Randolph Community College

RCC interim president named

RCC interim president named

ASHEBORO — William Aiken, a veteran in community college administration in the state, will be the interim president of Randolph Community College after Robert Shackleford Jr. retires at the end of the month. Aiken has been part of the North Carolina Community College System since 2000. “Hopefully, I can continue the vital role the college plays in serving its many constituents,” Aiken said in a statement. “While I recognize that my appointment is temporary, I will make every effort to keep the college moving in a positive direction.” Aiken was president of Sampson Community College from 2000-2012 years. Since then,…
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Randolph Community College, state  honors Shackleford’s influence, passion

Randolph Community College, state honors Shackleford’s influence, passion

ASHEBORO — Outgoing Randolph Community College president Dr. Robert Shackleford Jr. is leaving with more distinctions. Shackleford was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on April 27. That came as part of the ribbon cutting for the Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Allied Health Center. Members of the Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board, faculty, staff, students, state legislators, and members of the Randolph County community were on hand on the front lawn and in the lobby of the Center. “When (Board of Trustees Chair Mac Sherrill) announced they were going to name it the Robert Shackleford Jr.…
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Community College report shows major economic impact

Community College report shows major economic impact

RALEIGH — A comprehensive new economic impact analysis finds that North Carolina’s 58 Community Colleges have a $19 billion annual impact on the state’s economy and supports more than 320,000 jobs across the state. The economic impact study found for every dollar the state invests in North Carolina’s Community Colleges, the state gains $7.50 in added incomes and social savings. The colleges generate nearly double the revenue from what they take in from the taxpayers. For every $1 the state invests, taxpayers get $1.90 back in added tax revenues and public sector savings, according to the study. “The Community College…
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RCC president to retire

RCC president to retire

Community Colleges president Thomas Stith and RCC president Shackleford talk to third-year Apprenticeship Randolph apprentice Abby Goss in the Gene Haas Computer-Integrated Machining Institute. (Photos courtesy of Randolph Community College)   ASHEBORO – Randolph Community College president Dr. Robert Shackleford is retiring after slightly more than 15 years in the position and more than two decades at the two-year school. Shackleford notified the board of trustees and later emailed a letter to faculty and staff Jan. 20 to notify them of his intentions. “These 15 years you have granted me the opportunity to serve as President of RCC have been…
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First scholarship awarded honoring long-time deputy

First scholarship awarded honoring long-time deputy

Colonel Fred “Freddie” Wilson Rutledge, II created a legacy of service during his 38 years of law enforcement service. Following his death in July of 2020, Rutledge’s friends and family ensured that his legacy would extend to future generations with the founding of a scholarship fund in his memory.  Last week, the first Fred Rutledge scholarship at Randolph Community College was awarded to Cadet Justice McDaniel. He will be part of the 89th Basic Law Enforcement Training class at RCC.  Randolph County District Attorney Andy Gregson began promoting the scholarship fund, along with other friends and family of Rutledge, just…
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RCC honor society welcomes new members

RCC honor society welcomes new members

ASHEBORO — On Dec. 8 Randolph Community College hosted a virtual ceremony to induct new members to Beta Theta Rho, the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, a national higher education honor society. With 1,280 chapters on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States, membership in PTK is by invitation only. Students must complete 12 hours of coursework toward an associate degree, 6 hours toward a one-year certificate, or 12 hours toward a bachelor's degree and have a minimum 3.5 grade point average. The newly inducted students — identified by hometowns — are: Asheboro: Joshua…
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Apprenticeship Randolph honors first graduates, signs 14 more

Apprenticeship Randolph honors first graduates, signs 14 more

ASHEBORO — Apprenticeship Randolph, a local initiative from local businesses, Randolph Community College, Randolph County Schools and Asheboro City Schools, celebrated its inaugural class of graduates earlier this month. Apprenticeship Randolph began in June 2016 as a collaboration among Randolph Community College, the Randolph County School System, Asheboro City Schools, the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, and local manufacturers. The goal was to bridge both the interest and skill gaps in modern manufacturing and provide a vehicle for expanding the workforce pool for advance manufacturing in the county. The program allows participants a debt-free education. The program is for high school…
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RCC cancels live graduation ceremony

RCC cancels live graduation ceremony

ASHEBORO — A planned in-person graduation ceremony at Randolph Community College scheduled for Aug. 27 has been cancelled. The event was intended to celebrate students who completed degree programs in Fall 2020, Spring 2021 and Summer 2021. The ceremony was optional for graduates. The school made the cancellation announcement Monday saying they based their decision on “new information.”
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RCC pays off student account balances

RCC pays off student account balances

ASHEBORO — Randolph Community College recently paid off outstanding student debt for approximately 200 students. The amount totaled nearly $113,000. Any student who was enrolled at the College between March 13, 2020 — the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — until the end of the Summer 2021 semester was eligible for the assistance. In addition to paying off outstanding student account balances, RCC has provided emergency financial assistance for food, housing, laptops, and internet access.  
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RCC pushes for more students as numbers lag

RCC pushes for more students as numbers lag

ASHEBORO — Enrollment at Randolph Community College isn’t likely to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels right away despite a school official pointing out unprecedented financial incentives for potential students. Chad Williams, vice president for student services at RCC, said a decline in high school students in dual enrollment has been the biggest reason for a dip. “Overall, we’re still seeing a decline in enrollment comparing to previous years prior to the pandemic,” Williams said. “I don’t know if we’ll get to numbers we’ve seen in previous fall semesters. … We’re reaching out to every student we can in every way…
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