August 24, 2009
For Immediate Release

RCCC's Enrollment Up Almost 20 Percent
College sets enrollment record

               SALISBURY, N.C. — As expected, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's fall 2009 semester enrollment has reached a record-high level.

               Approximately 7,000 students currently are enrolled at RCCC, roughly 1,130 more than in fall 2008, an increase of 19.3 percent. The number of students taking a full-time course load has increased almost 26 percent - 2,895 now compared to 2,300 in fall 2008.

               "We expect some enrollment fluctuations over the next couple of weeks; however, we expect to hover around 7,000 fall semester students," said Gaye McConnell, RCCC vice president for student services. "We have added class sections, and some of our classes are larger than usual, but the college has worked hard to accommodate as many students as possible."

              RCCC attributes its enrollment surge to the scores of unemployed individuals in both counties who are coming to the college for training in a new career field and increased numbers of traditional age students who are choosing to start their college studies at RCCC.

               The college anticipates another enrollment jump in the coming weeks. As many as 300 more students will start classes at RCCC in September and October, enrolling in the college's JobsNOW certificate programs. JobsNOW is a statewide community college initiative to train workers quickly to re-enter the job market in fields that are in demand locally and across the state. The programs will take only six months or less to complete.

               In addition to receiving the training needed to start a new career, those completing a JobsNOW program will receive Career Readiness Certification (CRC). The CRC is a national program that helps job applicants show proof of their basic skills to employers. The certificate is a portable credential, allowing job searchers to use it anywhere in the United States to demonstrate their competence in key foundational skills.

               RCCC has received $350,000 in federal stimulus money to develop JobsNOW training programs and pay instructors to teach the courses. Normal North Carolina community college tuition rates apply. However, some JobsNOW education and training funds are available for unemployed persons through local Workforce Development Boards.

               RCCC will offer 13 JobsNOW certificate programs. These programs are:

• Administrative Professional;
• Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration;
• Basic Supervision;
• Biotechnology;
• Brick Masonry;
• Customer Service;
• Electronics Engineering;
• Light Construction/ Carpentry;
• Nurse Aide;
• Pharmacy Technician;
• Small Business Office Management;
• Welding Technology; and
• Wiring and National Electric Code (NEC).

               For more information about RCCC's JobsNOW programs, call the R3 Center at 704-216-7201. The R3 Center is located at 164 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., in Kannapolis. See also information on the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu/jobsNOW/.

               RCCC is a comprehensive, community-based institution of higher learning, serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus counties in North Carolina. RCCC is one of 58 colleges in the state-supported North Carolina Community College System.

                RCCC offers fully-accredited associate-degree programs in more than 40 areas of study, including arts and sciences, business, information technology, health and public services, and engineering technologies. RCCC also offers accredited diploma and certificate programs focused on career training, continuing education and basic skills education. RCCC provides a strong foundation and transferable credits for students moving on to four-year colleges and universities and helps adults get the additional training they need to start new careers.

               RCCC annually provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving an overall enrollment of approximately 20,000 students. In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus being developed in Kannapolis. For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu.