RCC and Uwharrie Charter Academy partner to create first high school math tutor internship

Randolph Community College (RCC) is celebrating a first-of-its-kind milestone as Career and College Promise (CCP) student Claire Hargett becomes the College’s first high school student intern to serve as a math tutor — outside of Apprenticeship Randolph.

Hargett, a student at Uwharrie Charter Academy (UCA), officially signed her internship agreement on Wednesday, Jan. 7, during UCA’s Internship Signing Ceremony, where students committed to completing 100 hours of hands-on, career-focused experience with local business and education partners.

Hargett thanked mathematics instructors Ellen Adams and Dr. Carrie Lineberry for recommending her for the tutoring position and Director of Student Success Rebekah Kingston for helping make the internship a reality.

“It means a great deal to me that my professors recognize my passion for math and see my potential to help others gain a better understanding of it,” Hargett said. “I hope other high school students see the importance of building genuine relationships with their professors because these connections can open doors they wouldn't have known about otherwise.”

She added that having President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, Vice President of Student Success Lisa Carlson, and Vice President of Learning and Workforce Development/CAO Dr. Lisa Johnson at the Signing Ceremony made her “feel like a real part of the RCC community.” The participation of College leadership underscored RCC’s commitment to expanding early college, work-based learning, and internship opportunities for local high school students.

As an RCC CCP student, Hargett has already completed MAT 171 (Precalculus Algebra) and MAT 271 (Calculus I) and is currently registered for MAT 272 (Calculus II). Her academic performance and strong faculty relationships paved the way for her to transition from student to tutor — supporting fellow RCC students while still in high school.

“This is exactly what happens when access, opportunity, and faculty engagement intersect,” Ardalan said. “Claire’s journey reflects the strength of our Career and College Promise program and the impact of meaningful faculty-student relationships. Her success highlights RCC 2.0 in action: Relevant, Career-centered, and Committed to student success — and demonstrates why Randolph Community College is where Access leads to Success.”

RCC hopes Hargett’s success will encourage more students and families to explore internships and dual-enrollment pathways that allow students to earn college credit, gain real-world experience, and build confidence before graduation.

The internship also reflects RCC’s growing partnership with Uwharrie Charter Academy, which hosted the ceremony recognizing 20 students entering internships across a variety of career fields. Seven additional students from a previous cohort also committed to continuing their internships into the spring semester, completing an additional 100 hours of experience.

“Claire’s internship is a perfect example of what can happen when businesses and educational partners are willing to invest in students,” UCA Career Academy Director James Green said. “These experiences and opportunities benefit not only the student, but the organization and the community as a whole. We hope stories like this encourage more local businesses to partner with us and discover the impact they can have on shaping the future workforce.”

Students interested in internships with RCC are encouraged to contact their high school Career Development Coordinator or RCC High School Career Coach at 336-318-4913 or highschoolhub@randolph.edu for more information.

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About Career and College Promise: Career and College Promise (CCP) is North Carolina’s dual enrollment program that allows eligible high school students to take college courses tuition-free while completing high school. Through CCP, students can earn transferable college credit, explore career pathways, and accelerate their education — often graduating high school with significant college coursework already completed. For more information on Randolph Community College’s program, visit https://www.randolph.edu/academics/high-school-opportunities/high-school-hub.aspx.

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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.