Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

KANNAPOLIS — Rowan-Cabarrus Community College will move its cosmetology, esthetics and manicuring programs in Kannapolis to a new location as a result of the city’s downtown revitalization.

The current location at 120 West Ave. is a key site in the city’s plans to bring a new stadium to downtown.

The school’s new location will be in a former shopping center at 489 Cannon Blvd.

The college will continue to offer classes and services to clients at the West Avenue site until the move.

“When the college moved downtown to 120 West Ave. in summer 2015, we did not anticipate needing to relocate this soon. However, we are extremely supportive of the city’s efforts to revitalize downtown Kannapolis and stimulate economic growth and development. Additionally, the city is committed to make us whole by providing comparable space that is ultimately a better fit for us,” said college President Carol S. Spalding.

The college will begin offering classes and seeing clients at the new location for the fall 2018 semester.

“We appreciate Dr. Carol Spalding and her staff working with us to ensure we are able to move forward with our downtown revitalization project. Our strong partnership is invaluable,” said Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant.

The new location will provide improvements for the college. For instance, the cosmetology program is now housed on two floors, making teaching arrangements and oversight challenging.

“This opportunity is a good move for the college. The new site’s footprint will be an even better match for our program needs. It was important to the college for the lease with the city to be the same terms and conditions and honor the financial commitment approved by the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners,” said Carl M. Short, chairman of the Rowan-Cabarrus board of trustees. “I am pleased that this will be a new 20-year lease with those same terms and conditions.”

The city of Kannapolis is looking to adjust the CK Rider bus route to make sure clients and students can easily access the new campus location.

“We take pride in our ability to be a nimble and flexible partner in the community, and we are committed to being a catalyst for change in the region. We believe that this move will be a win-win for both the college and the city of Kannapolis,” said Spalding.

As part of ongoing revitalization efforts, the city will landscape the parking lot and the area around the former shopping center.

“Another big benefit to us is that our clients and students won’t be affected by all of the changes and the construction that the city will undergo in the next couple of years,” said Spalding.

The cosmetology program is one of the largest and most successful in the state.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to locate the entire program on a single level and provide a more efficient learning space for all of our students,” said Wanda Pressley-Altman, chairwoman of the program. “We teach everything there is to teach about beauty, including all things hair, skin and nails. We also teach introduction to small business management and sociology to round out the degree.”

The cosmetology curriculum is designed to provide competency-based knowledge, scientific and artistic principles and hands-on fundamentals associated with the cosmetology industry. The curriculum provides a simulated salon environment that enables students to develop manipulative skills.

“We want to retain the storefront operation as part of the realistic job experience for students,” said Spalding.

The new location will continue to offer cosmetology, manicuring and esthetic programs, as well as other classes such as nurse’s aide and resume and interview support services for job seekers.

The new lease that continues through 2038 will be final soon.

For more information about cosmetology, manicuring and esthetic services, call 704-792-9788.

A list of the current services offered, along with costs, can be found at www.rccc.edu/cos.

For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, visit www.rccc.edu or call 704-216-7222.