RCC events lead to education, jobs
Randolph Community College hosted two events at the end of January — one to spark interest in its Career and College Promise (CCP) program and the other to bring in more instructors to the College — both on Tuesday, Jan. 30. More than 150 interested students and parents from the community attended the first-ever CCP Parent Information, while the College’s Insight Ignition: Professional and Skilled Trade Fair boasted many applicants and led to the hiring of several new RCC instructors.
Randolph Community College Director of Educational Partnerships and Initiatives Misty West gives a presentation about the College’s Career and College Promise (CCP) program to attendees of the first-ever CCP Parent Information Night, held Tuesday, Jan. 30, in the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center Auditorium.
“We are thrilled with the success of both events,” RCC President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “I’m grateful for the teams that put such successful events together. The Parent Information Night served as a vital platform to ignite interest in our CCP program, providing valuable insights into the educational opportunities and pathways we offer. The Trade Fair was a resounding success, as it brought together individuals with valuable expertise and a passion for education. Both events underscore our commitment to providing opportunities and strengthening our ties with the community.”
The CCP Program allows high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to take tuition free college courses with the possibility of earning both high school and college credit. At the Information Night, 61 students signed up saying they were interested in RCC classes.
The Trade Fair welcomed those experienced in the professional or skilled trades or in adult education interested in joining the RCC team as instructors. The Workforce Development and Continuing Education Department hired an EMS instructor and is in talks with two law enforcement officers, while a plumbing instructor, a welding instructor, and an OSHA instructor were hired with four other instructor offers to start new courses and programs. Kent Prillaman, a current Computer-Integrated Machining student who will graduate in May and retired veteran, was hired as a part-time welding instructor.
“I don’t believe in coincidence,” he said, noting he took photo finishing at the College straight out of high school in 1977, but didn’t finish the degree and joined the military instead. “I figured I’d throw my hat back in the ring. I’ve got a pretty good GPA — I want to make my mother proud.”
RCC’s College and Career Readiness Department had 11 people apply and hired seven, including Kenneth Wilson, who will be teaching a digital literacy class.
“I was looking into some of the continuing education opportunities [RCC has] with the students you serve,” he said. “I teach leadership development and student success, and I’ve had my own business working in college-readiness education for the last five or six years. I’m very familiar with the community college and junior college setting.”
Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President/CEO Dr. 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.