College opens Education and Engagement Center in downtown Asheboro
New location expands workforce training and business support
Randolph Community College (RCC) officially opened its new Education & Engagement Center (EEC) at 135 Sunset Ave. in downtown Asheboro with a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on Friday, Jan. 23. The new location expands RCC’s ability to deliver workforce training, small business support, and student services in close proximity to local employers and the business community.
The Education & Engagement Center serves as a hub for education, business development, and community connection in the heart of Randolph County. By locating the Center downtown, RCC is strengthening partnerships with businesses and making it easier for working adults, entrepreneurs, and employers to connect with training and resources that support workforce needs.
Designed with both student support and instruction in mind, the Center functions as an additional “front door” to RCC — offering community members and businesses a convenient place to get questions answered, access enrollment support, and connect with workforce training opportunities without traveling to the main campus.
“Access is the first promise we make to our community, and this Center is that promise in action,” President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “The Education and Engagement Center brings Randolph Community College closer to the people we serve — and closer to the businesses and employers driving our local economy. It creates new opportunities for workforce training, business support, and career advancement right here in downtown Asheboro. This is more than a building; it is a workforce gateway that strengthens our local economy while opening doors to education and opportunity.”
RCC Board Chair Reynolds Lisk opened the ceremony. “When he came to RCC, one of the first things [Dr. Ardalan] told me was he wanted the College to be a hub for this community,” Lisk said. “Today, we are bringing our campus to the community.”
“Today’s ribbon cutting represents an opportunity — an opportunity for students, an opportunity for our workforce, and for the future of our community,” Asheboro Mayor Joey Trogdon said.
N.C. Senator Dave Craven closed the ceremony noting, “A willing and able workforce is trained by the community college right here.”
Elected officials, community partners, and RCC faculty and staff gather for the ribbon cutting at the EEC, located at 135 Sunset Ave.
In addition to staff, faculty, and community members, elected officials and community partners in attendance included Craven; U.S. Sen. Tom Tillis Regional Representative, Mike Fenley; U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson Field Director, Daniel Dorociak; Randolph County Commissioner David Allen; Trogdon; former Asheboro Mayor David Smith; Asheboro Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Burks; City Council members Kelly Heath, Mary Joan Pugh, and Phillip Skeen; City Manager Donald Duncan; Asheboro-Randolph Chamber President Adam Deathe; Chamber Board Chair Richard Shoenberger; Ready Telecom Inc. President Al LaPrade; RCC Foundation Board members Robert Graves, Neal Griffin, and Ann Hoover; Lisk; RCC Board Vice Chair Chris Yow; and RCC Board members Alvin Battle, James Goudy, Grant Hollowell, Allen McNeill, Cindy Schroder, and Bill Wittenberg.
The EEC supports RCC’s long-term efforts to expand community-based learning opportunities, offer wraparound enrollment services, and provide space for engagement activities that bring education and resources directly into the community. The Center also creates new opportunities for collaboration with local employers and organizations by providing a convenient downtown space for training, workshops, and engagement — supporting RCC’s mission of connecting education to workforce needs.
“Randolph Community College is committed to fostering learning, engagement, and meaningful exchange among students and the broader community. To advance this vision, the college established the Education & Engagement Center,” EEC Coordinator Abraham Encinas said. “The EEC aligns with the college’s strategic plan, ACES: Access, Connection, Experience, and Success. Through this alignment, the EEC seeks to connect students, faculty, staff, employers, and local communities to expand access to education, training, and career opportunities, while fostering collaboration and success for all stakeholders.”
The EEC features two classrooms that will host programming based on community and employer needs, including ESOL courses beginning in February, with additional workforce training and small business programming planned in the months ahead.
RCC invites community members and organizations to use the space for meetings and small gatherings. To reserve a meeting space, visit https://randolphcc.wufoo.com/forms/rcc-facility-use-request-a-eec/.
For more information, call 336-328-1755 or email educationandengagement@randolph.edu. The Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
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About Randolph Community College: Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, is committed to providing relevant career training and educational opportunities. Ranked No. 1 in North Carolina by Niche.com, the College offers affordable degrees and short-term certificate programs that start throughout the year, both in person and online. To register, visit randolph.edu/register or call 336-633-0200 and expect to engage with the most competent and compassionate team of faculty and staff.