2023 Annual Report | Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Sixty Years

2023 Forward

Letter from the President Dr. Carol S. Spalding A Year Forward

new North Campus Outdoor Learning Center. This dynamic space will serve both our college community and the community at large as a unique venue for teaching, concerts, and many other events.

60th year of helping people navigate forward. Many, many dedicated and talented people have been a part of the College’s journey, including our faculty and staff, Trustees, Foundation Board members, friends, and benefactors, all of whom share a commitment to accessible education and improving lives.

Throughout the year, Rowan-Cabarrus continued to shine at both the state and national level. Our SkillsUSA and Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate students achieved top honors in national competitions, and a Rowan-Cabarrus student was honored as Outstanding Student of the Year by the N.C. Work-Based Learning Association – a statewide recognition that the College has brought home for the past four out of five years. Our outstanding faculty continued to draw accolades as Dr. Emily Fink and the Rowan-Cabarrus nursing program were national finalists for the prestigious Bellwether Award.

As we commemorated the 20th anniversary of the closure of Pillowtex in Kannapolis, a pivotal event in North Carolina’s history that left 4,000 residents out of work, we reflected on the College’s crucial role in the region’s recovery. As we did then, RowanCabarrus still stands ready and able to respond to local workforce development needs by meeting people where they are and helping them find a path to sustainable employment. Most recently, the College partnered with Eli Lilly and Company to launch a training program to offer BioWork certification for people interested in jobs in biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Our commitment to growth and improvement extended to our facilities with the opening of the

In recognition of these and countless other accomplishments, we were delighted to learn that Rowan-Cabarrus was selected as one of 150 institutions in the nation eligible to compete for the coveted Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

In the pages that follow, you will find highlights of the past year and stories reflecting the College’s resolve, dedication and commitment – the qualities which guide us in helping students reach their goals. We invite you to explore the highlights and stories that exemplify these qualities and showcase the impact of our collective efforts.

For six decades, Rowan-Cabarrus has been a beacon of hope for our students, offering them the opportunity to envision and realize brighter 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.

“For six decades, Rowan-Cabarrus has been a beacon of hope for our students, offering them the opportunity to envision and realize brighter futures.”

– Dr. Carol Spalding

A word from the Board Chair: CYNTHIA MYNATT

It is a privilege to have been warmly welcomed as the new chair of the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Board of Trustees during 2023, and I am particularly humbled to succeed the esteemed Carl M. “Chip” Short, Jr. as he vacates the post after 13 years of service.

As board chair, Chip has been a visionary leader who helped steer the College through an important period of growth and development, shaping its trajectory for years to come. His spirit of progress has been an inspiration to others who share his belief in the power of education.

Rowan-Cabarrus continues to boldly move the needle in our community as an innovative, credible institution that supports the success of businesses, municipalities, and individuals. Its importance increases each year as it carries out its mission of helping people improve their lives through education. Throughout 2023, the College embraced change and overcame challenges, continuing to find new ways to meet the needs of its students, the community, and regional industry.

As many people in the region continued to seek new careers following the COVID-19 pandemic, the College grew to offer new short-term training opportunities in high-demand fields. Additionally, Rowan-Cabarrus provided affordable in-person and online learning options, technology assistance for students who needed it, and partnerships with many four-year institutions who welcome our graduates with seamless transfer of credits and benefits such as guaranteed admission and tuition discounts.

I am proud to continue working with my fellow Trustees and the dedicated leadership at RowanCabarrus 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.

Celebrating the Legacy of Leadership of Board Chair Carl M. Short, Jr.

The College paid tribute to the remarkable leadership of outgoing Board of Trustees Chair Carl M. “Chip” Short, Jr.’s tenure by naming the North Campus Building N106 atrium in his honor.

Short, a partner in the law firm of Woodson, Sayers, Lawther, Short, Parrott and Abramson in Salisbury, has served as Board of Trustees chair for the past 13 years, helping to steer the College through an important period of growth.

In addition to guiding the Board of Trustees for 13 years, he helped drive the completion of North Campus Building N106, making it possible for the College to offer two groundbreaking healthcare programs – occupational therapy assistant and physical therapist assistant – and renovate the radiography and dental labs. He also championed the successful passage of two bond referenda, $9 million in Cabarrus County in 2014 for the construction of the Advanced Technology Center and $45 million in Rowan County in 2020 for the Technology Education Complex. During his tenure, the College also completed the

Outdoor Learning Center project, the fire training grounds, and added acreage to both North and South campuses.

“We thank Chair Short for his dedication to our students, faculty, staff, and community,” said Dr. Carol Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. “We wish him all the best and will continue to build on the exceptional work he has done. His commitment to accessible education and the betterment of lives has made a lasting difference.”

INSTITUTIONAL PROFILE 2023

SUMMER 2022-SPRING 2023

SPRING 2023

1,730

DEGREES, DIPLOMAS & CERTIFICATES AWARDED

8,788 12,072 Curriculum Students Continuing Education Students +

20,860 TOTAL ROWAN-CABARRUS STUDENTS

FULLY ONLINE PROGRAMS

18 5

33 Degrees | Diplomas | Certificates

42

RACE

of Students Receive Financial Aid $76 PER CREDIT HOUR In-State Tuition

549 Part-Time AVERAGE AGE COST

12:1 : STUDENTFACULTY RATIO EMPLOYEES

402 Full -Time

60 Years Strong

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s

Lives and Building Futures

Six decades ago, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College began its journey as one of the pioneering institutions within the North Carolina Community College System. In 1963, the Rowan Industrial Education Center opened its doors, marking the start of a legacy focused on education, workforce development, and community advancement. As we commemorate this momentous anniversary, we pay tribute to the College’s evolution and the multitude of individuals, businesses, and communities that have played an integral role in shaping its impact.

The history of Rowan-Cabarrus is a testament to its commitment to adaptability and expansion. Through four name changes – from the Rowan Industrial Education Center (1961), Rowan Technical Institute (1964), Rowan Technical College (1979), and finally, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (1987) - each name change reflected the institution’s broadening scope and dedication to serving a diverse student population. With five campuses and numerous offcampus sites strategically positioned to serve the community, the College’s 20,000+ annual enrollment is a testament to its commitment to affordable and accessible education.

Today, Rowan-Cabarrus stands as a cornerstone for local economic development, empowering generations with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the ever-changing workforce. Offering 57 fully accredited associate degree programs encompassing diverse fields like business, technology, healthcare, motorsports, engineering, and biotechnology, the College provides pathways to high-tech, rewarding career opportunities. Additionally, the College’s robust online offerings, diploma and certificate programs, and short-term continuing education services cater to a wide range of learners, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all.

Beyond preparing students for careers, RowanCabarrus fosters well-rounded individuals. The College provides a solid general education foundation, preparing students for seamless transfer to fouryear institutions. Rowan-Cabarrus offers the perfect launchpad for those seeking to upskill or embark on new career paths.

Recognizing the profound impact of Rowan-Cabarrus, the College was honored as the Best College in the Salisbury Post Roco Gold 2023 People’s Choice Awards.

Journey

of

Changing

This prestigious accolade reflects the dedication and collective efforts of the College community in serving both students and the wider community, underscoring the significance of its contributions to Rowan County.

“The 60th anniversary of Rowan-Cabarrus marks not just a milestone but a commitment to shaping a future where education empowers individuals and communities. I am honored to be part of an institution that prepares students for diverse careers while fostering an environment that encourages innovation and inclusivity,” said Chair of the Rowan-Cabarrus Board of Trustees Cynthia Mynatt.

This anniversary year also featured the significant event of appointing the College’s first female and first Cabarrus County Board Chair.

In a further demonstration of community appreciation, the College honored the legacy of longstanding Board of Trustees Chair Carl “Chip” M. Short, Jr., who announced he would not seek reelection as Chair. In recognition of his 13 years of dedicated leadership, the Board unveiled the naming of the North Campus Building N106 atrium as “The Carl M. Short, Jr. Atrium,” honoring his enduring service and passion for student success. The atrium features a captivating timeline installation with printed and augmented reality elements, showcasing the College’s rich history and milestones over the last 60 years.

Engaging events for employees and students throughout the year have also encouraged a sense of community and shared pride. One of the 60th anniversary events included an aerial photo capturing faculty and staff forming a “60” on the steps of the new Outdoor Learning Center, which opened on the College’s North Campus in December. These components of the 60th celebration truly embody the College’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to cultivating a vibrant campus environment.

“This is an exciting moment in the history of RowanCabarrus Community College. Our 60th anniversary is not merely a celebration; it serves as a catalyst for further growth and innovation,” said Rowan-Cabarrus President Dr. Carol Spalding. “With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Rowan-Cabarrus promises to continue transforming lives, strengthening communities, and shaping the future for generations to come.”

Ready For the Next Sixty Years

A Message from President Emeritus, Dr. Dick Brownell

Dear RCCC Students and Colleagues,

When stationed in Japan, during my Marine Corps career, I learned that a sixty-year anniversary is a very special occasion. That cultural tradition can be traced back to the ancient Japanese calendar which ran out every sixty years and had to be continually renewed. Each sixty-year renewal was regarded as a time of rebirth and advancement. This is a positive way to think about our anniversary. RCCC has come a long way in the last sixty years and should enter the next sixty with enthusiasm.

I accepted the presidency of Rowan Technical Institute in 1977 at a challenging time. Community college systems had been established and were flourishing in many parts of the nation but were stifled in North Carolina by a powerful political lobby. Rowan Tech was then a 900- student, single- campus, Salisbury-based, higher education-accredited institute offering many excellent programs. Yet, it was not accepted locally as a member of the higher education community and was seen as a threat to private colleges and business schools.

That negative environment was transformed in subsequent years by the visionary and persuasive efforts of a president, trustees, faculty, and staff that won the support of influential community leaders in Rowan and Cabarrus counties. Broad support enabled the creation of the first, and only, locally organized multicampus two county community college in North Carolina. Thousands of students came through the open doors of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to achieve academic goals that enhanced their lives as well as the economy of our region. Presiding over these turbulent and transformational years was the greatest challenge and privilege of my presidency.

Today, RCCC continues to thrive, led by Dr. Spalding, another transformational president. Building upon an established foundation, she boldly led the college in to the technological age, achieving increasing excellence and national recognition. She addressed the academic challenges of the pandemic with a host of online courses. Today, the college continues to offer expanded and more varied educational opportunities.

RCCC is confident and prepared for the next sixty years. READY! SET! GO!

Dick Brownell President Emeritus

Celebrating Student Success Journey to Completion

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2023 at its 59th Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, May 13. This year’s event marked the College’s return to holding its graduation at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord.

“We were excited to return to the Cabarrus Arena for our graduation ceremony as we celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2023,” said Dr. Carol Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. “It’s been a long journey of navigating our way through the COVID-19 pandemic – keeping our distance, managing how many people can gather and tracking community health levels. It felt great to finally be able to come together and celebrate under one roof.” The ceremony unfolded before a captivated audience, filled to its brim with friends and family enthusiastically cheering on the graduates’ remarkable achievements.

There were 1,235 students eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony who earned associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates and 125 High School Equivalency/Adult High School students who completed their diplomas during the Summer 2022, Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 academic terms. Approximately 500 curriculum and High School Equivalency/Adult High School graduates participated in the ceremony.

The event honored students completing one of the College’s degree programs, as well as those eligible for specific program diplomas and certificates, and those who have completed high school equivalency or adult high school requirements.

The graduates ranged in age from 17 to 66 (average age was 23). Thirty-five percent of the graduates lived in Rowan County, with 49 percent from Cabarrus County and 16 percent in other counties.

Graduates participated in a traditional ceremony, wearing their caps, gowns, and honorary regalia with family, friends, and other guests seated in the audience. The College streamed the ceremony live on its Facebook page.

2023 Graduation included more than 500 graduates.

Gabrielle Brown, president of the Rowan-Cabarrus Student Government Association, was the commencement speaker. Brown is a Rowan County native and a 2021 graduate of the Rowan County Homeschool Association. She graduated with an Associate in Arts degree and plans to transfer to Catawba College to pursue a degree in political science and pre-law studies. She aspires to attend law school and become an attorney.

During her speech, Brown reminded her fellow graduates, “When you made a choice to attend RowanCabarrus, you said yes to exciting possibilities. But signing up for classes or even walking across this stage is not what got you your degree. You accomplished this by showing up every day and taking small steps to get you where you wanted to go.” She continued, “Those daily choices were an investment in yourself, your future, and the generations to come. This investment in your education will change the trajectory of your life and that of your family for generations to come.”

In addition to celebrating graduates, the College also recognized its nominees for three prestigious community college state awards including: Academic Excellence Award nominee Terra Daisy, North Carolina Dallas Herring Achievement Award nominee Brielle Long, and Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award nominee Jeremy Post.

Two outstanding faculty members also were recognized as winners of the College’s Excellence in Teaching Award including Jessica Fowler, Excellence in Teaching Award recipient for full-time faculty and Laura Collander, Excellence in Teaching Award recipient for part-time faculty.

Spalding added, “It was an honor to hand the graduates of the Class of 2023 their diplomas. They have so much to celebrate and should be so very proud of their accomplishments. I wish them success in their future endeavors as they continue to navigate forward.”

From Crisis Response to Community Renewal

Reflecting on the 20th Anniversary of North

Carolina’s

Largest One-Day Layoff

The closure of Pillowtex on July 30, 2003, marked a devastating loss to Cabarrus and Rowan counties, leaving nearly 4,000 residents suddenly unemployed. In response, a collaborative effort led by RowanCabarrus Community College, local government and workforce development agencies emerged to provide support and hope to those affected. Despite being the largest single-day job loss in North Carolina history, this regional response set a precedent for addressing mass layoffs.

Reflecting on the 20th anniversary and celebrating the award-winning progress that the Kannapolis area has experienced in the decades since, Spalding sat down for a recorded conversation with Hinnant and Jeanie Moore, who was then Rowan-Cabarrus Vice President of Corporate and Continuing Education.

“We thought it would be a fleeting project, but it became a defining mission for us. People changed their perspective of the community college,” Moore said of the College’s response to the closing.

“People were in shock,” remembers Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant, who was new to the Kannapolis City Council at the time of the closure. “They had tears dripping off their chins. Some were collapsing on the sidewalk. They had no clue what they were going to do.”

Kannapolis, initially built around Cannon Mills, saw generations of residents employed by the mill. The closure announcement, amidst bankruptcy rumors, shocked the community, prompting immediate action from local agencies. The response initiative evolved into the Rowan-Cabarrus R3 Career Services Center, providing job counseling, skills training, and educational opportunities tailored to job seekers’ needs which still exists two decades later.

“The College is, and has always been, ready and able to respond to workforce development needs in our community,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. “One of our top priorities is and always has been to meet people where they are and prepare them for successful employment.”

The challenge to help thousands of people find jobs was complicated: Nearly half of the laid-off workers had not completed high school, many were in their 40s or older and had worked at the mill for decades, and the majority did not want to relocate.

Then, as today, Rowan-Cabarrus was able to deliver a variety of options for education and job transition, from short-term training for positions in healthcare, manufacturing and construction trades, to GED and English as a Second Language instruction. Programs such as welding technology and heating and refrigeration experienced large enrollment increases then and still enjoy popularity among students of all ages today.

Driving Innovation

College’s Presence on the North Carolina Research Campus Leads the Way with BioWork Certificates and an AI-Focused Incubator

As the Dr. Carol S. Spalding Advanced Technology Center celebrates its fifth year of innovation, the cutting-edge facility and adaptable workspaces became a hub of activity for corporations eyeing relocation or expansion into the region.

Among them was Eli Lilly and Company, which announced a $1 billion investment in a new, one-million-square-foot campus in Concord to manufacture injectable products and devices. In response to this investment, the College swiftly launched a BioWork certificate program that equips students with the skills required to begin a career as process technicians for a biotechnology, pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing company. The short-term training program can lead to a career with competitive pay, benefits, and a state-of-the-art working environment.

“The BioWork program is one more critical piece as the College responds to industry needs and prepares the workforce of the future,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. “We have programs in place to train employees for a variety of general manufacturing roles, and the BioWork program and other training initiatives are designed to meet the detailed needs of specific industries.”

Biotechnology isn’t the only new focus at the Advanced Technology Center. In addition to staying at the forefront of manufacturing technology through the Okuma Machine Tool Academy and state-of-the-art plastic injection molding training in partnership with RJG, Inc., the College is now leading the way in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector by participating in the

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Incubator Network, a national initiative launched by Intel, Dell Technologies and the American Association of Community Colleges. The College’s participation in this program showcases its proactive approach to addressing emerging industry trends with the goal of equipping graduates with the skills needed for jobs in the growing AI job market.

Artificial intelligence is implemented in computers and machines designed to perform tasks that mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of humans. Examples of everyday applications include parking assist features on motor vehicles, digital assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa, and products such as popular robot vacuum cleaners.

“There is no question that the artificial intelligence job market is growing rapidly as the demand for products using this technology increases,” said Rowan-Cabarrus Chief Information Officer Zackary Hubbard. “Creating a workforce of people with the technical skills to work in these roles will be critical as the field continues to expand.”

As the College continues to look for innovative ways to move forward and help the community grow, the Advanced Technology Center will always be at the forefront of this initiative. It is vital for the health of both Rowan and Cabarrus County to have industryfocused training available, resulting in a skilled workforce in high-paying jobs. The commitment to both BioWork and AI initiatives demonstrates how Rowan-Cabarrus responds to new industries and pathways, creating unique opportunities for the community.

Empowering Futures

Expanded Welding Program Drives High-Tech, High-Wage Opportunities in Cabarrus County

Among the many Rowan-Cabarrus Community College programs that lead to lucrative employment, welding is enjoying a renewed popularity with the influx of manufacturing facilities, industry needs and a growing regional economy.

The College’s welding program has experienced increased demand leading to the expansion of the program to a new lab at South Campus in 2023. The College held a ribbon-cutting to unveil the lab, hosting representatives of the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, the Rowan-Cabarrus Board of Trustees and other guests.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology such as virtual reality welding machines, the new lab promises to offer students an immersive learning experience. Cabarrus County’s investment of $330,000 toward the renovation underscores the collaborative efforts to empower the workforce with essential skills tailored to industry needs.

The Rowan-Cabarrus Community College welding program produced the first graduating class when the institution opened 60 years ago and has a reputation for sending skilled employees into the workforce. Today’s welding students, and the opportunities available to them, look different than ever before with a resurgence of interest in trade jobs that are in high demand and pay well. More women are entering the field, and welding processes now incorporate advanced technology including computerized equipment and robotics.

The Rowan-Cabarrus welding program has a track record of producing highly skilled professionals who are sought after by employers across various sectors. Graduates of the welding program enjoy career opportunities in construction, manufacturing, fabrication, sales, quality control, supervision, inspection and more. Welding positions offer a steady income, diverse career options and job security.

Welders are employed in a variety of settings, including motor vehicle and parts manufacturing, motorsports, construction and structural manufacturing, transportation, commercial and industrial machinery and equipment, and more. Many welders also open their own businesses,

work as sales representatives, or are employed as technicians and repair specialists.

With an influx of new businesses in the region and many current workers nearing retirement age, the need for skilled welders continues to increase. The job market for welding occupations in Cabarrus County is projected to grow more than 15 percent during the next decade, outpacing state and national expectations.

“The opening of the new welding lab comes at the perfect time, as Cabarrus County continues to grow and draw more industry,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. “We are thankful for the county’s support and look forward to preparing students for lucrative employment and filling the needs of businesses looking for skilled employees. The Cabarrus County program has been so popular that it already has a wait list for enrollment.”

Welding students are exposed to a variety of opportunities and experiences while attending Rowan-Cabarrus, including campus visits from successful professionals.

During 2023, the College hosted welder-fabricator Stephanie Hoffman-Wedding, known to many from her time as a judge on the Netflix show, “Metal Shop Masters.” She spoke about her career, demonstrated her skills and inspired students.

Welding students also enjoyed hearing from Amourette McDonagh, owner of Black Moon Welding, who talked about her journey to becoming a welder and her experience working in the unique field of space exploration. She explained the history, processes and technologies used to overcome the welding challenges involved with manufacturing and launching rockets, equipment repairs, maintenance and more.

Setting the Standard

Celebrating State and National Achievements in Academic Excellence and Student Success

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College faculty, staff and students received recognition statewide and across the nation as a result of the College’s dedication to academic excellence, student success and workforce development.

Aspen Institute: Top 150 Community College Nationwide

The Aspen Institute named Rowan-Cabarrus Community College as one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The top 150 colleges have achieved high and improving levels of success for all students, showing strong outcomes in retention, credentials awarded, and completion and transfer rates. With only approximately 15 percent of community colleges nationwide receiving this prestigious invitation, RowanCabarrus’s selection reinforces its commitment to empowering students to realize their aspirations.

“Being selected as a competitor for this prestigious award underscores our unwavering commitment to student success,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. “We are dedicated to ensuring that our students have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.”

SkillsUSA

Rowan-Cabarrus students captured ten top honors at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta. Brent Offenberger earned a silver medal in the plumbing competition, and Joshua Wood earned a silver medal in the sheet metal category. Ashley Gaddy and Crystal Rice were awarded bronze medals in the commercial sUAS drone competition, marking the first time the College has competed in this contest nationally. Kyle Benkendorf placed seventh in the industrial motor control competition. The conference brought together approximately 5,200 outstanding career and technical education state contest winners to compete in more than 100 different hands-on trade, technical and leadership fields.

Work-Based Learning Student of the Year

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College information technology student Kendrick Steele was named the 2023 William D. Weston Outstanding Student of the Year by the North Carolina Work-Based Learning Association, marking the fourth time in five years that a Rowan-Cabarrus student has won the state award. Steele interned with Lutheran Services Carolinas, a health and human services organization that assists senior citizens in North Carolina and children and families in North and South Carolina. There, he kept the computer network operating efficiently and was a key contributor to a network expansion project that provided senior residents their own access points in their rooms in Lutheran Services facilities. Soon after his internship, he was offered a permanent position at Lutheran Services Carolinas and recently was promoted to the role of IT security technician.

Excellence in Teaching

Full-time math instructor Jessica Fowler and part-time English instructor Laura Collander were honored as the College’s 2022-2023 Excellence in Teaching award recipients. The awards recognize superior faculty members who exceed expected levels of instruction and elevate educational excellence and student success. Students initiate the nomination process for the award annually by recommending their top instructors. Final nominees submit an extensive portfolio, letters of recommendation and complete an unannounced, filmed observation.

National Board Representation

Chief Information Services Officer Zack Hubbard was appointed to serve on the board of directors of the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC) through 2027. The NCATC is a network of higher education resources promoting the use of technology applications that enhance economic and workforce development programs and services. The organization includes more than 170 member institutions ranging from colleges and universities to corporations.

Director of Nursing Programs Dr. Emily Fink was appointed to serve on the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) board of commissioners through 2025. The ACEN supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice and the public by providing specialized accreditation standards for all levels of nursing education and transition-to-practice programs.

Future Business Leaders of America/Phi Beta Lambda

Members of the Rowan-Cabarrus Future Business Leaders of America/Phi Beta Lambda – Collegiate Chapter recently competed against students from across the United States at the 2023 FBLA-Collegiate National Leadership Conference in Atlanta. Ebony McGee captured first place for Client Services, Jeremy Post and Caleb Schell won second place in Accounting Case Study, and Caleb Schell won ninth place in Foundations of Accounting. The Rowan-Cabarrus Chapter also received the National Gold Seal Chapter Award, and students won three individual awards. Chad Nichols and Brad Scott are chapter advisors.

NCOTA Award Winners

Faculty, students and alumni won awards at the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Assistant Conference:

+ Cathy Zanowski, Innovation Award

+ Jeannie Burgess, Outstanding Practice – Community Service Award

+ Tammy Blackburn, Distinguished OTA Award

+ Aliza Simpson, Student Award

+ Sierra Ratliff and Summer Stamey, Second Place, Assistive Technology/Adaptive Equipment

Jessica Fowler

Full-time Math Instructor

Laura Collander

Part-time English Instructor

Continuing Education Climbs Another Short-Term Training Provider in North

The Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Corporate and Continuing Education division has garnered acclaim for fostering many opportunities within Rowan and Cabarrus counties. From licensing and certifications to personal enrichment and developing business partnerships, the division is dedicated to serving our community’s diverse training needs.

Growth and innovation continue to be the trends for Corporate and Continuing Education programs, with increasing enrollment led by Emergency Medical Science, Basic Law Enforcement Training, and Certified Nursing Assistant programs. The Continuing Education division is currently the third largest in terms of headcount and FTE in North Carolina.

In 2023, the College’s Continuing Education and Information Services departments culminated a multi-year collaboration, unveiling the innovative Destiny One online registration system for continuing education students. This cutting-edge enrollment and course management platform streamlines the registration process, ensuring unparalleled accessibility to the wealth of offerings available

at Rowan-Cabarrus. Notably, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College stands as the sole institution in North Carolina to achieve full integration with Destiny One, providing all students with effortless online registration capabilities.

The College’s R3 Center (Refocus, Retrain, Re-employ) proudly granted numerous continuing education students with scholarships. A convergence of heightened student aspirations for career transitions, coupled with substantial backing from the College, Rowan-Cabarrus Foundation, and a myriad of state, federal, and local resources, has facilitated an upsurge in the accessibility of financial aid for aspiring learners at Rowan-Cabarrus. Notably, resources from initiatives such as the Short-term Workforce Development (STWD) fund and the Better Jobs for Better Lives program have played a pivotal role in furnishing students with vital assistance, spanning tuition, books, uniforms, supportive services and emergency aid.

The College’s Business Services team maintains robust partnerships with economic development

483 COMPANIES SERVED 2,589 COURSE SECTIONS DELIVERED 53,842 TOTAL REGISTRATIONS

Another Spot as the Third Largest North Carolina

agencies in Rowan and Cabarrus counties, fostering a collaborative approach to regional growth. Recent revelations of businesses establishing and expanding their presence in the area signify substantial investments, necessitating tailored training initiatives to address specific skill demands. Proactively, the team advocates for and manages various opportunities, including customized training and incumbent worker grants, empowering employers to bridge skill gaps and sustain competitiveness within their respective industries.

1,390 = SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

$412,346

5,412 individuals 39,990 registrations SMALL

94 client firms counseled 65 workshops held

The Small Business Center

Rivers and Ridges: An Entrepreneurial Adventure

Rooted in Passion and Community

Embarking on a business venture together can be a thrilling, yet intimidating endeavor for any couple. But newlyweds and Rowan County residents Sara and Nick Freeman are no stranger to taking on adventure together. In fact, it was during the early stages of their relationship when they embarked on a weekend backpacking trip, solidifying their connection and igniting their shared passion for adventure.

With the help of the RowanCabarrus Small Business Center, the couple made their dream a rewarding reality as they launched Rivers and Ridges, a fly fishing guide service and outdoor adventure company.

Sara and Nick both bring hospitality backgrounds to their new venture and have an end goal of establishing a full lodge to align with their vision of creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

“My goal with Rivers and Ridges was always to educate people on fly fishing, but it was also to create a fulfilling career. I never saw myself as a teacher, but it is so rewarding to see clients progress throughout the day as they learn the techniques we teach them.”

– Nick Freeman

As they embarked on their entrepreneurial journey, they faced the challenge of narrowing down their ideas and determining what was feasible for getting started. They turned to Megan Smit, director of the Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center, who became an invaluable source of guidance, encouragement and practical assistance.

Through the Small Business Center, Sara and Nick had access to resources and programs that proved essential to their success. They utilized templates for creating a business plan, attended informative workshops and were introduced to an accelerator program specific to their industry.

Now fully operational, Rivers and Ridges focuses on providing memorable experiences for newcomers and families with both half-day and full-day fly fishing trips with all gear provided.

“I interact with entrepreneurs on a daily basis, and they have this mindset of problem solving and thinking outside of the box. The people I’m surrounded by have given me community and inspiration and the drive to move forward.”

– Sara Freeman

S.O.A.R Students Work in South Campus Café to Prepare for Hospitality Careers

Students Learn About Food Preparation, Customer Service, Sanitation and Workplace Safety

Students in the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College S.O.A.R. (Skills, Opportunity, Awareness, Readiness) program are now able to prepare for jobs in the hospitality industry by participating in a food service training program at the College’s South Campus. The S.O.A.R. program serves adults with intellectual disabilities.

A culinary class called Food Service Fundamentals covers various facets of food preparation and service, with students getting hands-on training by conducting the daily operations of the South Campus café. Students staff the café for breakfast and lunch under the direction of instructor and hospitality industry veteran Stephanie Dunlap.

“The South Campus café serves as a learning lab where students enrolled in our food service course can hone their skills and prepare to work in a variety of food service settings,” said Dr. Carol Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. “We are proud of this innovative approach that combines classroom and

hands-on instruction so that these students can build confidence in food preparation, serving, safety, and customer service.”

Students progress at their own pace as they learn to work the register, take orders, prepare food, and provide customer service. In addition, they receive training in food service terminology, proper sanitation and other requirements so that they can earn the industry recognized ServSafe Food Handlers certification and be prepared for employment in the hospitality industry. The class also offers instruction in cooking for themselves at home.

“I am so impressed with these students, and it is beyond rewarding to see them succeed,” Dunlap said. “They are exceptionally good at remembering people’s names and making them feel welcome, and that is extremely important in this industry. I see them at their happiest when they are constantly busy serving customers.”

The Rowan-Cabarrus S.O.A.R. program, which began in 2011 and has served well over 200 students in Rowan County, focuses on helping individuals become more independent 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.

THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, THE FOUNDATION:

Awarded academic or emergency scholarships to over 900 students, totaling nearly

$350,000

$37,200 Supported 40 Student Impact Grants since 2016, totaling 500 testing vouchers for High School Equivalency students

Contact Foundation Director Connie Rheinecker at 704-216-3485 or foundation@rccc.edu.

Supported $4.3 million in assets endowed scholarships totaling over WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU CAN HELP?

holds nearly 60 of the Foundation’s

A Message from the Foundation Board Chair

ROBIN MOORE

As the Rowan-Cabarrus Foundation embarks on another year of dedicated service to our community, I am profoundly grateful to our donors and friends of the College for your steadfast commitment and invaluable contributions. Your unwavering support ensures that our students, faculty, and staff have the vital resources they need to move the needle forward.

Over the past year, despite challenges with a reduction in federal funding of direct student support, our collective efforts have propelled us forward towards fulfilling our mission. We made significant strides in providing student scholarships, emergency funding grants to retain students during times of need, and student impact grants for faculty and staff initiatives.

We celebrated the opening of the Outdoor Learning Center, a beautiful learning and event space that both the Rowan-Cabarrus community and our extended community will enjoy for years to come, thanks to

the generosity of the Cannon Charitable Interests and friends of the College. In the past year alone, over nine hundred students received scholarship assistance from the Foundation, breaking down financial barriers and empowering them to pursue their academic and career aspirations. Your investment in their education not only empowers them to achieve personal success but also strengthens our community by cultivating a skilled and educated workforce.

I am truly honored to serve as the Chair of the RowanCabarrus Foundation Board, and I am continually inspired by the passion and commitment that the faculty and staff have for the mission of the College. Looking ahead, the Foundation remains committed to prudent stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. Your belief in the transformative power of education inspires us every day, and we are privileged to have you as partners in our journey towards creating a brighter future for Rowan and Cabarrus counties.

A Sense of Belonging

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has committed to advancing a sense of belonging within its diverse community. Building upon the recently introduced 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, the College is committed to creating an inclusive environment where students, faculty, and staff can thrive. The College’s Strategic Plan outlines the institution’s mission, vision, and values and places a new spotlight on the essential theme of belonging. As the College serves over 20,000 students annually, its commitment to affordability, accessibility, and excellence in education remains unwavering. The five strategic themes – Learn, Engage, Innovate, Lead, and Belong – serve as the guiding principles for shaping sustainable futures through the power of learning. In the pursuit of academic and career goals, the institution recognizes that creating a sense of belonging is a key element. By celebrating differences and embracing unique perspectives, the College ensures everyone feels welcomed and valued.

To align its physical spaces to enhance the student experience, Rowan-Cabarrus launched The Compass, a pilot groundbreaking initiative that echoes the theme of belonging. Housed in the North Campus Learning Resource Center, The Compass will be more than a physical space; it represents a commitment to inclusivity and collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. The Compass will be designed to be an innovative and all-inclusive space where individuals can co-work, access College resources, engage with student life, and more. The space houses resources for tutoring, a copy center, touchdown workspaces, coffee, snacks, and essential services

like laptop check-out and ID badge services. Beyond the physical attributes, The Compass is home to a dedicated Student Support team ready to assist students, including Navigators, Help Desk staff, and IT technical support professionals. This team, available during expanded service hours, reflects the College’s commitment to providing support and fostering a community where everyone feels they belong.

Further solidifying the commitment to belonging, Rowan-Cabarrus hosted the fourth installment of its annual G.U.I.D.E. Conference on Friday, November 17, 2023. This virtual event invited the public to a day of enlightenment and empowerment through meaningful discussions, sharing valuable insights, and collectively advancing discussion about creating a sense of belonging in higher education. The conference featured breakout sessions on achieving health equity, understanding and combatting covert racism in the workplace, supporting undocumented students, inclusive leadership, and more. Commencing with a warm welcome from President Dr. Carol Spalding, the event included a poetic recitation by North Carolina’s ninth Poet Laureate, Jaki Shelton Green, and a keynote message by Dr. Jane Elliott, an internationally known lecturer. Dr. Elliott’s work, recognized with the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education, focuses on prejudice and bigotry as class systems rooted in arbitrary factors. Under the topic of “Breaking Barriers and Leading Change: Perspectives from Women Presidents in Higher Education,” the lunch panel discussion provided insights from accomplished leaders who have made significant

“The College has a long-standing commitment to creating a culture of inclusivity and a campus filled with students, faculty and staff who reflect the communities we serve.”

– Dr. Carol Spalding, President

contributions to the field, further emphasizing the College’s dedication to breaking down barriers.

Belonging is not just a concept but a commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and an integral part of the college family. Together, these types of initiatives propel RowanCabarrus toward a future where the sense of belonging is not just a goal but a lived reality, echoing the College’s commitment to inspiring students, building community, and shaping sustainable futures through the power of learning.

XXXXXX

Transfer Students at a Glance

TOP 5 UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS

IN ARTS

“Thanks to the expertise and dedication of the College’s faculty, our transfer students are highly sought after by universities across our state, and they consistently perform well. The commitment that we receive from our university partners is invaluable, and together we are helping graduate the future of North Carolina.”

– Dr. Michael Quillen, Vice President of Academic Programs

TRANSFER PROGRAMS

IN ARTS IN TEACHER PREPARATION

LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

students stayed local by transferring to 231 nearly

TOP TRANSFER DEGREES

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Appalachian State University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

North Carolina State University

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

The phenomenon of starting college at community college by earning an associate’s degree and transferring to a four-year institution to complete a four-year degree has become the top choice for many students. Aware of the enormous financial savings, the higher university success rates, and the streamlined process for transitioning from community college to beyond has inspired a generation of students to make the best choice for their academic futures.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a leader in transfer success with countless options for students to transfer into public or independent institutions to help them achieve their career goals. Beginning with the completion of an associate’s degree, it not only helps students make sound financial decisions, but it prepares them with academic, social and professional foundations they need to be successful. For over ten years, North Carolina’s community college transfer students have outperformed their peer groups across the state’s universities.

The College is part of many strong transfer agreements, including the statewide Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) with the UNC System. This agreement guarantees transfer admission 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, and governs the transfer of credits to ensure that students enter with all general education courses met. RowanCabarrus Community College is also part of the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA), a statewide agreement that provides the

same transfer guarantees with dozens of the state’s independent colleges and universities. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is also part of statewide transfer agreements for the Associate in Early Childhood (A.A.S.), Associate in Engineering (A.E.), Associate in Fine Art in Visual Arts (A.F.A.), Associate Degree Nursing (A.A.S.), and Associate in Teacher Preparation (A.A.T.P. and A.S.T.P.)

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

+ Fayetteville State University (Fire Protection Technology)

+ Cabarrus College of Health Sciences (multiple healthcare pathways)

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

+ Gardner-Webb University (Nursing)

+ Lees-McRae (Criminal Justice Technology)

+ Livingstone College (Teacher Preparation)

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

+ UNC Charlotte 49erNext (guaranteed admission program)

+ UNC Wilmington Pathway to Excellence (guaranteed admission program)

+ Wingate University Gateway to Wingate (transfer for dozens of pathways)

ESTIMATED ANNUAL TUITION COST COMPARISON (12 Credit Hours/Semester)

$34,400

ROWAN-CABARRUS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

$7,908

$3,864

Tuition-Free Classes Provide Opportunities for High School Students

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Career and College Promise (CCP) program offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college classes at no cost to them. The program has been a successful partnership between the College and the K-12 school systems, offering three pathways for students to earn certificates, diplomas, degrees, or industry-recognized credentials. These pathways include the Career and Technical Education pathway, the College Transfer Pathway and the Cooperative Innovative High School Program.

The College also supports three early college high school programs in partnership with Cabarrus and Rowan counties. These programs simultaneously allow students to graduate with their high school diploma and an associate degree from RowanCabarrus.

According to Dr. Carol Spalding, president of the College, “The Career and College Promise program provides students a tremendous opportunity to accelerate their educational journey, preparing them for their future with free college classes.”

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).

Since 2016, CCP students have had an average GPA of 2.80 while earning, on average, 29.25

In the 2022-23 academic year, Rowan-Cabarrus served credit hours upon high school graduation.

3,744 CCP students

910 Early College students &

acting as a valuable resource for the K-12 school systems to create more opportunities for students to excel.

Rowan-Cabarrus Receives Grant to Expand Paramedic Program

A $100,000 grant from the North Carolina Community College System’s Expanding Community College Economic Impact grant program is making it possible for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to expand its paramedic program to the South Campus in Cabarrus County. The program previously served paramedic students exclusively at its North Campus in Salisbury.

The program expansion is an effort to train more Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers, which include paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), in order to address a shortage of paramedics locally and across the state. While paramedics and EMTs both provide life-saving services, the paramedic program is an expanded credential that includes additional training and course hours.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is the eighth largest community college in North Carolina, but since 2018, it has tripled its EMS program enrollment – making it the second-largest EMS program in the state.

“Rowan-Cabarrus is pleased to be able to expand our paramedic program offering with this innovative model,” said Dr. Carol Spalding, president of RowanCabarrus Community College. “Paramedics play a critical role in our communities, and the need for them continues to grow – locally and statewide. We are grateful for the services they provide and happy to be able to support our community in this way.”

The expansion introduces a new academy-style instructional format, solving both acute and chronic problems in the workforce needs of paramedics. Similar to an apprenticeship-style program, the Cabarrus County paramedic program is one of the first of its kind implemented in the state. The former paramedic program model required 12-15 months to complete. Then, students were required to find employment and participate in an intensive orientation and probation period. The new Cabarrus County academy-style model works with agencies to enroll employed EMTs in a six- to eight-month paramedic program.

High School Equivalency

Program Provides a Second Chance for Those Looking to Pursue Their Education

Not long ago, Elijah Eddie juggled work, family responsibilities and studying for his GED. It wasn’t easy, but the payoff was worth the sacrifice as he graduated from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s High School Equivalency (HSE) program and obtained his GED. “It took motivation, desire, a lot of coffee, and a nap here and there, but if you really want to get it done, you will,” he said.

Elijah’s story isn’t unlike many who come to RowanCabarrus looking for a second chance to obtain their GED. Many students are working multiple jobs, caring for loved ones at home, and trying to carve out time to study in what’s left of their day. But, the High School Equivalency program is designed for those adult students who need a little extra help to take their next steps.

The program is designed for adult students who test above a ninth-grade level in math and reading but have yet to obtain a high school diploma. It 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.

“The High School Equivalency and Adult High School programs are tailored to meet students at their current level of readiness,” says Darrell Graham, Lead Instructor of the HSE program. “Often, students simply require someone to have faith in their abilities and guide them through the next stages. This is where our role becomes crucial, as we offer a solid groundwork for them to advance on their educational path.”

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

Student Engagement: Creating a Culture of Belonging

Students at Rowan-Cabarrus found many opportunities to become more actively engaged with the College in 2023. Through culturally focused events, educational series on life skills, and opportunities to represent the College at the state level, students grew and connected with each other.

$5 Fridays is a regular event allowing students to travel to different parts of the state for the low cost of only $5. Locations included a trip to the Biltmore Estate and the North Carolina mountains for apple picking. Creating low-cost events for all students to travel and see different parts of the state helps foster a culture of opportunity.

The College also hosted events focused on international growth and understanding, including a celebration of Dio de los Muertos, showcasing the history of that day. Additional events featured a Rumbao Latin dance performance, Black History Month Music, Bingo and Trivia and a celebration of Juneteenth for all College students, faculty and staff.

In addition to these cultural events, several learning series were presented to provide students with knowledge and resources for tackling life’s challenges. Both a Life Hack and Safety series were launched, featuring topics such as how to eat healthy on a budget, being thrifty with your financial resources and CPR/First Aid training.

At the state level, Rowan-Cabarrus was proud to support its Student Government Association representatives as they traveled to Durham for the 2023 North Carolina Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association (N4CSGA) Conference. Students Charlie Young, Fernando Alcaide Luevanos, Persephone Houston, Tabitha Harry and Gabrielle Brown, along with Student Life and Leadership Director Barb Meidl and Executive Director of Student Success and Title IX Coordinator Jonathan Rowe attended. Additionally, Tabitha Harry was elected N4CSGA Central Division Chair for the 20232024 academic year.

Student Ambassadors: Representing the College on Campus and in the Community

Each year, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College selects a group of outstanding students to represent the College as Student Ambassadors. These students play a vital role in reaching out to prospective students, engaging with current students at campus events, assisting with the successful transition of new students and serving as liaisons with the community.

Shiva Aryal is pursuing his Associate in Science degree and plans to continue his studies at a four-year institution in biology and pharmacy. He chose RowanCabarrus for the convenience of going to school close to home while still getting a quality education. “I love my educational journey here,” he said.

Persephone Houston is pursuing a career as a dental assistant. She chose RowanCabarrus because it was costeffective and local. “Don’t be afraid to step out of your norm,” she says. “That is what you have to do to grow as a person.”

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. The Student Life and Leadership team directs the Ambassadors during their time of service to the College.

Amelia Camacho is an Associate in Arts student who plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She says RowanCabarrus offers opportunities to experience personal growth along with academics. “Be active in Student Life, as there has to be a balance between academics and social life,” she advised.

Josh Argueta is an Associate in Science student with the ultimate goal of obtaining a medical degree specializing in pediatric neurology. He chose Rowan-Cabarrus to save money while prioritizing his education. “Even campus events have been helpful in uplifting me in times of stress,” he said.

Nattellie Anderson is majoring in biology in preparation for pre-med studies. She chose Rowan-Cabarrus Early College to get ahead on her credits and earn her associate degree during high school. “Rowan-Cabarrus is somewhere that everyone can be included,” she said.

Emely Reyes Cabrera is an Early College student pursuing an Associate in Arts degree at RowanCabarrus with the goal of becoming a respiratory therapist. “I would advise students to build good relationships with instructors,” she says. “They are there to help YOU succeed!”

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 2023 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

ADW Architects

Cindy Alcombright

Greg and Melissa Alcorn

Henry and Karen Alexander

Keri Allman

American Online Giving Foundation

Kelli Antonides

APCO Signs

Armstrong Mechanical Services, Inc.

Michael and Pearl Asbury

Jim and Sheena Atkinson

Backcountry & Beyond

Emily and Patrick Webster Baldwin

Lynda Banks

Kim Barnett

Wendy Barnhardt

Brian Barringer

Ernie and Margaret Britton Beall

Carlene Bean

Amanda Beasley

Jan Beatty

Tripp and Carol Beaver

Amanda Belleville

Ben Mynatt Family of Dealerships

Andra Bennett

Miriam Berrospi-Kish

Robert Betler

Eddie and Trudy Beverly

Jenny Billings

Billy Harrison Revocable Trust

Gary and Deirdre Blabon

The Blackbaud Giving Fund

Wilbert Blackman

Jennifer Board

Jenny Bodenheimer

The Bogle Firm Architecture, PLLC

Dan and Teena Boone

Jan Boone

Ronnye Boone

Tom and Rochelle Bost

Traci Bost

Ben Brown

Paul and Melissa Brown

Cass Buczek

The Budd Group

Kirby Bullard

Howard Byrd

Cabarrus Brewing Company

Ross Cain

Paul and Margaret Campbell

The Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust

Cannon Baller Foundation, Inc.

The Cannon Foundation, Inc.

Canteen

Carolina Precision Technologies, LLC

Casco Signs

Kelly Castelloe

Adeline Caton

Michael Caviness

Celgard

Jonathan and Cameo

Chamberlain

Cathy Chandler

Jarrett and Connie Chandler

Cheerwine

ChemSearch

Chick-fil-a

Rebecca Childs

Joe Christie

Lisa Cline

The Club at Irish Creek

CMTA, Inc.

Barb Collins

Concord Engineering and Surveying, Inc.

Concord NC Police Foundation

Laura Cone

Phillip and Melissa Conrad

Caroline J. Cook

Danielle Cook

Ed and Elizabeth Cook

Barbra Cooper

Corning Inc.

Lynn Coughenour

Jon Crockett

Daniel and Paige Crowe

Zach Crum

Brian Crutchfield

Sue Cunningham

Anne Curlee

Custom Golf Supply, Inc.

Data Network Solutions

Dennis Davidson

John and Lynn Denker

Sarah Devlin

Cynthia Dillon

Roberta Dimascio

Jeanne Dixon

Leanne Dixon

DLB Trucking, Inc.

Christina Dryman

Duke Energy Foundation

Daniel Dunger

Dunkin Donuts

Desiree Dunston

Aimee Durham

Bill and Debbie Dusch

Windsor and Katharine Eagle

Chelsea Edward

Eli Lilly and Company

April Elrod

Kelly Elvikis

Lee Ennis

Environmental Controls and Mechanical

Pamela Escobar

Nekita Eubanks

Alan Everhart

F & M Bank

Sarah Faulkner

Karen Faw

Sarah Featherstone

Fidelity Charitable

Emily Fink

First Bank

Michael and Ashley Fischer

Fisher Greene Insurance Agency

Locke and Cathy Floyd

Shirley Foley

Frank and Nancy Eason

Peter Franzese

Kelly Freeze

French Express Coffee House, LLC

Bennie and Pat Fulcher

Gary Gacek

Joshua Galloway

Tonya Gaydick

Gene Haas Foundation

Eric Goldston

Charles Goodman

Julie Goodman

Angela Graham

Darrell Graham

Great Wolf Lodge

Tianay Green

Jonathan Greveling

Greystone Salon and Spa

Richard Griggs

Andrew Guenther

Denise and Michael Hallett

Tracie Brunt Hampton

Brian Hanzel

M. Daniel Harless

Amanda Harris

Tracey Harris

Harrison RV, LLC

Chris Hartley

Mary Jane Hartley

Chandy Haskins

Zinat Hassanpour

Melene Hatcher

Joy Haynes

John Henderlite

Bridget Henderson

Todd Henderson

Daniel and Katie Herring

Brian Hiatt

Hilbish Ford Lincoln Mercury

Daniel and Rosalind Hines

Casey Hinson-Stapleton

Sandy Hodge

Jonathan Hoffman

Sandra Holshouser

Rebecca Hooks

Joe and Pat Horton

Patty Hoskins

Dwight and Carla Howell

Zackary Hubbard

Mike Huffman

Timothy Hunter

Ike’s Construction, Inc.

Ken and Amy Ingle

Jeff Insley

Alexandrea Irby

Karen Isenhour

William Isenhour

William and Sabrina Jamieson

Mark Jasmine

Lacrissa Johansen

Johnny Roger’s BBQ & BurgersGibson Mill

Jeff Johnson

Barbi Jones

Jon and Jean Kadela

Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Kelly Kerbs

Kinder Family Foundation, Inc.

James Kinder

David and Katrina King

Kelly Kluttz

Kathy Knight

KS Image Solutions

Quinn Lacy

Craig Lamb

Nathan Lambert

Lisa Lancaster

Wayne Laney, Jr.

Brunson Lawrence

Learning Environments

Lefler Electronics, Inc.

Theresa Leflore

Tony Lippard

Natasha Lipscomb

LKC Engineering, PLLC

Jim Lockard

Christopher and Stephanie Lowder

Ande Lowe

Michael and Kelly Lowman

Denise Madrazo

Magnolia Grove, LLC

Amy Mahle

Barbara Mallett

Mark and Kelly Hill

Angelo Markantonakis

Cynthia Martens

Martin-Marietta Aggregates

Tanner Mathewson

Anne Mayfield

Angie McClain

Scott McClucas

Gaye McConnell

Kelly McCowan

Nicholas McEntire

Cristy McKinney

Terri McKnight

Birgit Meadows

Katherine Medina

Barb Meidl

Therese Meidl

Wilmer and Angela Melton

Francis Mensa-Shebra

The Merancas Foundation Inc.

Andy Messmer

Hanif Miller

Lori Miller

Trina Miller

Lisa Mills

Matt Millward

Alyssa Mitchell

Modern Edge Technologies

Melissa Mohlere

Carter and Misty Moler

Equanda Moore

Robin Moore

Moretz Law Group, P.A.

Caryl Morgan

Steve Morris

Morris South

Kerry Motley

Motor Racing Outreach

MSJ Glass and Glazing, Inc.

Multi-Electrical Services, Inc.

Diana Myers

Cynthia Mynatt

NC Community College Adult Educators Association

Debra Neesmith

Chris Nesbitt

Chad Nichols

North Rowan High School Class of 1960

Northwest Cabarrus High School

Michele Norton

Jessica Norwood

Novant Health Rowan Medical Center

Okuma

Opkalla, Inc.

Lanre Oriowo

Justin Osborne

Elizabeth Overcash

Tena Pair

Ray Paradowski

Adrian Parker

Brent Parks

I-Eesha Patterson

Michelle and Douglas Patterson

Sharon Craig Paul

Clifford A. & Lillian C. Peeler Family Foundation

Darlene Pickman

Michelle Pierce

Pinnacle

Pinnacle Corrugated, Inc.

Cassie Plott

Potter & Co. P.A.

Pottery 101

Anna Marie Prado

Eric Price

Alicia Primus

Pro-Tint Window Tinting

The Property Pal

Kelly and Trent Propst

Michael and Angela Quillen

Smita Quinn

Mike Raney

Richard Reamer

Velma Reese

Melissa Reid

Connie Rheinecker

P.J. Ricks

Dakota Rios

Laurie Robb

The Blanche & Julian Robertson Foundation

Claudine Robinson

Rock Grove United Methodist Church

Taylor Rogers

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College SGA

Rowan Diagnostic Clinic, PA

Jonathan Rowe

Mollie Ruf

Donna Rushing

Angie Rusmisel

Rusty Wallace, Inc.

Adam and Crystal Ryerson

Matthew and Irene Sacks

Dusty Saine

Salcoa Contracting

Salisbury Lions Club

Anni Satterfield

Eric Savage

Carol Scherczinger

Claudia Schlagenhauf

Allison Scott

Jenn Selby

Nicole Sessoms

Jackie Shepherd

Barry and Chris Shoemaker

Nicole Shoemaker

Carl and Luanne Short, Jr.

Deanna Shue

Haylee Shuping

Carolyn Sithong

Patricia Sledge

Megan Smit

Carl Smith

David Kenan and Tracy Smith

Hayes and Susan Smith

Laura Smith

Meredith Smith

Miles and Kathy Smith, III

Southern Grace Distilleries

Southern Style Catering

Carol Spalding and Francis Koster

Elaine Spalding

Spencer Family Fund

John R. Spencer, Jr.

Spice & Tea Exchange

Mark Spitzer

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Diamond Staton-Williams

Jillian Sturdivant

Kristel Swayze

Chad and Kelly Tarlton

Ginger Tavernier

Jay Taylor

Barbara Taylor-Lineberry

Temerity Baseball, LLC

Mandy Thacker

Chayree Thomas

Alan Thompson

David Thompson

Tim Schenk Electric, Inc.

Kristen Trexler

Tara Trexler

Triple S. Beef Farm, LLC

Cathy Triplette

Truist Bank

Turner Construction

UFP Industries, Inc.

Uwharrie Bank

Dakeita Vanderburg

Timothy and Gail Vaughn

Dean Vernon

Walter and Carol Vuchnich

Vulcan Materials Company

Jason and Tracy Walser

Addison Watson

Jessica Webb

Raphael Weeks

Marilyn Wells

Weyerhaeuser

Donna White-Cook

Zhiviaga Williams

Trevor Wilt

Carter Wingfield

Wolf Trail Engineering

Ronald Wolfe

Paul and Pauline Wolford

Patrick Wood

Robert Woodruff

The Margaret C. Woodson Foundation, Inc.

YCH Architects

Brett Young

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 +)

Ralph W. Ketner Family Foundation Scholarship

Philip Morris USA Endowed Scholarship

Title III Endowment

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 +)

Dai Nippon Endowed Scholarship

Ashley C. and Michael P. Fischer Endowed Scholarship

Evelyn Kenerly Germann and William Joseph Germann Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Edward and Susan Norvell Endowed Scholarship

Lillian C. Peeler Memorial Endowed Scholarship of Salisbury Woman’s Club

Dr. Bobby Spencer Endowed Dental Scholarship

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

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

Susan Elaine Harrison Memorial Endowed Nursing Scholarship

Daniel Hemric ‘Be the Change’ Endowed Scholarship

Kinder Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship

NC Paraplegia Association Endowed Scholarship

Optimist Club Endowed Scholarship

Ray and Lois Paradowski Family Endowed Scholarship

Salisbury Lions Club Clyde H. Harriss Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Officer Jason Shuping Memorial Public Safety Endowed Scholarship

Graham Spencer Endowed Scholarship

Susan J. and Robert M. Smith Endowed Scholarship

Student Emergency Scholarship Endowment

Robert L. and 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

Bill and Debbie Dusch Charitable Foundation 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

Maria Hall Emergency Assistance 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

Dr. Francis P. Koster and Dr. Carol S. Spalding Endowed Scholarship

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

Sam R. and Louise May Endowed Scholarship

Don and Marie Meidl 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

Walter E. and Syble S. Vuchnich Endowed Scholarship

Other Endowed Funds

Richmond Gage Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund

Carroll T. Overton Endowed Scholarship

Marion Purcell Endowed Scholarship

Rowan-Cabarrus Foundation Named Scholarship Funds Solar

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.

Karen Alexander Perseverance Scholarship

Daimler Trucks Welding Scholarship

Dr. Windsor Eagle Nursing Scholarship

F&M Bank Merit Award

Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship

Honeycutt, Horton, Vanderburg, Propst, Jones, and Brown Scholarship

Jason C. Pierce Memorial Scholarship

NCLEX Assistance Scholarship (RN/LPN)

North Carolina Manufacturing Institute Sustainability Scholarship Fund

North Rowan Class of 1960 Scholarship

Shoemaker Family Scholarship

Shoe Show Scholarship

Student Government Association Scholarship

The Bridge Scholarship

The Margaret C. Woodson Foundation Scholarship

The Salisbury Rotary Club Scholarship

Top Scholar Presidential Scholarship Award

Vulcan Material Scholarship

Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund – U.S. for S.T.E.A.M. Scholarships

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.

2023 Grant Awards

(January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023) | Total Grant Funds: $4,197,243

The Blanche and Julian Robertson Foundation: Virtual Reality Training Equipment: Virtual reality training equipment for public service programs and emergency responders to better prepare users for making quick decisions when managing complex situations - $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 - $214,077

Cannon Charitable Interests: Teaching Auditorium Renovation – funding to support the renovation of the North Campus teaching auditorium - $350,000

Department of Education/TRiO Student Support Services: The TRiO/SSS Learning Community @ Rowan-Cabarrus – funding to support 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 - $272,364

Gene Haas Foundation: funding to support scholarships for machining students - $12,000

GEER II via The University of North Carolina System Office: Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training – funding to support training for faculty and staff to assist and save persons contemplating suicide - $12,500

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

The Merancas Foundation: Fill the Gap Program – Emergency and hardship funding for Rowan-Cabarrus 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

NC Community College System (NCCCS): High-Cost Workforce Start-up Fund Program – funding to provide the startup costs for the College’s new BioWork and Aseptic Manufacturing short-term training programs - $425,000

NC Community College System: Construction Academies – funding to support the programming of two shortterm training Construction Academies - $69,000

NC Community College System: Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Employment and Training (E&T) Program Grant – funding to support staff serving FNS E&T participants in accessing training opportunities - $134,974

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 5 of 5)

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 4 of 4)

National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE): Mentor Connect – funding to support faculty and staff in completing and submitting an NSF ATE project grant application$6,000

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 enrollment at a fouryear institution. Funds will provide eligible students with scholarship funding to both Rowan-Cabarrus and UNC-C upon transfer. Approximately 15 students may receive up to $6,000 per year to cover unmet financial need. - $487,715 (Year 6 of 6)

NC Career Coach Program: funding to support the Career Coach program in North Rowan High School (Rowan County) - $91,269/year (Year 1 of 5)

NC Career Coach Program: funding to support the Career Coach program in AL Brown High School (Cabarrus County) - $91,189/year (Year 1 of 5)

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

NC Department of Public Safety: Private Protective Services Board Community College Continuing Education Tuition Scholarship Grant – funding to support students who enroll and complete approved private protective services courses$5,000

NC Space Grant: Research Pathways Program – funding to provide scholarships to students participating in the high-altitude balloon competition - $4,000

NC Space Grant: High-altitude balloon competition – funding to purchase supplies and materials needed to participate in the competition - $1,500

Novant Foundation: Community Impact Grants – funding to support nursing equipment$10,000

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

Swipe Out Hunger – funding to support the College’s Campus Market - $6,000

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 Grant - Funding for career and technical education in student services and curriculum (includes Reserve funds awarded) – $358,064

Wells Fargo Foundation: Retail Lab Program – funding to provide instructional support for the Retail Lab Program$7,000

Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund: STEM Student scholarships$3,000

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Title II): Adult Education and Family Literacy – funding to support adult education and literacy activities - $329,701 (federal only)

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF): Institutional – funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus$699,018

Total for 2023: $4,197,243 (January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023)

Accomplishments

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

1.1. Deliver exceptional learning and development for every student.

• Achieved a 100% pass rate for all Physical Therapist Assistant 2023 graduates who took the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

• Achieved a 100% first time pass rate for all Radiography 2023 graduates for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification.

• Achieved a 100% pass rate for all Esthetics students.

• Increased work-based learning placement enrollment by 10% from previous academic year (2022-2023).

• Received a passing grade during the final State Board Audit for the Cosmetology program.

• Completed three Basic Law Enforcement Training courses with an 87.7% first-time test taker completion rate.

• Completed two Detention Officer Certification courses with a 91% first-time test taker completion rate.

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

• Completed 20,161 course registrations in the Fire Protection Technology program.

• Served 128 low-income students, firstgeneration students,and students with disabilities through the TRIO Student Support Services program to increase retention and graduation rates of students in underserved populations.

• Provided 1,402 services (over 1,000 contact hours) which included personal coaching, financial literacy education, career exploration, cultural enrichment activities and leadership opportunities to 128 TRIO students.

• Achieved good academic standing for 96% of TRIO students.

• Provided over 145 hours of one-on-one, personalized academic skill-building sessions to improve students’ time management, organization, test preparation, test-taking and reading comprehension skills through the TRIO program.

• Offered the highest number of national Quality Matters (QM) certifications of any community college in North Carolina. These online courses have met rigorous standards to ensure excellence in development and delivery to support student learning and success.

• Received additional national Quality Matters (QM) certifications resulting in a total of 26 courses with active QM certifications.

• Completed technology upgrades to 23 classrooms, integrating advanced Crestron projection systems to improve the overall image quality for instruction.

• Maximized learning spaces by utilizing 25Live scheduling software along with the collaboration between academic programs, continuing education and facilities.

• Delivered motorcycle basic rider safety training, on both two-wheel and three-wheel motorcycles, through partnerships with the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Foundation and CanAm, instructing a total of 415 students.

1.2. Prepare all students for career success and establish the foundation for continued higher education.

• Awarded approximately 600 credentials through identifying completers of credentials in addition to their primary program.

• Administered 1,200 high school equivalency tests for students and community members.

• Completed a Memorandum of Understanding to support student transfers upon graduation from Rowan-Cabarrus and admission into Cabarrus College of Health Sciences.

• Partnered with Livingstone College and signed an Memorandum of Understanding for Education students to seamlessly transfer to

Livingstone with an A.A. in Teacher Preparation or an A.S. in Teacher Preparation.

• Tripled enrollment in the 49er Next program in partnership with UNC Charlotte.

• Entered into a bilateral articulation agreement, Gateway to Wingate, that offers students who earn their associate degree at Rowan-Cabarrus guaranteed transfer admission to Wingate University to complete their bachelor’s degree for no more than $2,500 per year in tuition.

• Celebrated the completion of TRIO students as they earned a combined total of 35 degrees, diplomas, and certifications.

• Achieved 100% job placement for graduates of the paramedic program.

• Achieved 100% job placement for graduates of the Basic Law Enforcement Training program.

• Implemented a new campus-wide Student LEAD Conference in fall 2023 which included workshops on improving networking skills and leadership workshops built on NACE Career Competencies.

• Developed the Food Service Fundamentals course, which gives Rowan-Cabarrus S.O.A.R. (Skills, Opportunity, Awareness, Readiness) students the opportunity to prepare for jobs in the hospitality industry by covering various facets of food preparation and service, as well has hands-on training by conducting the daily operations of Beacon’s Bistro on South Campus.

• Partnered with the City of Kannapolis to develop internships for mechanical engineering and industrial engineering students which began fall 2023.

• Trained 1,212 Notary Public students across the states of North Carolina and South Carolina as one of the state’s largest Notary Public training programs.

• Held 69 entrepreneurial education events through the Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center that reached 431 attendees.

• Continued and expanded partnerships for Pharmacy Technician recruitment and job placement with organizations including Atrium, Cannon, Moose and Price Pharmacies.

• Launched the BioWork Certification program with 37 graduates in 2023.

1.3. Support student learning outcomes by maximizing employee talent and institutional resources.

• Implemented Destiny One, allowing easy online enrollment, course management and payment portal for students.

• Implemented “Accommodate,” a robust platform used to securely manage accommodations requests, house disabilityrelated records, and to send notifications and communications to faculty and students registered in the Office of Accessibility.

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

• Received a clean financial audit with no findings.

• Achieved Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) certification for all Career Coaches.

• Implemented the Beacon FLIGHT mentoring lunch events where students are matched with volunteer faculty and staff for a 1:1 mentoring conversation.

• Managed 6,698 hours of individual professional development of employees.

• Implemented Learn, an online employee training module through NEOED, a userfriendly platform which enables employees to easily access professional development courses and records of external learning opportunities.

• Received and completed 678 requests through the marketing request form.

• Deployed improvements to the College’s data warehouse and data dashboards to provide timely performance data to all divisions.

• Launched a new technology help site for students seeking assistance. The site features a chatbot to assist in the completion of a help desk ticket, increasing the response time from the help desk.

• Launched the mobile tutoring initiative during the first week of fall 2023. Tutoring Services provided tutors in highly populated student areas at various campus locations to increase visibility and interact with students needing immediate assistance.

• Conducted a professional development session led by Communications faculty on AI in the Classroom.

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

• Awarded a $20,000 grant from the Blanche and Julian Robertson Foundation to purchase an Apex Officer Virtual Reality System.

• Received a continuation of grant funding from Wells Fargo for the Small Business Center’s Retail Lab Program, which is held in partnership with the Flywheel Foundation and has impacted 60 participants in launching or expanding their businesses.

• Completed numerous hands-on training projects through the Construction Academies for other program support to include reflooring the motorcycle safety training shed and building props for the fire services area.

• Completed full implementation as a pilot college for ADVANSYS.

• Awarded $1,400 Innovation in Education grant to purchase equipment for the South Campus Beacon’s Bistro.

1.4. Support successful, affordable, and timely completion of each student’s educational goals.

• Awarded $350,000 from the Rowan-Cabarrus Foundation in academic, continuing education and emergency funding to assist over 900 students.

• Provided funding from the Rowan-Cabarrus Foundation to fully cover the cost of 300 GED test vouchers.

• Awarded nearly $5,000 in Student Impact Grants to six projects led by faculty and staff to improve the student experience.

• Expanded emergency grant opportunities to assist students with financial hardships continue toward completion. Increased funding opportunities by over 300%, moving from $15,000 a year to $62,000 last year in Foundation emergency awards.

• Awarded $11,328,766 in federal, state and institutional aid to 2,054 students.

• Awarded 1,390 continuing education scholarships to 1,130 students totaling over $412,000.

• Held a graduation ceremony that hosted 455 in-person graduates and over 4,000 family members and friends that celebrated students.

• Facilitated an increase in childcare support/ funding for students by 39%.

• Completed approximately 55 standardized prior learning and challenge assessments to increase persistence and advance students in degree completion.

• Evaluated approximately 2,300 transcripts for transfer credit to increase student completion of curriculum degrees, diplomas and certificates.

• Converted 79 course sections in Arts & Sciences from internet to Hy-Flex delivery method. These sections accounted for 92% of all Hy-Flex sections for fall 2023.

• Celebrated 72 students who obtained their High School Equivalency diploma and 18 students who obtained their Adult High School diploma.

2. ENGAGE: How can Rowan-Cabarrus Community College cultivate engagement with employees, students and the community to improve lives?

2.1. Invest in creating an inclusive culture that celebrates talented, innovative, and caring 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 16 President’s Messages outlining the College’s latest updates and priorities.

• Launched a redesigned This Week email digest and SharePoint intranet landing page to enhance internal communication, encourage community building, and provide a portal that allows employees a fast and easy way to stay informed.

• Introduced an expanded Marketing Request Form as a resource for faculty and staff to provide detailed information and related files for project requests.

• Introduced the Burn Along Platform to all employees, including adjuncts and parttime staff. Over 100 employees collectively completed 700 minutes of physical activity.

• Organized a comprehensive Wellness Fair featuring 24 vendors, on-site vaccination clinics, and health checks.

• Sponsored an event for new employees, providing them an opportunity to connect, share best practices and engage with colleagues from various campuses.

• Introduced a project, “The Hispanic Moment,” led by a Communication, Language, and Humanities faculty member for their students to engage in a cultural space and learn more

about Hispanic culture through participating in activities and sharing facts from a Hispanic country they chose.

• Added a representative from continuing education to the Goodwill Career Connections Business Advisory Committee to help recruit students and help citizens in Rowan County.

2.2. Advance students’ economic mobility through education, community, and employer partnerships.

• Administered 2,295 Pearson VUE exams, including 1,200 business and industry certifications that increase employability and advance the careers of students and community members while achieving an overall test-taker satisfaction score of 100%.

• Developed the BioWork program certification, which equips students with the skills needed to have a competitive advantage when applying for jobs in biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.

• Provided paid internships to students from technical programs to encourage their participation in a facilities-oriented employment.

• Partnered with Cabarrus Health Alliance to develop a comprehensive skills lab for 50 school nurses in Cabarrus County.

• Continued partnering with Trinity Oaks for employee nurse aide training and sustainable recruitment.

• Continued the “Showing Thanks to Our Local Heroes” initiative, which recognizes RowanCabarrus alumni from public service disciplines who demonstrated exemplary performance, received promotions or achieved academic milestones.

• Arranged for 13 industry partners to engage with the Construction Academy students as guest speakers and panelists during 2023 class cohorts.

• Developed additional nurse aide clinical partnerships by aligning student background requirements with those of new partner site requirements and expanded opportunities for clinical rotations to a total of 14 sites.

• Celebrated the 2023 William D. Weston Outstanding Student of the Year by the North Carolina Work-Based Learning Association, marking the fourth time in five years that a Rowan-Cabarrus student has won the state award.

• Increased trainee participation in the Okuma Machine Tool Academy by 34%.

• Trained 208 students in the Okuma Machine Tool Academy from industries such as aerospace/military, agriculture, oil and energy, medical, automotive and railway.

• Trained 108 students in the RJG National Injection Molding Training Center, serving 47 national injection molding companies.

• Graduated a four-year cohort in the Industrial Maintenance Apprenticeship program, serving 11 corporate customers.

• Graduated 44 Certified Production and Logistics Technicians through the North Carolina Manufacturing Institute with a 92% job placement rate.

• Celebrated 72 students who earned their CDL-A through the Truck Driver Training program.

• Established 554 corporate accounts in Salesforce, the College’s customer relationship management (CRM) database.

• Celebrated the largest pipe fabricator class since inception of Mechanical Trades of the Carolinas Local 421.

2.3. Optimize the student experience by providing learning and service opportunities for all students.

• Celebrated 18 students who competed and placed in the 2023 state-wide SkillsUSA competition.

• Celebrated eight students who won awards at the 2023 national SkillsUSA competition.

• Attended the Black Student Lead and LatinX Conference in Atlanta in April 2023.

• Participated in The Men of Change Art Exhibit in February 2023.

• Completed over 2,200 hours of student community service with agencies including Big Elm Nursing, Trinity Oaks, Veterans Hospital, Atrium Health, Novant and Rowan Helping Ministries.

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

• Supported local initiatives with donations and drives including Rowan Helping Ministries, Cooperative Christian Ministries, CVAN, Alvarez House 0600, Big Elm Nursing, local Novant NICU and Stuffed Animals for Emergencies for local police departments.

• Opened the much-awaited Outdoor Learning Center Amphitheater on North Campus.

• Launched the design of the North Campus, Building N105 Teaching Auditorium Renovation project which will refresh this critical space and provide an enhanced, large gathering space and an e-sports gaming venue.

• Designed an active threat training course that was placed on Blackboard for all students to access.

• Completed community service with Radiography students volunteering at the Terrie Hess House and raising awareness of breast cancer at North and South campuses. Cosmetology students contributed hair and makeup services for the SOAR program prom.

• Offered nine summer enrichment courses, ranging in topics from welding to sewing, serving 24 area youth.

2.4. Expand opportunities for the inclusion of online students in the College community.

• Hosted an Early Childhood Education program orientation with 35 students in attendance to engage with faculty and explore career pathways.

• Hosted first Education Panel with Early Childhood Education faculty and guest speakers addressing their roles in education and the steps that were taken to achieve their career goals.

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

3.1. Develop and implement comprehensive educational pipelines to facilitate lifelong learning.

• Launched the design and preconstruction efforts with ADW Architects and Turner Construction for the $45 million Technology Education Complex, which will include a new technology building to house expanded and improved Welding and Machining programs, and a Career & College Promise (CCP) facility to house the Rowan County Early College and other CCP students.

• Graduated the first class of Certified Logistics Technicians at the Cabarrus County Detention Center. The course provides training and certification that prepares graduates to apply for sustainable employment when they are released from incarceration.

• Celebrated a 2019 Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) alumna who was recognized by NCOTA with the 2023 Distinguished OTA Award.

• Presented on a series of topics at Trinity Oaks by the Humanities faculty. Trinity Oaks is committed to lifelong learning for its residents.

• 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.

• Implemented 10 Career Pathways for students in the Adult Basic Education program while building partnerships throughout the campus community that will offer numerous opportunities.

3.2. Foster an environment that anticipates opportunities for institutional growth, entrepreneurship, and local economic development.

• Secured over $500,000 in funding through the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation to support the College’s highest priority needs and student scholarships.

• Secured $9 million in state funding to allow construction of the North Campus Driver Training Range which will support the CDL Truck Driver Training program as well as support driver training for public safety students.

• Received a donation of 25 acres of land adjacent to the College’s North Campus from the Rowan County Board of Commissioners on which to build the Driver Training Range.

• Secured $5.5 million in state funding for improvements to the North Campus parking lot and water/sewer connections.

• Partnered with the NC Department of Transportation, the NC House and the NC Senate to secure $600,000 in contingency funding to develop an entrance and road to the new Driver Training Range.

• Expanded the welding program to the College’s South Campus in Cabarrus County by outfitting a new lab with state-of-the-art equipment, including virtual reality welding machines.

• Launched the design of the South Campus Building S202 Renovation project which will provide a location for the College’s law enforcement training programs in Cabarrus County.

• Completed the re-numbering of the buildings at College Station, NCRC and CBTC to bring them in alignment with nationally recognized standards for facility identification.

• Celebrated providing free lab manuals to students for all sections of BIO 110, which is the first course in the Science departments with 100% completely free textbook costs for lecture and lab.

• Celebrated 212 faculty who have either completed or will complete Online Instructor Certification (OIC) or recertification.

• Received two faculty awards for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association (NCOTA) 2023 Fall Conference.

• Partnered with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and the workforce development boards to host annual and monthly meetings.

3.3. Champion sustainable practices that respect the natural environment and promote a healthy community.

• Completed the HEERF funded air handling unit replacement project in Building N101, significantly improving air quality in the building.

• Received funding from Cabarrus County to construct the South Campus HVAC Replacement Project which will include the installation of the College’s first geothermal HVAC systems.

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

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

4.1. Convene timely and strategic conversations that influence the future of our region and state.

• Hosted 11 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.

• Hosted a human trafficking awareness event presented by Project Light Rowan with RowanCabarrus students, faculty and staff, as well as community stakeholders in attendance.

• Offered several Public Safety Multi-Disciplinary training classes such as Active Assailant class, Emergency Management 101 and Critical Incident Stress Management in response to mass casualty incidents.

• Collaborated with over 17 ecosystem partners, inclusive of chambers of commerce, regional, state, public and private organizations, through the Small Business Center to contribute toward small business strategic conversation and program enhancements.

4.2. Advocate for the value of education, community colleges and the future of the workforce.

• Partnered with local news media to distribute 38 press releases to share the College’s story.

• Hosted the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association Conference on November 3-5, 2023.

• Hosted STEM Open House, Skills USA and Future Farmers of America events, bringing over 1,000 people to the College’s campuses.

• Launched a Small Business Spotlight blog which provides both a place to showcase client success and promote Small Business Center services to others.

4.3. Drive innovation by striving for continuous improvement.

• Implemented a new voucher request form to streamline college-wide purchase order needs.

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

• Offered over 60 public safety multi-disciplinary training classes such as active assailant, first aid and situational awareness, providing instruction to over 250 individuals.

• Received nine awards from the 38th Annual Education Advertising Awards.

• Implemented a redesigned lab in all sections of BIO 111 due to receiving the S-Stem grant (SPARC4). The lab is inquiry-based and will strengthen students’ critical thinking and research skills.

5. BELONG: How does Rowan-Cabarrus Community College advance an inclusive culture based on mutual respect and caring?

5.1. Recognize, value, and learn how the unique experiences of each person contribute to the college culture.

• Established a dedicated Talent Acquisition Team to enhance the employee experience, with a specific focus on onboarding. Through recruiting meetings involving over 100 participants, the College fostered effective communication, built relationships, and gained insights into the unique recruiting and retention needs of each division.

• Hosted a virtual event in honor of Women’s History Month, engaging more than 60 college participants to explore the significance of women’s history and celebrate the contributions of women throughout time.

• Hosted the fourth annual G.U.I.D.E Conference, which drew over 900 attendees, including international participants from Canada, Pakistan and Portugal.

• Celebrated and welcomed two bilingual instructors to the Early Childhood Education program.

5.2. Provide equitable opportunities for every student to succeed.

• Made 10,142 connections with students, inperson or virtually, and sent 10,325 messages (email and text) to students as part of the College’s “proactivity over reactivity” customer service model.

• Utilized the College’s AI Chatbot, “NavBot,” for 5,524 AI chats with staff enhancements.

• Formalized a laptop loaner program, resulting in the issue of over 200 laptops to students.

• Partnered with Kannapolis City Schools on a new initiative to provide career-related opportunities for students who are at risk of performing below average academically.

5.3. Be aware, informed, and responsive to all backgrounds and needs of our students, faculty, and staff.

• Developed an International Student Cohort and increased international student enrollment to double digits for the first time. Developed an introductory cohort to foster a sense of belonging.

• Established the new Grade Forgiveness Procedure.

• Awarded The Military Spouse Friendly School Award for efforts in creating sustainable and meaningful education paths for military spouses.

• Expanded the food pantry, Campus Market, at the College’s South Campus in Concord with the establishment of new community partnerships to include Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, Cooperative Christian Ministries and Concord Afton Sunset Rotary chapter.

• Distributed 5,503 pounds of food and toiletries to students from the Campus Market in the Student Wellness Center. This distribution occurred over 421 recorded student visits.

• Served 110 referrals for students with acute, unmet basics needs through the Student Wellness Center in fall 2023.

• Sought greater Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) through the use of weighted grading in the evaluation of proposals.

• Conducted Hispanic Heritage Month programming in the library with contributions from the Communication, Language and Humanities faculty during September 2023 through October 2023.

• Attended the 2023 Prison Symposium in support of reentry programming and preventing recidivism, prompting an increased focus on restarting high school equivalency programming at the Piedmont Correctional Facility in 2024.

• Held a SOAR program prom in fall 2023 and incorporated the culinary class from the South Campus Beacon’s Bistro for the food and desserts for the event.

5.4. Establish Rowan-Cabarrus as the first choice for higher education, workforce development, and employment in our community.

• Named by the Aspen Institute as one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges.

• Processed over 7,500 new and returning student applications for 2023.

• Engaged 1,638 high school and dual-enrolled students through one-on-one counseling sessions, group coaching and industry tours during the fall 2023 semester.

• Engaged over 3,000 community members, high school students and educational partners through campus tours, open houses, college fairs, community events and First Look sessions.

• Enrolled 2,046 students in the Career & College Promise/Dual-Enrollment programs (excluding Early College) in the fall 2023 semester - the largest ever.

• Launched the new “Start Now” page with simplified steps for new and returning students.

• Launched the “Picture Your Future Here” campaign through direct mail, digital and outdoor advertising.

• Held the first ever Career Pathways Expo, leading to an invitation to present the program in Raleigh. Numerous colleges are now replicating this process and Expo.

• Transformed the College’s Human Resources webpage into a powerful tool for attracting talent by incorporating personalized content and additional information. In 2023, the page received 26,500 views and attracted 903 applicants, a significant increase compared to 9,253 views in 2022.

• Enhanced the College’s reputation as the employer of choice by successfully recruiting 200 employees, including 46 full-time and 154 part-time employees.

• Participated in multiple outreach opportunities with EMS students engaging in recruitment efforts at the Charlotte STEAM event, Cabarrus County Touch a Truck, Concord High School Public Safety Academy and Rowan-Salisbury Schools.

• Hosted the NC Fire Chiefs Association’s Mid-Winter Conference with over 1,582 registrations, accumulating 4,977 instructional hours.

• Celebrated the Fire Protection Technology program as it remains the largest in the state.

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

• Grew the Criminal Justice Technology program to the second largest in the state.

• Met and far exceeded annual Performance Measures in College and Career Readiness to be the second highest performing community college in the state.

ROWAN-CABARRUS CABINET MEMBERS

Vice President of Corporate & Continuing Education

(Through Dec. 31, 2023)

(Beginning Jan. 8, 2024)

Jan. 22, 2024)

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 and Organizational Culture

Zackary Hubbard, Ed.D. Chief Officer, Information Services, CIO (Beginning Jan. 31, 2024)

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

Natasha Lipscomb, Ph.D. Vice President of Student Success Services

Craig Lamb, MA Vice President of Corporate & Continuing Education

Tara Trexler, MS, CPA Chief Financial Officer

Elbert Lassiter, MA

Ken Ingle, Ed.D. Chief Officer, Information Services, CIO (Through

FINANCIAL COLLEGE REVENUES

FISCAL 2023

Total Revenues: $72,602,242

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 allocation. 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. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a state supported college that provides subsidized educational services to the citizens of North Carolina. As such, it is expected that operating expenses will exceed operating revenues every year resulting in an operating loss. The operating loss is offset by state and county appropriations, financial aid, grants, and other nonoperating revenues.

The College’s Financial Statements for the year ending June 30, 2023, report operating and non-operating revenues totaling $72,602,242. This includes state aid

of $42,088,164 and $88,993 in state capital aid. County appropriations for the year totaled $6,930,590 while county capital aid was $2,935,565. 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 $3,173,595 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 $614,267 over the prior year totaling $3,832,443 however, nonoperating capital aid revenues had a proportionate increase of $698,048.

Net non-operating revenues decreased by $2,410,558 to $64,320,067 in fiscal year 2023. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease of $6,940,784 in federal aid related to COVID-19 (HEERF Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund) and a $4,196,238 increase in state aid.

COLLEGE EXPENSES

Total Expenses: $63,817,679

Total operating expenses for fiscal year 2023 decreased $838,449 to $62,563,003 and non-operating expenses decreased $28,323 to $1,254,676. The change was primarily attributed to the decrease in student financial aid for emergency payments associated with the pandemic as most of the College’s HEERF funds were obligated.

The College’s net position was $70,092,792 at yearend, an increase of $8,784,563 from the prior year and capital assets net of related debt was $3,142,344 higher than fiscal year 2022, totaling $103,972,155 for fiscal year 2023.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $148,729 in fiscal year 2023. Restricted cash and cash equivalents decreased by $517,997. Current receivables decreased by $166,510 and there was a decrease of $2,240,064 in total current assets.

In fiscal year 2023, the College helped 4,285 students receive financial aid totaling $11,345,572. The aid included $7,765,823 in Pell grants which assisted approximately 2,258 students. The College also served and certified 104 veteran students who received $80,722 from the Department of Veteran Affairs.

ROWAN-CABARRUS BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Cynthia L. Mynatt | Chair

Carl M. Short, Jr. | Vice Chair

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

Gary A. Blabon

J. Thomas Bost

Paul A. Brown

Elizabeth Cook

Jeanne A. Dixon

William (Bill) Dusch

Patricia G. Fulcher

Patricia K. Horton

Wilmer Melton, III

Stephen M. Morris

Michelle Patterson

Dakeita Vanderburg

Gabrielle Brown | Student Government Association President

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Robin Moore | Chair

Paige Crowe | Vice Chair

Tara Trexler | Treasurer

Carol Spalding, Ed.D. | Secretary

Karen Alexander

Marjorie Benbow

Jeanne Dixon

Michael Fischer

Cathy Floyd

William (Brian) Hiatt

Kelly Hill

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 public 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 educational programs leading to Associate in Arts Degree, Associate in Engineering, 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 is workforce development, meeting the educational needs of the individual and changing requirements of the workplace. 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 expand their awareness as responsible citizens in a democratic society.

Vision:

Building sustainable futures through the power of learning.

Values:

We are committed to our college and our community through our values:

• Excellence and innovation in education and workforce development;

• Continuous improvement through lifelong learning and achievement;

• Trust, integrity, equity, inclusiveness and mutual respect;

• Exemplary service through teamwork;

• Responsiveness, resiliency, sustainability, accountability;

• Leadership, partnership and global citizenship.

NavigateForward