STUDENT SUCCESS

While grades might measure the experiences students have inside the classroom, the knowledge, skills, experiences and transformations that happen outside of the classroom are often the most profound.

“Even though students come to us to earn a degree, they often acquire much of their new knowledge outside of the classroom. Our ever-expanding set of extracurricular activities creates a holistic student experience, developing leaders and helping students engage in their community,” said Barb Meidl, director of student life and leadership development.

The College provides opportunities for groups of students to learn together and compete on the regional, state and national levels. And compete they do. Annually, the College comes home with multiple awards.

This year, not just one, but two Rowan-Cabarrus Community College students became the top students in the country at the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Ashton White was awarded the National Championship in Masonry, and Heidi Swinson was awarded the National Championship in Dental Assisting.

“We are so proud of our first place winners! What an accomplishment to train in your field and then compete, ranking number one across the entire country,” said President Spalding.

Annually, the College has the opportunity to select the Student Excellence Award winners to recognize the most outstanding leaders across the College.

“These finalists represent the best and brightest of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College,” said President Spalding. “We could not be more proud to recognize these students whose outstanding accomplishments reflect the core values of our college.”

The finalists were up for three prestigious awards. Mark Hill received the Academic Excellence Award, which recognizes the academic achievement, leadership and community service of one student from each of the 58 institutions in the North Carolina Community College System.

“What started out as a financial need to get a job turned into a life-changing, leadership development, career-building journey that literally has transformed our family’s future,” said Hill, who maintained a 4.0 GPA while earning his two engineering degrees and interning, where he was hired full-time after graduation.

Mai Ha was awarded the Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award. The award is named in honor of Robert W. Scott, who served as N.C. State Governor from 1969-1973 and as president of the North Carolina Community College System from 1983-1995.

“Mai has come to call Rowan-Cabarrus her saving grace. As a young mom, she struggled to achieve her dreams while balancing her role as a mom. With hard work and perseverance, Mai also took advantage of numerous leadership opportunities,” said Steve Morris, member of the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Board of Trustees and chair of the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners.

Sarah Bosse was awarded the Dallas Herring Achievement Award. Dr. Herring, a Duplin County native, is acknowledged as the philosophical godfather of the state’s community college system. He may be best known for his belief that education should be available to all and that community colleges should “….take people from where they are, to as far as they can go.”

Sarah had to give up multiple careers she loved due to her health challenges. She’ll tell you herself that she has experienced her share of failure. However, she is not giving up: she is re-imagining her life.

“By achieving my dream, I may not end world hunger or find a cure for a disease; but I will have made a difference, created some smiles, solved some problems, and hopefully restored some of our faith in humanity and God that we desperately need as a society,” said Bosse.