SALISBURY, N.C. — Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has received a $900,000 grant from the North Carolina Community College System to upgrade its North Campus health and science program laboratories and classrooms.

            RCCC will use two-thirds of the grant to transform existing space into a new, fully digitized radiography laboratory. The remainder of the grant will help the college upgrade labs and classrooms used to teach biology and chemistry courses.

            The new radiography lab will offer students state-of-the-art equipment, including the Quantum Q-RAD IQ Digital Radiographic System.

            “The new radiography lab, with the Quantum Q-RAD IQ Digital Radiographic System, will greatly enhance our ability to prepare students for careers at our local and regional medical centers,” explained Terry Chapman, RCCC dean of health and public service programs.

            In a controlled lab environment, students will develop entry-level skills using high-tech digital imaging equipment before they begin working with patients in a clinical setting, said Frankie Lyons, RCCC radiography program head.

            “The new radiography lab will be a great benefit to our students, our health institution partners, and anyone in the region in need of such care,” Lyons added.

            The new radiography lab will require major renovations in RCCC’s 600 Building to upgrade electrical service, create space for the new equipment and provide a functional layout for instruction. RCCC is seeking foundation assistance to help with the overall cost of the project.

            RCCC offers associate-degree programs in radiography and nursing (RN), and one-year diploma programs and dental assisting and nursing (LPN). For more information about these programs, call RCCC’s Student Services department at 704-216-3593 or 216-3637.

           Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a comprehensive, community-based institution of higher learning, serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus Counties. RCCC offers approximately 40 programs of study in business, health and human services and engineering technologies at multiple campus locations. RCCC annually provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving an enrollment of approximately 20,000 adult students. RCCC programs include an associate degree in arts and sciences, an associate degree in applied science, and diploma and certificate programs focusing on workforce training, continuing education and basic skills education.

           In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus, under construction in Kannapolis, N.C.

           For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu.