RCC shines spotlight on lawmakers with successful Legislative Appreciation Reception

Randolph Community College (RCC) welcomed several esteemed state legislators to its Asheboro Campus on Friday, Oct. 6, for a Legislators Appreciation Reception.

“I want to express our sincere gratitude for your unwavering support and commitment to higher education in our state,” RCC President Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “Your dedication to improving the lives of our citizens through education is truly commendable, and we are incredibly thankful for your continued partnership. Your support has played a pivotal role in enabling us to provide quality education and training to countless students in our community. It has allowed us to expand our programs, invest in cutting-edge technology, and ensure that our faculty and staff have the resources they need to excel in their roles.”

Among the notable attendees were Sens. Dave Craven Jr. and Amy Galey, and Reps. Brian Biggs, Neal Jackson, and Robert Reives II. Additionally, Stephanie Blair, Regional Representative for Senator Thom Tillis, and Cam Mills, District Field Director for Representative Richard Hudson, were on hand along with noteworthy figures from the local government including Darrell Frye, Chair of the Randolph County Commissioners, and several Randolph County Commissioners.

The event commenced with a tour of several of RCC's state-of-the-art facilities, providing the guests with an immersive look into the College’s dedication to providing students with top-notch resources and learning environments.

RCC then hosted the reception in the Allied Health Center, which brought together local elected officials, and community representatives including K-12 superintendents, the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, Randolph Health leaders, local law enforcement, and industry partners along with RCC Board members, RCC Foundation Board directors, faculty, and staff. RCC Board Chair Reynolds Lisk and Frye addressed the audience.

“Randolph County is an exciting place to be right now, and so is RCC,” Lisk said. “When we began our search process for a new president, community leaders, including our county commissioners conveyed the importance of finding someone who can take our community college to the next level. We think we found that person. Dr. Shah is almost 90 days into his presidency. He has been incredibly busy getting to know people all around our county and for them to get to know him. He does this because he cares about the community college, its students, its mission, and we can’t do this alone.”

“Relationships have never been more important than they are today,” Frye added, noting that school board members, school superintendents, law enforcement, fire and EMS, and citizens from all parts of the county were at the event. “We’re here this morning because we care about this process, we care about this school, and we care about what its importance is to Randolph County.”

The attending legislators also addressed the audience before presenting a symbolic check representing a generous allocation of $3 million for improvements and equipment at RCC, which was included in the state budget.

“I talked to Dr. Shah earlier, it’s around 90 percent of graduates here stay in Randolph County,” Craven said. “That is an incredible economic impact on our region. RCC prepares our folks for the next step in life. And it makes them career ready, which is something we all need to make sure we’re doing for every facet of this community to continue growing.”

Reives then spoke about growing up in a rural area in Lee County, like Randolph, and about his father trying to figure out his next step once he was discharged from the army.

“He’ll be the first to tell you that community college saved him,” he said. “You don’t know what it means to people to have this in your community. For those of you who work here, you’re setting an example and giving an opportunity that a lot of kids won’t have.”

Biggs said he thought of the reception as a big family gathering.

“A lot of groups do not get together and do not have the family atmosphere that we have here today,” said Biggs, whose children both dual-enrolled at the College. “My daughter is a year ahead at N.C. State — she saved so much money and time, and my son graduated in three years from Catawba because he was dual-enrolled here at RCC. I know the benefits of the partnerships here today. This is special.”

Galey, who is Chair of the Education/Higher Education and Appropriations on Education/Higher Education committees, was impressed with RCC.

“I’m blown away by this building and this campus,” she said. “As a former county commissioner, I know that a building like this would not happen without tremendous community support. This building is a living, standing testament to what I have seen reflected in the community spirit here. Everybody agrees on the importance of education.”

Jackson’s parents both graduated from RCC and whose youngest daughter is a current student.

“Walking through these buildings today, that’s what RCC is about — generations coming through here that are going to impact the world,” he said. “RCC is on the cutting edge, and they’re changing this community for the better.”

Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President Shah Ardalan, is committed to providing relevant career training and educational opportunities. Affordable degrees and short-term certificate programs start throughout the year, both in person and online. For more information, call 336-633-0200 or visit www.randolph.edu and expect to engage with the most competent and compassionate team of faculty and staff.