RCCC Presidential Search

Carol Spalding is new RCCC President

Carol Spalding The Rowan-Cabarrus Board of Trustees has chosen Carol S. Spalding, Ed.D., to be RCCC's third and next president. Spalding currently serves as president of the Open Campus of Florida Community College at Jacksonville.

During a June 9 called meeting, board members unanimously approved a recommendation from its personnel committee to name Spalding president. The board's action ended a search process that began in late 2007 and attracted a candidate pool of 43 qualified applicants. Spalding was one of five finalists for the position who came to RCCC for interviews and campus tours in late April. Her tentative starting date at RCCC is August 11.

"I am excited the trustees of RCCC have unanimously chosen Dr. Spalding to be our next president," said Ray Paradowski, chair of the RCCC board. "The board thanks a great number of people here at the college and throughout Cabarrus and Rowan counties who participated and contributed in many ways to our systematic and comprehensive search process to select someone for this important position. I believe all will be pleased with the result of their efforts."

Spalding has worked as the Open Campus president of Florida Community College since 1988. She also served as the president of the Downtown Campus from 1998-2001 and as interim college president in 1997. Her other leadership experience includes serving as dean of the open campus, director of continuing education, program coordinator/counselor and instructor of management at Florida Community College.

She has been a board member of the American Association of Community Colleges since 2005. She also has held a number of community leadership positions in Jacksonville.

Spalding holds a bachelor's degree in international studies from the University of Louisville and a master's degree in human resource management from Pepperdine University in Santa Ana, Calif. She earned a doctorate in education from Columbia University in New York.

"Dr. Spalding comes to RCCC not only as a perfect fit for the desired profile in our search, but also with extensive leadership knowledge and experience," Paradowski said. "She will apply her knowledge and skills to continue the successes everyone at our college has been so instrumental in developing and will open new doors into our ever-changing world of technological advances.

"Her desire to create an environment of collaborative and cooperative initiatives to serve the educational needs of students and meet workforce demands is quite evident. Dr. Spalding has demonstrated she will move beyond the office walls, as shown by her external accomplishments establishing a large campus in an inactive shopping mall and working collaboratively with the U.S. Navy. I look forward to Dr. Spalding joining the team at RCCC," Paradowski added.

Spalding succeeds Richard L. Brownell, who retired May 31 after leading the college as president for more than 30 years.

"Our presidential search is complete, and I am pleased with the success of the process and the selection of our new president," said Pat Fulcher, RCCC trustee and chair of the board's presidential search committee.

"I know the great work of the college will continue under the guidance of Carol Spalding and the other leaders of RCCC. I know the future of the college will be well planned to meet the new and expanding needs of the community and our students."

NEWS

06-21-08: State board approves new RCCC president (Independent Tribune)

06-18-08: State board must approve Spalding as RCCC president (Independent Tribune)

06-12-08: College's new leader known for innovation (Charlotte Observer)

06-10-08: Editorial: Evolving role for community colleges (Salisbury Post)

06-10-08: RCCC chooses new president
(Salisbury Post)

06-10-08: Community college names president (Independent Tribune)

06-09-08: RCCC names new president
(Charlotte Observer)

06-09-08: RCCC Board Chooses Carol Spalding to be College's Next President

06-06-08: RCCC Board of Trustees Will Hold Called Meeting June 9

05-01-08: Spalding wants to take RCCC outside the box (Salisbury Post)

04-30-08: Chandler happy to serve as interim RCCC President (Salisbury Post)

04-30-08: Dunn ready to lead RCCC into future (Salisbury Post)

04-29-08: RCCC Board Seeks to Name Chandler Acting President

04-29-08: Chew ready to sink teeth into RCCC (Salisbury Post)

04-27-08: Bell vows to be open and accessible (Charlotte Observer)

04-26-08: Second RCCC candidate knows fundraising (Salisbury Post)

04-24-08: Candidate for RCCC president went from dropout to doctorate
(Salisbury Post)

04-20-08: Opportunity to lead RCCC excites finalists (Independent Tribune)

04-18-08: College names finalists
(Independent Tribune)

04-17-08: RCCC Announces Presidential Search Finalists

04-08-08: Editorial: Letting public in on the hunt (Salisbury Post)

03-31-08: RCCC Presidential Search Continues, Six Finalists Selected

03-26-08: School's presidential search down to six / RCCC officials say finalists' list could be a month away
(Independent Tribune)

02-24-08: College begins process for choosing president (Charlotte Observer)

02-21-08: RCCC Starts Selection Process / Committee Evaluating Applications for President

02-05-08: Community college expands presidential search committee (Independent Tribune)

01-31-08: With 2 weeks left, 20 vying for RCCC chief (Charlotte Observer)

01-29-08: Search continues for a new RCCC president (Salisbury Post)

01-28-08: RCCC Board Gets President Search Update

12-13-07: RCCC creates criteria for hiring new president (Independent Tribune)

11-26-07: RCCC Board Hears Update on Presidential Search

11-08-07: RCCC Board Hosts Community Forums / Local Residents Asked to Share Thoughts on Presidential Search

09-24-07: RCCC Board Chooses Firm For Presidential Search

04-30-07: RCCC President Announces June 2008 Retirement Date

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a comprehensive, community-based institution, 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 also provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the emerging workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus, under construction in Kannapolis.

Rowan and Cabarrus counties are part of the Charlotte, N.C., metro area, one of the fastest growing regions of the United States. The region is a short drive to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the famed Carolina beaches. Outdoor activities include boating, hiking, professional and college sports, and some of the nation's outstanding golf courses. While part of a large metropolitan region, Rowan and Cabarrus counties have maintained their small-town friendliness and southern charm.

Presidential Profile


Qualifications:

		An earned doctorate strongly preferred with a minimum requirement of a master's degree.

		Minimum of three years senior-level community college experience or equivalent required.


Desired Traits & Characteristics:

		A record of ethical administration, high personal integrity, and fair and honest leadership.

		An accessible and approachable leader with a demonstrated ability to develop a high level of trust with superiors, peers, subordinates and the greater community.

		An understanding of and passion for the community college mission, the needs of community college students, and the needs of the service area including the ability to work in a multi-campus environment.

		A creative leader who can build and support a culture of accountability and who is committed to academic excellence, student success, and high quality accessible programs and services.

		A visible leader who possesses strong communication and interpersonal skills and has demonstrated an ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and administration and is committed to fostering diversity.

		A demonstrated record of visionary and effective leadership that includes balanced support for programs and services across the College and support for cutting edge technology, innovation and programs.

		An openness to diverse opinions and ideas and a proven commitment to using the talents and skills of the faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders in the decision-making process.

		A record of community leadership and demonstrated ability to build consensus with and reach out to various and diverse stakeholders within the region.

		A demonstrated ability to build and implement effective plans that include actively supporting the development of partnerships between the College and other entities throughout our service area.

		An entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to develop innovative programs and work with others to support the economic development efforts and workforce preparation needs of the service area.

		An understanding and commitment to establishing an effective relationship and strong accountability to the Board of Trustees.

		A record of decisiveness and good judgment that leads to effective and efficient advancement of the organization.

		A demonstrated ability to effectively oversee the management of fiscal affairs, ensure the equitable and effective allocation of resources, and expand the resource base of the College through alternative funding.

		An articulate spokesperson for the College locally, statewide, and nationally, as well as being politically astute with proven advocacy skills and a solid understanding of local, state, and national legislative processes and issues.