September 30, 2008
For Immediate Release

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Sees Enrollment Growth

          SALISBURY, N.C. — For a second consecutive year, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has made room for more students.

           RCCC's total enrollment is up 6.3 percent over its fall 2007 semester. The number of full-time students is up 6.9 percent over fall 2007.

           RCCC President Carol Spalding reported during college's September 29 Board of Trustees meeting that RCCC's current total enrollment or headcount is 5,868, up 347 students over fall 2007. The number of students taking a full course load stands at 2,300, up 148 over fall 2007.

           Spalding told the board some of the increase can be attributed to the local and statewide economic down turn. "It does reflect the economy," she said. "Our enrollment goes up as the economy goes down."

           The college also hosts two open house events a year to recruit prospective students and advertises through a number of media channels.

           This is the second year in a row RCCC has experienced enrollment growth. Fall 2007 semester total enrollment jumped 11 percent over 2006, while the number of full-time students grew approximately 15 percent.

           RCCC's eight-week, fall mini-semester starts Oct. 17 for on-line courses and Oct. 20 or 21 for other classes. The eight-week semester gives students the opportunity to earn full course credits in a condensed period of time.

           Morning, afternoon and evening courses are offered in addition to internet-based courses. Classes will meet one to three times a week at either RCCC's North or South Campus or its Cabarrus Business and Technology Center. Classes will conclude Dec. 15 or 16.

          RCCC will hold mini-semester registration Oct. 15 from 9-11 a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m., at the North and South Campus Student Services offices. For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu/registration/.

           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.