the honor.

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame was selected as Outstanding Employer of the Year, marking the first time a Rowan-Cabarrus internship employer has won the top award.

Abernathy was offered a full-time position with Turnkey Technologies of Salisbury after completing an internship with the company through the RowanCabarrus Work-Based Learning program and earning her Associate in Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology degree.

“Work-Based Learning is the best way to take what you learn in school and apply it in the real world,” she said. “I learned about the engineering workplace, improved my skills, and learned a lot about myself.”

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, located in Kannapolis, honors musicians who were born in North Carolina or made the state their home.

The nonprofit museum houses original memorabilia and artifacts, some personally donated by the artists. Some notable inductees include Andy Griffith, Ronnie Milsap, Chairmen of the Board and John Tesh.

The museum has been a Rowan-Cabarrus WorkBased Learning employer partner for more than a decade, hosting students in programs of study including business administration, advertising and graphic design, human resources, art, and history.

“We discover what goals the student has and plug those goals into our needs here,” said Veronica Cordle, executive director of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. Cordle, a Rowan-Cabarrus graduate herself, was hired by the museum after completing a WorkBased Learning internship. Originally hired as an administrative assistant, she was later appointed executive director.

“From my experience of actually being an intern and working with interns, I know the importance of the whole experience,” Cordle said. “We manage interns as a part of our team. Evaluations are a part of our process, which makes sure they are getting the most out of their time here and that our organization gets the most out of their time as well.”

The Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Work-Based Learning program integrates classroom learning with real-world work experience to give students an opportunity to perform relevant duties in fields of interest while also earning academic credits.

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame is the 1st

Rowan-Cabarrus internship employer to win the top award

2021 2022 IMPACT

35%

$772

AVERAGE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

41%

24% OTHER COUNTIES

PROJECTS

The North Campus outdoor classroom and amphitheater facility, with seating capacity of 1250, was generously funded by the Cannon Charitable Interests.

$1.6 million

The proceeds from the energy sales from the rooftop and ground-mounted solar systems will generate approximately $50,000 in support of student scholarships and professional development.

$3.4 million

ROWAN COUNTY

CABARRUS COUNTY

THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, THE FOUNDATION:

Supported

Awarded academic or emergency scholarships to over 350 students, totaling nearly

$270,000

Supported 31 Student Impact Grants since 2016, totaling 470 testing vouchers for High School Equivalency students.

$28,450

COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS

Celebrated 13 new endowed scholarships totaling over in generous donations.

Foundation for the Carolinas, a trusted philanthropic investment partner, holds nearly 45 of our endowed scholarships totaling over

$ $400 thousand

$4.3 million in assets.

WELDING MACHINING AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLO G Y EDUCATION COMPLEX

Supported the 2020 ROWAN COUNTY BOND REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN resulting in $45 million in funding for the Technology education Complex to house state-of-theart welding, machining, and automotive technology programs.

Advancing a Culture of Inclusive

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has long been committed to the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion. Each day, faculty and staff welcome a diverse student body from various ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic circumstances, and stages of life to the College.

To serve students well, the College also must have a workplace that mirrors the diversity of its student body. The College strives to have a workplace culture that allows faculty and staff to feel respected and valued by engaging in continuous improvement to create a culture that is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive.

The College’s commitment to the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion is stronger than ever. In Fall 2022, the College hosted its third installment of The Way Forward with G.U.I.D.E. – Growth, Understanding, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Conference. This event has grown from an idea for local professional development into a must-attend event for nearly 1,000 individuals around the globe who are eager to listen, learn, and create lasting change.

The College also observed Juneteenth, which celebrates the Union troops’ arrival in Galveston, Texas in 1865, where they began enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation that President Abraham Lincoln issued on January 1, 1862. In a special event that was held at the Dr. Carol S. Spalding Advanced

Technology Center, employees brought lawn chairs to enjoy a time of celebration, education and remembrance, which featured music, speeches, food and fellowship.

Additionally, the College’s Department of Art and Design led a community mural project that invited Salisbury residents to participate in the creation of an abstract mural. Participants gathered to paint the abstract mural with their hands rather than brushes to represent each individual’s unique handprint and identity.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the forefront of social conversation. Individually and collectively, they are critical to the success of every organization. Rowan-Cabarrus is committed to continuing this crucial conversation with a focus on how faculty and staff are growing their understanding of each of these important ideals and how the College can make its commitment even stronger.

Looking ahead, the College will continue to keep diversity, equity and inclusion at the forefront of its work and planning. In the next iteration of the Rowan-Cabarrus Strategic Plan (2023-2028), leaders will introduce an expanded area of focus titled “Belong,” which will address diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for students and staff at the College. In early 2023, the College also will open a food service program on South Campus that will

Excellence

be staffed by students enrolled in the SOAR (Skills, Opportunity, Awareness, Readiness) program. The SOAR program helps adults with intellectual disabilities acquire literacy and life skills to become more independent.

One size does not fit all, and the College prides itself on meeting students’ individual needs – whether they’re in the advising office, at a campus event, in the classroom or online. Rowan-Cabarrus provides comprehensive instruction and support that enables them to succeed. The College is committed to creating an inclusive culture that values students, staff, and faculty. Rowan-Cabarrus has a responsibility to model the values of inclusion and

Rowan-Cabarrus Helps Students SOAR

The College held a ceremony to celebrate the 11 students who completed the SOAR Program.

“We are so proud of our graduating SOAR students and are excited to celebrate their accomplishments,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president. “Their success is a definitive example of how Rowan-Cabarrus Community College meets students where they are and empowers them to go as far as they can go.”

The SOAR curriculum focuses on helping individuals become more independent and self-directed by teaching specific skills needed to function successfully in daily life. Classes are built around each student’s unique strengths and goals, covering functional academics, community living, health and safety, leisure activities, and humanities. Students use computers and other technology and participate in campus and community activities.

SOAR participants take the skills they’ve learned into the community through special partnerships with local businesses. One of those successful partnerships is with Mean Mug Coffee Company located in downtown Salisbury.

Mean Mug owner Evelyn Medina said, “The idea of our partnership with the SOAR program was to bring people with cognitive disabilities into the community, not only to teach them soft skills and how to participate, but also to help the community recognize and appreciate them.”

Transfer Students at a Glance

TOP 5 UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS

TRANSFER PROGRAMS

250 nearly A.A. A.A.T.P. A.S. A.F.A A.E. C.C.P.

LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

TOP TRANSFER DEGREES

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

North

Rowan-Cabarrus is a Smart First Choice for Students Seeking a Bachelor’s Degree

Today’s students are savvy consumers who prefer to pursue their associate degree at Rowan-Cabarrus using the “two plus two” option, which allows them to complete two years at Rowan-Cabarrus before transferring to a four-year institution to finish the remaining two years.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a leader in college transfer programs with many options for students to transfer into public or independent four-year institutions through a wide variety of transfer pathways and agreements. By providing students with the academic, social, and professional foundations they need in a university setting, RowanCabarrus also enables students to make strategic financial choices about their education.

Currently, the College is part of the statewide Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) with the UNC System. This agreement guarantees transfer to students who successfully complete the Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) into at least one of the sixteen universities in the UNC System. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is also part of the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA), a similar statewide agreement that guarantees transfer into dozens of independent institutions.

In addition to statewide opportunities, RowanCabarrus Community College embraces

advantageous transfer relationships with many individual baccalaureate degree-granting institutions. Many of these relationships offer special financial support and guaranteed admission to transfer students from Rowan-Cabarrus. Currently, the College has formal bi-lateral transfer and guaranteed admission agreements with the below-listed baccalaureate degree granting institutions:

+ Fayetteville State University (Fire Protection Technology)

+ Catawba College Learn Local, Grow Local Transfer Agreement (over 50 transfer pathways)

+ Gardner-Webb University (Nursing)

+ Pfeiffer University Pfeiffer Pact Transfer Agreement (over 15 transfer pathways)

+ UNC Charlotte 49erNext (guaranteed admission program)

+ UNC Wilmington Pathway to Excellence (guaranteed admission program)

“Our expert faculty and their commitment to students and excellence in their respective fields is one of the most rewarding parts of attending college at RowanCabarrus, and our students perform extremely well when they transfer to four-year institutions,” said Vice President of Academic Programs Dr. Michael Quillen.

TUITION COST COMPARISON

Tuition-Free Classes for High School Students

A ‘Jump Start’ on College Classes Positions Students for Success

The Career & College Promise (CCP) program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College gives high school juniors and seniors a “jump start” on college credits. Career & College Promise reinforces the longstanding partnership with our local K-12 school systems, offering juniors and seniors the golden opportunity to enroll in college classes for free.

In addition, Rowan-Cabarrus works alongside area school systems to support three early college high school programs, including the CabarrusKannapolis Early College, the Cabarrus Early College of Technology, and the Rowan County Early College. These programs allow students to earn their high school diploma and an associate degree from Rowan-Cabarrus simultaneously.

Rowan-Cabarrus also is a state leader in providing college-level Career & College Promise courses. During the 2021-22 academic year, the College served 2,196 Career & College Promise students (unduplicated) and 735 Early College students (unduplicated).

Students in the Career & College Promise program are exceptional – boasting a 3.06 average GPA and completing an average nearly nine credit hours prior to graduating high school.

“Programs like Career & College Promise are a wonderful avenue for students to get ahead,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president. “By experiencing real college classes, students not only get free college

credits, but ultimately feel better prepared for their next step in life.”

To enhance the ability for students to take advantage of Career & College Promise opportunities, high schools in Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s service area are fully accredited as off-site locations by the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

High School Equivalency Program Begins the Journey to Success

Rowan-Cabarrus Alumna Daphné Moore Went from LowPaying Jobs to a Role in Governor Roy Cooper’s Office and Now Has Her Eye on a Career as an Elected Official

A little over a decade ago, Daphné Moore had not finished high school and was stuck working a job that didn’t challenge her, barely paid the bills, and offered little room for growth.

She enrolled in the high school equivalency program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to complete her high school diploma and went on to graduate with honors with an associate degree in business administration. From there, she transferred to Meredith College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in public affairs.

While attending Meredith, Moore worked in Senator Erica Smith’s office and interned under Representative Kelly Alexander. Her interest in politics blossomed, eventually leading to a position in Governor Roy Cooper’s office and a desire to eventually run for a state elected office.

For many students, that first step toward earning a high school diploma leads to an unexpected love of learning and a sustainable career path.

The Rowan-Cabarrus High School Equivalency (HSE)/ GED program is designed for adult students who test above a ninth-grade level in math and reading but have not obtained a high school diploma. The program prepares students to successfully pass an approved High School Equivalency Assessment (HSEA) to earn their high school equivalency diploma. An Adult Basic Skills program is available to prepare adult students who test below a ninth-grade level in math and reading to gain the skills to pursue their high school equivalency diploma.

Instruction is free to all students in the HSE/GED program and, although there is a fee for the test, the RowanCabarrus Foundation covers the cost for most students. Online courses are available for students who are not able to attend seated classes.

“One of the things that inspired me at Rowan-Cabarrus was the instructors and staff who took an interest in me, cheering me on and motivating me,” Moore said. “It is amazing to think that I went from not even having a high school diploma to working in the governor’s office. If I could talk to Daphné back then, I would say, ‘Go forward, be confident, and get to where you’re supposed to be.’”

Student Engagement: Advocating for Statewide Legislative Priorities

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College students have myriad opportunities to participate in activities outside the classroom that lead to personal growth and help them develop skills that will benefit them in their future careers.

A group of college leaders and students traveled to Raleigh for Legislative Community College Day on June 8, 2022, visiting with legislators including Representatives Harry Warren, Julia Howard, Wayne Sasser, Kristin Baker and Larry Pittman and Senators Carl Ford and Paul Newton. The Rowan-Cabarrus delegation advocated for positive change for students, faculty and staff, focusing on established legislative priorities of the North Carolina Community College System. Legislative priorities included increasing employee salaries, attracting and retaining key faculty and staff to prepare the state’s future workforce in high-demand fields, maintaining budget and enrollment stability, funding modern and secure IT systems, funding cybersecurity positions to maintain technical security, and including community colleges in capital funding proposals.

Attending on behalf of Rowan-Cabarrus were President Dr. Carol Spalding; Trustees Pat Horton, Dakeita Vanderburg and Bill Dusch; Chief Officer of Governance, Advancement and Community Relations Sarah Devlin; Vice President of Student Success Services Natasha Lipscomb; Chief Information Officer Ken Ingle; Vice President of Academic Programs

Dr. Michael Quillen; Director of Student Life and Leadership Barb Meidl; Student Activities Coordinator

Alyssa Mitchell, and student leaders Gabrielle Brown, Dustin Reid, Alex Reyes and Haywood Hayes.

Gabrielle Brown, who serves as Rowan-Cabarrus Student Government Association president, also traveled to Raleigh in December to participate in the North Carolina Community College Youth Legislative Assembly. The Youth Legislative Assembly offers selected participants the opportunity to learn about the legislative process and build leadership skills.

“We know that our students will be future leaders, and we are intentional about creating opportunities for them to become educated about the issues that face our communities and build the skills that lead to good citizenship as well as successful careers,” said RowanCabarrus President Dr. Carol Spalding.

Engaged Campus and Community Leaders Student Ambassadors

Student Ambassadors are important campus and community liaisons for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Each year, a group of outstanding students is selected to reach out to prospective students, participate in events, assist with the successful transition of new students and represent the College in the community. The Ambassador program, which

began in 2010, is sponsored by the Rowan-Cabarrus Foundation and provides scholarships to the student participants, as well as offering leadership development opportunities.

Fernando AlcaideLuevanos is an Associate in Science student who chose RowanCabarrus because of its convenience and reputation. Once he enrolled, he made a point to get involved and encourages his fellow students to stay active within the college community.

Kayla Anderson is a Cabarrus County Early College student pursuing Associate in Science and Associate in Criminal Justice degrees. The Early College program offered her the opportunity to gain college credit while in high school, and she succeeds by keeping an open mind and seeking help from instructors to master her course material.

Shandrika Odom is pursuing an Early Childhood Education degree. Once she decided to attend Rowan-Cabarrus, she was impressed by how quickly she was able to register and immerse herself in college life with the help of faculty and staff.

Jennifer Pleitez, a Rowan County Early College student, is pursuing her Associate in Science degree at Rowan-Cabarrus. She hopes to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree, attend medical school, and eventually become an ER doctor.

Murjani (MJ) Porter is pursuing an Associate in Arts degree with the goal of becoming a human resources professional. She recommends that students participate in the College’s Work-Based Learning program, which offers internships with area business along with academic credit.

Malachi Printup, an Associate in Science student, decided to attend RowanCabarrus because it was conveniently located and offered courses that aligned with his career goals. He was impressed with the vast selection of courses offered, as well as the helpful attitude of faculty and staff.

Kelsie Thomas is attending RowanCabarrus to explore academic pathways leading to a job in the medical field. As she narrows her choices while pursuing an Associate in General Education degree, she enjoys participating in campus activities and organizations.

Richard White chose to attend RowanCabarrus because it is an affordable way for him to create a solid foundation for his future and build his resume. He is pursuing an Associate in Arts degree and plans to graduate in May 2024.

Foundation Contributions

The purpose of the RowanCabarrus Community College Foundation is to raise and manage funds, and enhance relationships that support the work of the College.

Thank you to the following individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations for contributing to the RowanCabarrus Foundation. This listing represents gifts during the 2022 calendar year and every effort has been made to include all contributors. If your name was omitted, please know that your gift is appreciated and will be acknowledged.

Robert Abbate

Pearl Abood

Stewart Adams

ADW Architects

Cindy Alcombright

Greg and Melissa Alcorn

Karen Alexander

Keri Allman

American Online Giving Foundation

Rebecca Anderson

Greg and Cordelia Andrews

Kelli Antonides

APCO Signs

Janice Arrowood

Atrium Health

Domonique Baldwin

Janice Barbee

Rene Barger

Kim Barnett

Wendy Barnhardt

Barton Malow Foundation

Carlene Bean

Amanda Beasley

Joshua Behrens

Amanda Belleville

Marjorie Benbow

Andra Bennett

Jason Bernd

Miriam Berrospi-Kish

Eddie and Trudy Beverly

Jenny Billings

Kasey Blankenship

Josie Blong

Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina

Jennifer Board

Jenny Bodenheimer

Dan and Teena Boone

Jan Boone

Ronnye Boone

Brad Bost

Tom and Rochelle Bost

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Norma Brice

Doug Brothers

Angie Brown

MaryBeth Brown

Paul and Melissa Brown

Brown Antique Equipment

John and Tammy Burkart

Ira Busman

Cabarrus Brewing Company

Cabarrus Lodge No. 720

Ross Cain

Dari Caldwell

Brian Canavan

Cannon Baller Foundation Inc.

William and Ann Cannon, Jr.

Canteen

Carolina Beverage Group

Danny Carpenter

Casco Signs

Kelly Castelloe

Adeline Caton

Michael Caviness

Century 21 Towne & Country

Jonathan and Cameo Chamberlain

Cathy Chandler

Cheerwine

Chik-Fil-A

Thomas and Judy Childress

Rebecca Childs

Joe Christie

Clifford A & Lillian C. Peeler Family Foundation

Ken Clifton

Lisa Cline

CMTA, Inc.

Barb Collins

Concord Engineering and Surveying, Inc.

Phillip and Melissa Conrad

Joel Conroy

Shemeda Conyer

Caroline Cook

Cathy Cook

Danielle Cook

Elizabeth Cook

Barbra Cooper

Corning, Inc.

April Cosner

Lynn Coughenour

Martha Cranford

Jon Crockett

Daniel and Paige Crowe

Zach Crum

Brian Crutchfield

Sue Cunningham

Anne Curlee

Custom Golf Supply, Inc.

D & B Realty, Inc.

Todd Dameron

Sarah Devlin

Cynthia Dillon

Sarah Dillon

Roberta Dimascio

Deanna Dixon

Jeanne Dixon

Mike Downs

Christina Dryman

Duke Energy Foundation

Daniel Dunger

Stephanie Dunlap

Paul Dupree

Aimee Durham

Bill and Debbie Dusch

Jessica Dziubczynski

Windsor and Katharine Eagle

Marcus Earnhardt

Chelsea Edward

El Amigo, LLC

April Elrod

Kelly Elvikis

Lee Ennis

Nekita Eubanks

F & M Bank

Fairwood Construction, LLC

Kathryn Falconer

Karen Faw

Emily Fink

Ken and Cindy Fink

First Bank

Michael and Ashley Fischer

Fisher Greene Insurance Agency

Locke and Cathy Floyd

Shirley Foley

Fortius Capital Partners

Jason Fox

Kelly Freeze

Bennie and Pat Fulcher

Ashley Furr

Kenneth Garmon

Tonya Gaydick

Gene Haas Foundation

Douglas Glasgow

Isha Goode

Charles Goodman

Julie Goodman

Angela Graham

Darrell Graham

Great Wolf Lodge

Dianne Greene

Amanda Gregory

Chris Gregory

Milton Harless

Mary Jane Hartley

Chandy Haskins

Zinat Hassanpour

Melene Hatcher

Joy Haynes

Hedrick Industries

Leslie Heidrick

Daniel Hemric

John Henderlite

Bridget Henderson

Todd Henderson

Sallie Herrin

Daniel and Katie Herring

Virginia Herron

Brian Hiatt

High Branch Brewing Co.

Hilbish Ford Lincoln Mercury

Casey Hinson-Stapleton

Sandy Hodge

Jonathan Hoffman

Donna Hooks

Rebecca Hooks

Pat Horton

Dwight and Carla Howell

Zackary Hubbard

Mike Huffman

Timothy Hunter

Hydraulic Depot/Custom Design/ Tool Rental Depot

Ike’s Construction, Inc.

Ken and Amy Ingle

Karen Isenhour

William and Sabrina Jamieson

Mark Jasmine

Lacrissa Johansen

Barbi Jones

Larry and Kay Jones

Nadine Jones

Jon and Jean Kadela

Kaulig Capital, LLC

Vincent and Eileen Keipper

David and Katrina King

KKA Architecture

Kelly Kluttz

William and Susan Kluttz

Kathy Knight

Justin Knoll

Jill Kovach

Quinn Lacy

Craig Lamb

Lisa Lancaster

F. Wayne Laney, Jr.

Brunson Lawrence

Learning Environments

Judy Lee

Theresa Leflore

Lourdeline Lesko

Dawn Lippard

Tony Lippard

Natasha Lipscomb

Nancy Livingston

LKC Engineering, PLLC

Christopher and Stephanie Lowder

Michael and Kelly Lowman

Stan and Donna Ludwig

Lyon Financial Service

Denise Madrazo

Amy Mahle

Barbara Mallett

Inga Manning

Angelo Markantonakis

Cynthia Martens

Karey Martin

Martin-Marietta Aggregates

Scott McClucas

Kelly McCowan

Nicholas McEntire

JC McKenzie

Cristy McKinney

Terri McKnight

Teronda McNeil-Hueitt

Birgit Meadows

Barb Meidl

Bill and Lisa Meidl

Therese Meidl

Wilmer Melton

Hanif Miller

Lori Miller

M. Jane Miller

Trina Miller

Matt Millward

Modern Edge Technologies

Melissa Mohlere

Carter and Misty Moler

Keith and Annette Moore

Robin Moore

Clayton Moorman

Moretz Law Group, P.A.

Brian Morris

Steve Morris

Morris South

MSJ Glass and Glazing, Inc.

Multi-Electrical Services, Inc.

My Sister’s Place Ice Cream & Fudge, Inc.

Diana Myers

MYgroup

Cynthia Mynatt

NC Department of Commerce

NC Transportation Museum Foundation

Sherie Neely

Debra Neesmith

Chris Nesbitt

Irvin and Sara Newberry

Niblock Homes, LLC

Chad Nichols

Casu Nieman

Michele Norton

Jessica Norwood

Novant Health Rowan Medical Center

Thomas O’Kelly

Okuma

Ollie Mae Moore Foundation

Opkalla, Inc.

Katherine Osterhus

Tena Pair

Brent Parks

Michelle and Douglas Patterson

Sharon Craig Paul

Pepsi Bottling Ventures, LLC

Luke Phelps

Darlene Pickman

Cassie Plott

Potter & Co. P.A.

Anna Marie Prado

Pretty Baby Naturals, LLC

Pro-Tint Window Tinting

Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc.

Michael and Angela Quillen

Smita Quinn

Mike Raney

Richard Reamer

Melissa Reid

Connie Rheinecker

P.J. Ricks

Dakota Rios

Carl Ritchie

Laurie Robb

Hap and Annette Roberts

Claudine Robinson

Rodgers Builders, Inc.

Edwin Rodriguez

Katherine Medina Rodriguez

Taylor Rogers

Rowan Diagnostic Clinic, PA

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Student Government Association

Jonathan Rowe

Angie Rusmisel

Rusty Wallace, Inc.

Adam and Crystal Ryerson

Matthew and Irene Sacks

Dusty Saine

Salcoa Contracting

Salisbury-Rowan Community Foundation

Anni Satterfield

Julie Sauder

Carol Scherczinger

Allison Scott

Jenn Selby

Nicole Sessoms

Erin Shoe

Barry and Chris Shoemaker

Nicole Shoemaker

Lisa Shores

Carl and Luanne Short, Jr.

Haylee Shuping

Carolyn Sithong

Pamela Skillman

Megan Smit

Carl Smith

Hayes and Susan Smith

Justin Smith

Timothy Smith

Miles and Kathy Smith, III

South Central Properties

Southern Style Catering

Elaine Spalding

Dr. Carol Spalding and Dr. Francis Koster

Mark Spitzer

Sherry Stancliff

Brian Stevenson

Jillian Sturdivant

Superior Mechanical Services, Inc.

Justin Sutton

Chad and Kelly Tarlton

Ginger Tavernier

Jay Taylor

Taylor Clay Products Co., Inc.

Barbara Taylor-Lineberry

Temerity Baseball, LLC

Mandy Thacker

The Blanche & Julian Robertson Foundation

The Budd Group

The Club at Irish Creek

The Margaret C. Woodson Foundation, Inc.

The Merancas Foundation, Inc.

The Property Pal

Alan Thompson

David Thompson

Donald Kane Thompson

Tim Schenk Electric, Inc.

Kristen Trexler

Truist Bank Concord

Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Foundation

Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company

Uncle Ray’s

United Beverage

Uwharrie Bank

Dakeita Vanderburg

Timothy and Gail Vaughn

Vogue Cleaners

Walter and Carol Vuchnich, DDS

Vulcan Materials Company

Sam Walker

Tammara Walker

Adam Walters

A’Lelianne Warren

Waste Management

Leslie Weatherhead

Sheryee West

Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund

Donna White-Cook

Zhiviaga Williams

Carter Wingfield

Wolf Trail Engineering

Ronald Wolfe

World Fibers, Inc.

YCH Architects

Natela Yevloyeva

Hope Yost

Jodi Yow

Program & Scholarship Endowments

Families, friends, and businesses honor and memorialize individuals, corporations, and students through endowed gifts to the Foundation. Endowments are established and invested with a minimum gift of $15,000 and are permanent funding sources for programs, scholarships, and other financial assistance. These funds provide the annual earnings to support these awards.

Ambassadors ($250,000 +)

Title III Endowment

Ralph W. Ketner Family Foundation Scholarship

Philip Morris USA Endowed Scholarship

Advocates ($100,000 +)

Dean R. and Betty I. Andrews

Endowed Scholarship

Charles R. Benson and James C. Deberry Faculty Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Dr. Richard Brownell Endowed Merit Scholarship and Faculty/ Staff Development Fund

Food Lion Endowed Scholarship

Ervin W. and Miriam R. McCulloch Endowed Scholarship

Martha Edith Walker Estate Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Terence Cabilin Wallace

Cybersecurity Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Champions ($75,000 +)

AkzoNobel Corporation Endowed Scholarship

Partners ($50,000 +)

Evelyn Kenerly Germann and William Joseph Germann Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Dai Nippon Endowed Scholarship

Edward and Susan Norvell Endowed Scholarship

Lillian C. Peeler Memorial

Endowed Scholarship of Salisbury Woman’s Club

Harry W. Stanhope Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Promoters ($25,000 +)

Cabarrus Rescue Squad Endowed Scholarship

Draft and Design Endowed Scholarship

Lane C. Drye Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Ashley C. and Michael P. Fischer Endowed Scholarship

M.R. Locke & Cathy C. Floyd Endowed Scholarship

Susan Elaine Harrison Memorial Endowed Nursing Scholarship

Salisbury Lions Club Clyde H. Harriss Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Daniel Hemric ‘Be the Change’ Endowed Scholarship NC Paraplegia Association Endowed Scholarship

Optimist Club Endowed Scholarship

Ray and Lois Paradowski Family Endowed Scholarship

Officer Jason Shuping Memorial Public Safety Endowed Scholarship

Susan J. and Robert M. Smith Endowed Scholarship

Dr. Bobby Spencer Endowed Dental Scholarship

Graham Spencer Endowed Scholarship Student Emergency Scholarship Endowment

Robert L. Grace M. Waddell Professional Development Endowment

Harold and Hope Yost Endowed Scholarship

Endorsers ($15,000 +)

Walter Almeida Endowed Scholarship

Austin G. Beverly Memorial Endowed Scholarship

C. Eric Bollenbecker Endowed Scholarship

Brown Family Fire Protection Technology Endowed Scholarship

Dr. Jarrett T. Chandler, Jr. Endowed Scholarship

Michael Chreitzberg Endowed Scholarship

Edna J. Chrin Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Larry Cloninger Family Endowed Scholarship

Sue McCoy Cunningham Endowed Scholarship

Harold C. Earnhardt Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Helen B. Earnhardt Memorial Scholarship

Charles C. Erwin Endowed Scholarship

Rachel B. Gaskey Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Sonny Dale Haigler Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Jane Ellington Harris Endowed Scholarship

Clyde H. Harriss Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Betty Honeycutt Endowed Scholarship

Carla G. Howell Endowed Scholarship

Sarah C. Kellogg Endowed Scholarship

Leadership Cabarrus How You L.E.A.D Endowed Scholarship

Sam R. and Louise May Endowed Scholarship

Jeanie H. Moore Endowed Scholarship

Eddie Myers Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Ben Mynatt Family Endowed Scholarship

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Student Emergency Scholarship

William and Nancy Stanback Endowed Scholarship

Other Endowed Funds

Richmond Gage Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund

Carroll T. Overton Endowed Scholarship

Marion Purcell Endowed Scholarship

Gifts of $1,500 or more may create a named scholarship or program fund. Contributions at this level offer financial support for successful completion of a certificate, diploma or degree. Program funds provide enhancements to the classroom and learning experience.

The Bridge Scholarship

Keith Wayne Cook Automotive Scholarship

Dr. Windsor and Kathy Eagle Nursing Scholarship

Fine Art & Applied Arts Scholarship

F&M Bank High School Merit Award

Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship

The Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation would like to express appreciation to Fred & Alice Stanback for supporting the North Campus solar project and student scholarships.

Harrison RV Trade Scholarship Endowment

Horton -Honeycutt-PropstVanderburg-Brown- Jones Scholarship

Dr. Van Madray Accelerate Your Degree Scholarship

Cabarrus Masonic Lodge 720 Scholarship Fund

Dr. David Moore Pediatric Dentistry Scholarship

Ollie Mae Moore Foundation Scholarship

NCLEX Assistance Scholarship

Next Step Bridge Scholarship

North Carolina Manufacturing Institute Sustainability Scholarship Fund

RAD Alumni Scholarship

Rowan-Cabarrus Student Impact

Grant Fund

Salisbury Rotary Club

Scholarship

Salisbury Rowan Home Builders Association Scholarship

Skills USA

Named Scholarships & Program Funds Solar

Derek Sorrell Memorial Scholarship

Fred & Alice Stanback Scholarship

Vulcan Materials Scholarship

Weyerhaeuser Scholarship

The Margaret C. Woodson Foundation Scholarship

Melissa Zimmerman Scholarship

2022 Grant Awards

Atrium Health: Employment Programs & Leadership Cabarrus Grant - $6,674

The Blanche and Julian Robertson Foundation: Bridging the Digital Divide: Laptop Kiosk Program – funding will provide lowincome students and part-time faculty free access to laptops needed to complete and submit assignments - $20,000

Cabarrus County Partnership for Children: Early Education and Leadership Liaison – personnel and program support to increase engagement in the Early Childhood Education program - $273,951

Cannon Charitable Interests: Teaching Auditorium Renovation – funding to support the renovation of the North Campus teaching auditorium - $200,000

Cannon Charitable Interests: Outdoor Learning Center – funding to support the construction of the OLC and associated audio-visual equipment - $750,000

Department of Education via Rand Corp: Connecting College Students to Public and Community Resources: An experimental evaluation of Single Stop - $60,000 (Year 3 of 3)

Department of Education/TRiO Student Support Services: The TRiO/SSS Learning Community @ Rowan-Cabarrus – funding to support a number of disadvantaged, low-income college students, firstgeneration college students, and college students with disabilities in the United States who successfully complete a program of study at the postsecondary level - $261,888

Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas Foundation: Community College Grants Program – funding to support the Industrial Maintenance Apprenticeship program via scholarships, equipment and instructional supplies$200,000 (Year 5)

Duke Energy Foundation: Modernizing welding equipment to improve student learning - $25,000

Gene Haas Foundation: Funding supports scholarships for machining students - $12,000

Higher Education and Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF)$20,210,153

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF): Institutional – funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19$11,037,902

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF): Student Aid – funding to provide emergency financial aid grants to students - $8,338,412

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF): Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) - funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 - $833,839

Margaret C. Woodson Foundation: Removing Educational Barriers –scholarships and emergency funding - $30,000

Merancas Foundation: Fill the Gap Program – Emergency and hardship funding for RowanCabarrus students - $50,000

NC Community College System (NCCCS): Minority Male Success Initiative – funding to provide educational and wrap-around services to the identified population - $43,604

National Institutes of Health (NIH): Bridges to Baccalaureate (B2B) program – in collaboration with UNC-Charlotte and Gaston College, this sub-award via UNC-Charlotte will support activities to address the needs of academically qualified students to foster success beginning at the community college and continuing through UNC-Charlotte in the area of Biomedical Sciences - $50,701 (Year 4 of 5)

National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE): Increasing Women in Engineering and Industrial Technologies (WE IT) – funding will support strategies in changing the perceptions of these industries within the populations of career influencers and potential students, specifically targeting and engaging female students to increase their awareness of these occupations - $224,093 (Year 4 of 4)

National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) subaward via NC State: The Robotics/ Automation and Cybersecurity Knowledge Sharing Coordination Network (TRACKS – CN) - $32,392 (Year 3 of 3)

National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (S-STEM): STEM Persistence and Retention via Curricula, Centralization, Cohorts, and Collaboration (SPARC4) – This grant, a collaboration with UNCCharlotte and Gaston College, will improve students’ academic and social preparation for the college context and reduce the probability of experiencing “transfer shock” upon

(January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022) | Total Grant Funds: $24,878,334

enrollment at a four-year institution. Funds will provide eligible students’ scholarships to both Rowan-Cabarrus and UNC-Charlotte upon transfer. Approximately 15 students may receive up to $6,000 per year to cover unmet financial need.$1,027,715 (Year 5 of 5)

NC Career Coach Program: funding to support the expansion of the Career Coach program to three full-time coaches in Rowan County - $158,328/year (Year 4 of 4)

NC Career Coach Program: funding to support the expansion of the Career Coach program with the addition of one full-time coach in Kannapolis - $39,582/year (Year 3 of 3)

NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ): VW-Level 2

EV Charging Stations for State Agencies (North Campus) –funding to install two Level 4 EV charging ports at North Campus - $63,354

NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ): VW-Level 2

EV Charging Stations for State Agencies (NCRC/ATC Campus) –funding to install two Level 2 EV charging ports at North Campus - $32,312

NCCCS Expanding CC Economic Impact: Paramedic Program Expansion – funding to support expanding the paramedic program to South Campus$100,000

NC Works Local Innovation Fund: RE-Build Your Future –scholarships and assistance

for former offenders to attend training; training for employers on what it means to be a second chance employer - $400,000 (Year 4 of 4)

State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Foundation: Bridge to Career Cohort – scholarships for the College’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) program - $18,000

State Library of North Carolina (SLNC): Bright Ideas Grant –funding to support sensory spaces in the library for neurodivergent learners$15,000

Underserved Student Outreach and Advising Program (USOAP via GEER II/LC) – RE-Build Your Future 2.0 – funding to assist justice-involved individuals committed to successfully reentering society in accessing educational opportunities - $ 157,471

U.S. Dept. of Education: 2016/17 Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act GrantFunding for career and technical education in student services and curriculum (includes reserve funds awarded) –$409,516

Wells Fargo Foundation: Retail Lab Program – funding to provide instructional support for the Retail Lab Program$5,600

Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund: Student scholarships - $1,000

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Title II): Adult Education and Family Literacy – funding to support adult education and literacy activities - $534,433 (federal only)

Total for 2022: $24,878,334 (January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022)

Accomplishments

The new 2023-2028 Strategic Plan will be implemented in 2023 and will include an expanded focus area dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion – ideals that are essential to the College’s values.

1. LEARN: How can Rowan-Cabarrus Community College increase the community’s educational attainment that leads individuals, families and the region to prosperity, sustainability and success?

1.1 Achieve high-quality learning for every student.

• Achieved good academic standing by 95% of TRIO students.

• Completed two Detention Officer Certification courses with a 86.5% first time test taker completion rate.

• Completed three Telecommunicator Certification courses with a 100% first time test taker completion rate.

• Launched a new Food Service Fundamentals program at South Campus with an inaugural class of five students. The program rollout involved hiring a full-time instructor to lead the class and manage a campus café, as well as upfitting and outfitting the existing cafeteria space to meet current health and safety standards. All inaugural class students were former graduates of the SOAR program, with 100% retention into the next session for 2023.

• Achieved a 100% first-time test taker success rate on the Basic Law Enforcement (BLET) certification exam for the 2022 spring semester.

• Certified fifteen Arts and Sciences general education classes by Quality Matters.

• Achieved a 100% first-time pass rate for the first cohort of the PTA program.

• Achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) National Registry Exam for the Radiography program for the eleventh straight year.

1.2 Prepare students for career success and continued higher education.

• Continued with a local credential discovery process to graduate students with credentials through Finish First North Carolina.

• Administered over 1,100 high school equivalency tests for students and community members.

• Administered over 2,000 Pearson VUE exams, including more than 1,000 business and industry certifications that increase employability and advance careers.

• Celebrated 88% of Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) graduates being placed at trucking firms with an average starting salary of $60,000 per year.

• Awarded scholarships to 96% of Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) students.

• Administered nearly 200 ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications to students, faculty, and community members to aid in career success and meeting local automotive employer requirements.

• Achieved 100% job placement for paramedic graduates.

• Completed 15 criminal justice classes and trained 187 students (1,715 training hours) in the tactical training building to expose practitioners to realistic training environments that incorporate simunitions to improve skills for building searches and room entries.

• Trained 308 criminal justice students, which generated 882 contact hours of training, on the Firearms Training Simulator (FATS) to improve officer de-escalation skills and decision making during high stress incidents.

• Entered a consortium partnership with Piedmont Correctional Institute to train certified and non-certified staff, which resulted in the delivery of 316 courses and served 3,121 duplicated students for a total of 6,782 training hours.

• Celebrated Aleah Abernathy as the 2022 William D. Weston Outstanding Student of the Year from the North Carolina Work-Based Learning Association. The College’s students were awarded the NC Work-Based Learning Association student of the year three of the past four years.

• Launched the Certified Logistics program in the Cabarrus County Detention Center.

• Instructed and certified 28 Piedmont Correctional Institute student inmates in National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core skills to include safety concepts and proper tool use.

• Increased Real Estate Broker Pre-Licensing examination pass rate (for students testing within 30 days after class completion) to 75% for the first half of the licensing year (7/202212/2022).

• Achieved Nurse Aide I Credential state testing pass rates over 86% for skills demonstrations and over 97% for written exams.

• Developed multiple partnerships for Pharmacy Technician recruitment with organizations including Atrium Health, Cannon, Moose and Price Pharmacies and trained 67 new pharmacy technicians.

• Contributed to the healthcare workforce by training more than 300 Nurse Aide I continuing education students, providing medical billing and coding training to 90 students, and by training 25 students in phlebotomy.

• Conducted 127 business counseling sessions and 53 entrepreneurial workshops through the Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center at no cost to support area small businesses.

• Achieved a 100% job placement rate upon completion of the basic law enforcement training program for the 2023 spring semester.

• Celebrated Advertising & Graphic Design students Bethany Moore and Khettie Chanthaheuang winning designs for the front and back covers of the 2022 North Carolina Community College System Conference program.

• Hosted a virtual art show in spring 2022 with over 55 pieces of student art exhibited and over 500 views.

• Achieved a 100% employment rate for the first cohort of Physical Therapist Assistant program graduates.

1.3 Employ technology and resources that support learning.

• Completed the HEERF Funded Fiber Optic Cable Service Demarcation Point move from the vulnerable first floor of the mechanical room in Building N103 to the second floor server room.

• Maintained and updated the College’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Protocols, which guided the College’s response to the pandemic and allowed the College to continue to safely offer face-to-face instruction and on-site operations.

• Created a partnership with Trinity Oaks for employee nurse aide training and sustainable recruitment and developed nurse aide clinical partnerships with the Salisbury VA Medical Center, the Greens of Cabarrus, and Morningside.

• Completed numerous hands-on training projects for the state and community through Piedmont Correctional Institution including repairing, upfitting, and retrofitting police cars, bulldozers and tractors, emergency vehicles, and school buses.

• Implemented a new wireless system.

• Loaned more than 200 computers to students.

• Enhanced 45 classrooms with new projection and display technology.

• Released a new technology support system, JitBit.

1.4 Ensure timely student completion.

• Implemented the NC Summer Accelerator grant, which had a focus on educational attainment. These funds provided awards to students enrolling in summer courses to achieve an accelerated degree or credential, and/or students in need of developmental (remedial) courses or other summer supports to get and stay on track in their programs to graduate on time. The College assisted 98 students totaling $69,115.

• Completed nearly 50 standardized prior learning assessments to increase persistence and advance students in degree completion.

2. ENGAGE: How can Rowan-Cabarrus Community College best prepare students to be responsible and productive citizens?

2.1 Provide holistic advising, resources and support services to optimize the student experience.

• Awarded over $270,000 from the RowanCabarrus Foundation in academic, continuing education and emergency funding to assist over 350 students.

• Provided nearly $6,000 from the RowanCabarrus Foundation to fully cover the cost of over 470 GED test vouchers.

• Awarded nearly $9,000 in Student Impact Grants to nine projects led by faculty and staff to improve the student experience.

• Increased overall FAFSA completion rate by 3%.

• Utilized student-designated HEERF funding to assist 6,460 students, totaling $8,301,411.

• Utilized HEERF institutional funding to assist 3,238 students, totaling $489,233.

• Awarded $174,416 for the Minority Male Success Initiative Grant through 2026 to assist with increasing enrollment, retention, and graduation rates for minority males.

• Provided over 1,675 hours of support to more than 156 low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities through the TRIO program. Support services include one-oneone, personalized academic skill building sessions, financial literacy, career exploration, cultural enrichment, and leadership opportunities.

• Distributed 1,656 pounds of non-perishable items and hygiene products through the College’s food pantry.

• Assisted 179 student adult learners with academic planning, yielding a 66% retention rate.

• Awarded $59,428 in scholarships, targeted advising, mentoring and co-curricular support activities through the SPARC program funded by an National Science Foundation S-STEM grant.

• Opened Beacon’s Bistro on North Campus in August 2022.

• Processed over $8 million in scholarships and fellowships in Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

• Processed over $13 million in federal Higher Education Relief Funds (HEERF).

• Held a drive-through graduation ceremony at the Charlotte Motor Speedway to ensure the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.

2.2 Establish Rowan-Cabarrus Community College as the first choice for higher education.

• Hosted the NC Fire Chiefs Association’s MidWinter Conference at the Embassy Suites in Concord with 38 classes and over 700 participants.

• Grew the Emergency Medical Science program to be the second largest in NC.

• Continued to celebrate the largest Fire & Rescue program in NC.

• Met and far exceeded annual Performance Measures in College and Career Readiness to be in the top ten of highest performing community colleges.

• Celebrated the Information Technology program’s acceptance into the AI (Artificial Intelligence) Incubator Network, which aims to increase artificial intelligence instruction in community colleges and technical schools by equipping graduates with the skills needed for the growing AI job market.

• Celebrated the Associate of Science Cybersecurity Degree being awarded the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Program of Study Validation by NSA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

2.3 Increase student participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities to produce wellrounded leaders.

• Celebrated 2021-2022 SGA President Jasmine Rosenberry as the recipient of the Daryl Mitchell Award for Outstanding Students.

• Completed over 2,000 hours of student community service with agencies including Trinity Oaks, the Veterans Hospital, Atrium Health, Novant and Rowan Helping Ministries.

• Celebrated local, state and national student award winners.

• Participated in a variety of community partnerships and events, including the Rowan Chamber of Commerce’s Dragon Boat Race, City of Kannapolis Trees of Hope and Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Day, Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce’s Emergency Responder Appreciation Luncheon, and City of Salisbury College Night Out.

• Celebrated 17 students who competed and placed in the 2022 statewide SkillsUSA competition.

• Celebrated the student winners of the “I Voted” stickers in the College’s Voter Sticker Design Contest. The designs were distributed by each county’s board of elections during early voting in fall 2022.

2.4 Partner with students for life.

• Trained 2,596 (duplicated) employees through the customized training program, supporting 27 different companies in the College’s service area.

• Celebrated the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame as the Work-Based Learning Employer of the Year.

• Trained 179 students in the Okuma Machine Tool Academy from industries such as aerospace/military, agriculture, oil and energy, medical, automotive, and railway.

• Trained 97 students in the national Injection Molding Training Center, serving 47 national injection molding companies.

• Collaborated with Daimler Trucks North America to launch apprenticeship program that began in fall 2022.

• Delivered 59 basic rider safety motorcycle training classes, on both 2-wheel and 3-wheel motorcycles, instructing a total of 472 students.

• Offered seven summer enrichment camps, ranging in topics from welding to improvisational theater acting, serving 51 area youth.

3. INNOVATE: How can Rowan-Cabarrus Community College serve as the Community of the Future?

3.1 Expand institutional capacity for creating transformation.

• Secured over half a million dollars in funding through the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation to support the College’s highest priority needs and student scholarships.

• Selected the architect, construction manager, and commissioning agent for the $45 million Technology Education Complex (TEC) which allowed the project to move into the planning phase.

• Completed implementation of Phase II of the North Campus solar project, generously funded by Fred and Alice Stanback, to support student scholarships and employee professional development. This project, when combined with the existing systems on North Campus will yield a generating capacity of roughly equal to 70% of the total utilization of all of North Campus each year.

• Completed the re-roof of Building N101 in advance of installing a solar photovoltaic system.

• Completed the re-numbering of the buildings on the South Campus to bring them in alignment with nationally recognized standards for facility identification.

• Completed UV-C airstream disinfectant lighting installation in ten air handling units in Buildings N103, N106, N110, S203, NCRC, Advanced Technology Center, and College Station.

• Completed LED lighting upgrades in Building N102 to improve lighting efficiency and quality.

• Completed the re-coating of the CBTC roof to extend the life of the roofing membrane.

• Completed a reliability improvement program on the college-wide electronic access control system, significantly reducing transient erroneous locking of the College’s buildings.

• Continued the update to the College’s Long-Range Plan, begun in 2021, in order to strategically look forward into the next 10 years at the programs and facilities of the College.

• Completed the transition to a campus safety coordinator approach to campus safety, replacing the majority of part-time security officers with full-time coordinators.

• Completed the remodel of space within Building S202 at South Campus to support the offering of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/paramedicine courses.

• Completed the remodeling of spaces within Building S202 to house the 12-station welding lab.

• Completed the HEERF-funded window installation project in Building N101 at North Campus providing natural daylighting in spaces on the north and east sides of the building.

• Completed the HEERF-funded Air Handler #3 Replacement Project, which upgraded the HVAC system serving the Teaching Auditorium in Building N105 on North Campus.

• Completed the HEERF-funded N102 2nd Floor West Wing HVAC Upgrade Project which improved HVAC to nine classrooms.

• Completed the CBTC fire alarm system replacement, which incorporated an emergency mass notification system.

• Acquired an additional five acres of land at North Campus to support future program growth.

• Commissioned an immersion simulation lab to benefit continuing education, paramedic, and EMS students.

• Awarded an economic impact grant in the amount of $100,000 to respond more effectively to paramedic shortages through program development and increased use of technology.

3.2 Develop world-class faculty and staff.

• Held all employee meetings and Q&A sessions for College faculty and staff at the beginning of both the spring and fall terms to facilitate communications and build relationships.

• Enhanced communication with employees by sending nine President’s Messages outlining the College’s latest updates and priorities.

• Supported college personnel through the COVID-19 pandemic by following CDC guidance and implementing enhanced disinfection protocols.

• Managed 8,595 hours of individual professional development of employees.

• Participated in the state-level Equity Coach Training Academy to assist colleges with organizational change aimed at improving student success and outcomes.

• Received and completed 262 graphics requests through the graphics request form.

• Trained college staff on procurement, budget management, development and monitoring.

• Launched a new Information Services SharePoint site to support faculty and staff.

• Provided leadership training through Adam White Speaks with over 50 participants and other speakers in addition to diversity, equity, and inclusion events to increase awareness, learning opportunities, and increase personal and professional growth to all levels of RowanCabarrus Community College employees.

• Implemented the Burn Along platform that can be used anywhere and offers, physical, financial, and emotional support to employees and their families. Over 60 employees signed up for the Burn Along platform, and they completed over 700 activity minutes.

• Offered a Wellness fair, onsite vaccination clinics and health checks, which included the Mobile Mammography unit, while supporting employees who were either exposed or tested positive for COVID-19.

• Created a recruiting and retention plan that incorporated a team approach to address selection and hiring choke points and enhance applicant through-put.

• Held recruiting and retention focus groups with over 100 participants to facilitate communications, build relationships, and understand recruiting and retention needs.

• Hired approximately 40 full-time employees and 170 part-time employees while providing New Experience Orientation to over 30 employees.

3.3 Pioneer solutions by anticipating institutional opportunities.

• Applied for and received delegated authority to manage capital projects up to $2,000,000 (previously $500,000).

• Implemented the Paramedic Academy in response to the workforce shortage of paramedics.

• Deployed multi-factor authentication for all college employees.

• Developed new workflows and online forms to support business process improvements.

4. LEAD: How can Rowan-Cabarrus Community College be a catalyst for change?

4.1 Convene critical and strategic conversations about the future of our communities.

• Hosted 10 Rowan Education Collaborative meetings, an innovative community initiative which brings together government and education leaders from across Rowan County to work toward increasing local educational attainment and job opportunities.

• Offered several public safety multi-disciplinary training classes such as Active Assailant Class, Emergency Management 101, and Critical Incident Stress Management in response to Uvalde and other mass casualty incidents.

• Engaged EMS advisory committees and highlevel public safety stakeholders twice annually for strategic conversations.

• Offered 11 classes and served 164 students to educate and inform officers and public safety workers the proper response to individuals suffering a mental health crisis.

• Hosted the RJG Injection Molding Southeastern Region Trade Show.

• Hosted the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers Conference.

• Hosted a North Carolina Manufacturing Institute partner event with over 45 attendees with a workforce presentation from the National Association of Manufacturers.

4.2 Be the leading advocate for community college education.

• Partnered with local news media to send 36 press releases to share the College’s story.

• Launched the Your Future is Here marketing campaign, which included direct mail, billboards and digital advertising.

• Hosted EdNC in September for two days as part of its Great 58 tour.

• Managed the creation and installation of the education pole banners in downtown Salisbury with the Rowan Education Collaborative.

4.3 Strive for continuous improvement by challenging the status quo.

• Recognized the courageous, visionary leadership of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College President Dr. Carol S. Spalding by naming the state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Center the Dr. Carol S. Spalding Advanced Technology Center.

• Executed strategic conversations with the Board of Trustees and local emergency responders, economic development partners and other community stakeholders.

• Assisted with the planning and participated in the third annual G.U.I.D.E. Conference which attracted over 1,000 participants from the internal and external college community.

• Observed Juneteenth with a special event of celebration, education and remembrance, which featured music, speeches, food and fellowship.

• Created a FAFSA ambassador program with the Cabarrus County Chamber of Commerce to increase FAFSA completion rates by partnering with local business leaders.

• Achieved a perfect VA audit with no discrepancies found.

• Invited Salisbury residents to participate in the creation of a community abstract mural project by using their hands rather than brushes. Since each person’s handprint is unique, the project aimed to acknowledge individuals and their identities.

ROWAN-CABARRUS CABINET MEMBERS

Jonathan Chamberlain, BBC Chief Officer, College Environment

Sarah Devlin, MPA Chief Officer of Governance, Advancement & Community Relations

Nekita Eubanks, MSHR Chief Officer of Human Resources

Ken Ingle, MS Chief Officer, Information Services, CIO

Michael Quillen, Ed.D. Vice President of Academic Programs

Natasha Lipscomb, MPA Vice President of Student Success Services

Craig Lamb, MA Vice President of Corporate & Continuing Education

Kelly Kluttz, BS, CPA Chief Financial Officer

FINANCIAL COLLEGE REVENUES

Total Revenues: $70,040,437

Funds appropriated by the State of North Carolina support most College operations. State tuition from all of the 58 community colleges is pooled at the state level and used to fund a portion of each college’s state budget allocations. Curriculum tuition rates are set by the North Carolina General Assembly. The College’s tuition rates did not increase and remain at $76 per credit hour for in-state tuition and $268 per credit hour for out-of-state tuition. The College’s Financial Statements for the year ending June 30, 2022, report operating and non-operating revenues totaling $70,040,437. This includes state current

aid of $39,330,758 and $35,517 for state capital aid. County current appropriations for the year totaled $6,568,573 while county capital aid was $771,749. The remaining revenue was from grants, sales and services receipts and student financial aid monies that are pass-through dollars to the student. Additionally, the total revenue figure includes $2,326,961 in student tuition and fees, but it is important to note that state tuition monies are remitted to the state and not kept by the College.

Total operating revenues for the fiscal year decreased by $2,050,734 over the prior year totaling $2,648,420. This decrease in revenue is primarily due to the usage of Institutional HEERF funds to assist students with tuition. In the following paragraph, you will note an increase in nonoperating revenues related to federal aid - HEERF. Net nonoperating revenue increased by $6,062,556 to $67,392,017 in fiscal year 2022. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $5,937,470 in federal aid – HEERF.

COLLEGE EXPENSES

Total Expenses: $60,775,982

Operating expenses for fiscal year 2022 decreased $774,775 to $60,775,982. The change was primarily due to the decrease associated with salary and benefits $790,438 that is attributable to pension and OPEB estimates.

The College’s net position was $61,357,970, an increase of $9,695,028 from the prior year and capital assets net of related debt was $2,844,485 higher than fiscal year 2021, totaling $100,879,551 for fiscal year 2022. Total operating revenues for the fiscal year decreased

by $2,050,734 over the prior year totaling 2,648,420 at year end while operating expenses also decreased by $774,775 for a total of $60,775,982 at June 30, 2022. Cash and cash equivalents increased by $2,126,782.64 in fiscal year 2022. Restricted cash and cash equivalents increased by $936,479.74. Current receivables, net decreased by $2,173,924.71 but there was an increase of $787,452.43 in total current assets.

In Fiscal 2022, the College helped 5,440 students receive financial aid totaling $14,795,523. The aid included $6,841,121 million in Pell grants which assisted approximately 2,164 students. The College also served and certified 164 veteran students who received $152,202.53 from the Department of Veteran Affairs.

ROWAN-CABARRUS BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Carl M. Short, Jr. | Chair

Cynthia L. Mynatt | Vice Chair

Carol S. Spalding, Ed.D. | President and Secretary to the Board

J. Thomas Bost

Paul A. Brown

Darise D. Caldwell, Ph.D.

Elizabeth Cook

Jeanne A. Dixon

William (Bill) Dusch

Patricia G. Fulcher

Patricia K. Horton

Wilmer Melton, III

Stephen M. Morris

Michelle Patterson

Dakeita Vanderburg

Jasmine Rosenberry | Student Government Association President

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

William (Brian) Hiatt | Chair

Robin Moore | Vice Chair

Kelly Kluttz | Treasurer

Carol Spalding, Ed.D. | Secretary

Karen Alexander

Marjorie Benbow

Paige Crowe

Jeanne Dixon

Michael Fischer

Cathy Floyd

Barbi Jones

Barbara Mallett

Matt Millward

Smita Quinn

P.J. Ricks

Chris Shoemaker

Haylee Shuping

Mark Spitzer

Elaine Spalding

Kristen Trexler

Rowan-Cabarrus Mission:

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College improves lives and builds community through public higher education and workforce development.

Statement of Purpose:

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is an open-door, comprehensive learning-centered institution of higher education serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus counties. The College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, offers affordable occupational and education programs leading to Associate in Arts Degree, Associate in Science Degree, Associate in Fine Arts Degree, Associate in General Education Degree, and Associate in Applied Science Degrees. Diplomas and certificates are awarded for other occupational, adult and continuing education programs. The primary focus of the College’s offerings is on workforce development by meeting the educational needs of the individual and meeting the changing training requirements of business and industrial firms as well as other employers in the service area.

Reflecting its commitment to student learning outcomes, the College strives to inspire its students to increase their knowledge, develop occupational and technical proficiencies, respond to lifelong learning opportunities, and increase their awareness as responsible citizens in a democratic society.

Vision:

Building sustainable futures through the power of learning.

Values:

• Excellence and innovation in education and workforce training;

• Continuous improvement through lifelong learning and achievement;

• Trust, integrity, inclusiveness, and mutual respect;

• Exemplary service through team work;

• Responsibility, sustainability, accountability;

• Leadership, partnership and global citizenship.

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