Rowan Cabarrus Community College’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a strategic plan that will bring the college through the next three years.

The new strategic plan saw very few changes.

“We don’t have to reinvent the wheel here. The core mission of the college stays the same,” said President Carol Spalding.

The Board of Trustees, along with college faculty and staff began the strategic planning process in September, and included feedback from businesses and local government

The college’s vision of “building sustainable futures through the power of learning,” and mission of using public higher education and workforce development to improve lives and build the community were left untouched.

The statement of purpose was also unchanged, except the associate’s in general education program was added to the list of degree programs offered.

The college’s values some minor changes, but essentially stayed the same.

“We’ve refined it,” Spalding said.

The college’s goals and objectives maintained a very similar format, but added additional focus to preparing workers for regional market needs, the college’s reaccreditation process, technology and maintaining quality faculty members. The college also added the arts as an academic focus in addition to science, technology, engineering and math courses.

 

In other news, at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Board of Trustees meeting:

• Chief Information Officer in Information Technology Services Ken Ingle announced that the college will launch its mobile application in January. Students will be able to register for courses, view their class schedule and even get directions to the college with the device.
• Craig Lamb, vice president of corporate and continuing education administration, updated the board on the college’s relationship with energy service provider Alevo.

“The economy has turned,” Lamb said. “We’re helping jobs find people.”

The college is helping the company sift through nearly 3,000 applicants and “narrow down the interview pool,” he added.

The college will also help with the company’s customized on-boarding training.

Applicants will be referred to programs, activities and trainings that will help them grow professionally.