Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) has campuses in Salisbury, Kannapolis, and Concord. The college serves 20,000 students annually across 33 degree programs and 138 certificates. The vision of RCCC is to provide an education which will lead to “sustainable futures” for the college’s students and the community. This emphasis on sustainability grew out of the history of the communities they serve.
Kannapolis, for example, was a “company town” for decades with generations of families working for the Cannon Mills textile company from 1888 until July 30, 2003 when the roaring mills shut down. This move eliminated over 4,000 jobs in Kannapolis alone on a single day, which placed Kannapolis in the history books as one of the largest single-day layoffs.
This moment in time contributed to the college’s R3 Career Services program, which is focused on adults in career transition and offers a range of services including resume clinics, career specialists who can help adults consider their potential pathways, and more. This program has been shaped by the college’s experience of meeting the needs of the community after Cannon Mills shuttered Pillowtex.
On a recent visit to RCCC, a panel of students walked us through their own experience of trying to find their career path at the college.
After the panel, we toured the RCCC Health Sciences building which is located on the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.
More highlights of our trip are displayed in tweets below.
We’re in #Kannapolis today at the @NCRCampus checking out @RCCCedu programs and listening to a panel comprised of stakeholders and students. Keep up with our day here! #ReachNCVoices pic.twitter.com/WxmS2PqFn6
— Reach NC Voices (@ReachNCVoices) June 14, 2018
@RCCCedu was privileged to host these #education advocates from @BelkEndowment & @ReachNCVoices in the @NCRCampus pic.twitter.com/DdG5Z45CPc
— Janet Spriggs, Ed.D. (@janet_spriggs) June 15, 2018
Checking out the @RCCCedu nursing program, where other #Kannapolis paramedic students come to use classrooms and clinics. @NCCommColleges @rob3rtk #ReachNCVoices pic.twitter.com/USycFRpfCk
— Reach NC Voices (@ReachNCVoices) June 14, 2018
Access to state-of-the-art equipment (like everything you see in this biotech lab) sets @RCCCedu students up for immediate on-the-job success. pic.twitter.com/FC6HHnLvoN
— The John M. Belk Endowment (@BelkEndowment) June 14, 2018
Paramedics and other professionals from the community visit regularly to practice skills using @RCCCedu equipment and mannequins. pic.twitter.com/qdwR7nFToy
— The John M. Belk Endowment (@BelkEndowment) June 14, 2018
“I never expected such a student life out of a #communitycollege” expressed Jacob Hernandez who came to @RCCCedu after a career in the army. #highered @NCCommColleges pic.twitter.com/Ngwmu9S5NW
— The John M. Belk Endowment (@BelkEndowment) June 14, 2018
#DYK 92% of students at @RCCCedu stay in the area after graduating? Dr. Carol Spalding highlights that educating this community feeds the local economy. #highered @NCCommColleges pic.twitter.com/LwN8Q5u3NI
— The John M. Belk Endowment (@BelkEndowment) June 14, 2018
Kannapolis endured 4,000 people being laid off in one day. Today they are in the midst of revitalization. @JamesFallows, come join us on another tour of a town that is now bursting with growth. pic.twitter.com/GQX1ERzPUI
— Nation Hahn (@NationHahn) June 14, 2018
