Welcome!
Spring 2025 Newsletter
HIGHLIGHT STUDENT
NATHAN CONNELLY
HVAC Student and Scholarship Recipient and 2024 SkillsUSA National Conference: Eighth place, Sheet Metal
“This scholarship means a lot to me. It will help me to complete my associates in HVAC as I further pursue my career. In my future, I would love to get a well-paying job in the HVAC industry and work my way up to a senior position. Maybe 25 years down the road, I want to own my own HVAC business.
Overall, this scholarship will be incredibly helpful in my future schooling and career. I would like to sincerely thank Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and the people who put together this scholarship. I look forward to continuing to work hard and finishing my degree in HVAC.”
WHAT ARE STUDENT IMPACT GRANTS?
Student Impact Grants fund innovative student programs and experiences that lack other financial support, empowering faculty and staff to enhance student learning experiences.
Since 2016, over $40k has been awarded to faculty and staff in support of innovative programming. Examples of projects include:
- Mobile Medical & Dental Services
- Project Stress Relief
- Exam Jam
FISCHERS! MEET THE
In 2021, Ashley and Michael Fischer created an endowed scholarship at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College with a vision to empower local students and strengthen the community they love. Through their thoughtful partnership with the Rowan-Cabarrus Foundation, they have built a lasting resource that will transform lives for generations to come.
Thanks to their continued generosity, the Ashley C. and Michael P. Fischer Endowed Scholarship endowment has grown to $75,000 – an inspiring demonstration of their dedication to expanding educational opportunities for students and strengthening the local workforce.
A FAMILY LEGACY ROOTED IN EDUCATION
As Cabarrus County natives, Ashley and Michael’s local connection to education runs deep. Ashley and Michael attended Cabarrus County Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating from Concord High School in 2001. The Fischers grew up during a period of rapid change in Cabarrus County, with the closing of many manufacturing plants and reinvention of the local economy. They got a front row seat to observe how the power of education changes lives, particularly how RowanCabarrus can empower students in their career journeys.
Ashley’s mother, Sue Cunningham, has taught at RowanCabarrus for more than 30 years and continues to teach part-time in her so-called “retirement.” As an adult, Ashley can appreciate her mother’s availability to her students and her pride in helping them succeed. Ashley witnessed the difference the education Rowan-Cabarrus provided in the lives of her mother’s students. Some 30 years later, Ashley often sees Sue’s former students working at local businesses. They tell her how impactful her mother and their education at Rowan-Cabarrus was on their lives. After high school Ashley earned her
bachelor’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill but took classes at Rowan-Cabarrus in the summer. She later earned an MBA and Masters in Healthcare Administration. Today, Ashley is the Director of Cost of Care programs for United Healthcare.
Michael’s introduction to Rowan-Cabarrus was also through his mother. While Michael was attending UNC Chapel Hill on a North Carolina Teaching Fellows scholarship, Michael’s mother, Debra, attended RowanCabarrus following the closing of Pillowtex. Michael was the first person in his family to earn a college degree, but Debra was the second when she earned an associate degree from Rowan-Cabarrus the following year. Michael went on to earn a Master of Arts in Education from Wake Forest University. After teaching government and politics in Forsyth County schools, he graduated with honors from UNC Chapel Hill School of Law. Today, Michael is a partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. His law practice focuses on antitrust law, serving clients in the healthcare industry. Michael has shown his commitment to education through his dedicated service to the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation Board since 2019.
BE A PART OF SOMETHING LASTING
Reflecting on their decision to establish an endowment, the Fischers shared, “We support Rowan-Cabarrus Community College because we have seen how education can shape the future, not just of the student, but of whole families. Rowan- Cabarrus affords students high quality options to start, advance, or reimagine their careers. Our hope is that this scholarship will reduce the burden of educational costs and provide students with more freedom to invest in themselves.”
Their story is a powerful example of how creating or growing an endowment isn’t just about giving – it’s about building a legacy. Each year, the income generated by an endowment provides vital support for students, allowing them to focus on their education and future. This long-term impact extends beyond individual students – it strengthens families, communities and the local workforce.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CREATING OR GROWING YOUR OWN ENDOWED FUND, PLEASE CONTACT FOUNDATION DIRECTOR CONNIE RHEINECKER AT CONNIE. RHEINECKER@RCCC.EDU OR 704-216-3845.
$632 AVERAGE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
3.32 AVERAGE GPA RETAINED OR GRADUATED 88.5% Learn more about the programs offered at Rowan-Cabarrus.
Meet Our Team
Sarah Devlin, MPA, CFRE
Chief Officer of Governance, Advancement & Community Relations
sarah.devlin@rccc.edu | 704-216-3706
Meet Our Board
CHAIR | Paige Crowe, Senior Commercial Development Officer, F&M Bank
VICE CHAIR | Cathy Floyd, Retired
Connie Rheinecker, CFRE
Foundation Director
connie.rheinecker@rccc.edu | 704-216-3485
SECRETARY | Carol Spalding, Ed.D., President, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
TREASURER | Tara Trexler, Chief Financial Officer, RowanCabarrus Community College
Addison Shepherd
Foundation Operations Specialist
addison.shepherd@rccc.edu | 704-216-3876
Discover how planned giving and tax-wise philanthropy can help you leave a lasting legacy while maximizing your impact. Join us to explore smart giving strategies that benefit both you and the causes you care about!
Contact the Foundation for more information.
Michael Fischer, Attorney at Law, Bradley Arant
Brian Hiatt, Interim Executive Director of the EDC, Cabarrus County
Kelly Hill, Certified Registered Nurse
Barbara Mallett, Mayor, Town of East Spencer
Matt Millward, General Manager, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
Jeanie Moore, Retired
Robin Moore, Deputy Executive Director Administration, WSACC
Smita Quinn, Director of Marketing and Operations, Patrin Pharma
Kristen Reavis, Community Engagement, Novant Health
Patricia (P.J.) Ricks, Retired
Chris Shoemaker, Retired
Haylee Shuping, Community Outreach Coordinator, Cabarrus County Sheriff Department
Elaine Spalding, President, Rowan County Chamber of Commerce
Mark Spitzer, President, Castle & Cooke North Carolina, LLC
Mark Whitley, SVP & Managing Director, Pinnacle Asset Management