November 11, 2009
For Immediate Release

RCCC Hosts State Educators Conference

                 SALISBURY, N.C. — Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) recently hosted the North Carolina Association of Developmental Education (NCADE) western regional conference at the college's North Campus, in Salisbury.

                  Approximately 100 administrators, educators and practitioners of developmental education throughout western North Carolina attended the professional-development event. Claudia Swicegood, NCADE board member, western regional chair and RCCC Reading Center coordinator, organized and planned the conference.

                  Twenty RCCC faculty members served as presenters at the conference, which carried the theme "Quality Time." Many of the conference sessions focused on ways developmental educators can make the best use of limited resources during tough economic times.

                  Dr. Marcy Corjay, RCCC dean of science, biotechnology and mathematics, led a conference session on RCCC's biotechnology programs and work on the North Carolina Research Campus, in Kannapolis.

                  Debra NeeSmith, RCCC dean of instructional technologies, demonstrated the use of advanced technology in 21st century classrooms, while other RCCC faculty members discussed best instruction practices in reading, English, math and study skills development.

                 Guest speakers at the conference included architect Karen Alexander, who explained the education involved in "going green," and Patrick Saxon from the National Center of Developmental Education in Boone, N.C. Saxon discussed national trends and emerging data in developmental education.

               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.