Design student wins logo contest for RCC’s NSF-funded ACCTION initiative

A Randolph Community College (RCC) Graphic Design student has won a contest to help design the official logo for a National Science Foundation (NSF) project aimed at transforming the way mathematics is taught in community colleges across the country.

Lizbeth Estrada-Jaimes earned first place in RCC’s ACCTION Project Logo Design Contest, with Abigail Rose Jones placing second and Zarih Lashay Goree placing third. Estrada-Jaimes will work with the RCC Marketing and Communications Department and the ACCTION team, including Chandler-Guilbert Community College (Ariz.), on building the logo and branding. The final design will serve as the visual identity for the ACCTION project — Advancing Community College Teaching, Innovations to Overhaul Norms (ACCTION) — a national initiative led by RCC to promote active learning strategies in mathematics classrooms.

“It really means a lot to me as a graphic designer; I feel very seen,” Estrada-Jaimes said.

Design Programs Department Head Loryn Smith said the contest gave students a rare opportunity to contribute to a project with national impact.

“This was a unique opportunity for our students to work with a real client on an initiative that is both nationally reaching and yet rooted here at RCC,” she said. “It also gave them the chance to collaborate across different areas of the College, engaging with people and perspectives they may not typically encounter. Experiences like this push students to think more professionally, engage more deeply with their work, and understand the real impact of their design. It encourages them to think bigger, take ownership of their ideas, and approach their work with a greater sense of purpose. We’re grateful to have been part of a project that is both close to home and extends far beyond campus."

President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said the collaboration demonstrates how RCC connects classroom learning with meaningful real-world opportunities.

“Opportunities like this allow our students to connect their classroom learning to real-world impact, gain valuable experience, and contribute to innovation that reaches far beyond our campus,” he said.

By inviting students to help design the project’s official logo, RCC is providing a hands-on learning experience that strengthens student portfolios while reinforcing the College’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and student success.

The contest was coordinated through RCC’s Design Programs and invited students to develop a professional brand identity for the federally funded research project. The final design will be used in promotional materials, communications, and project resources as ACCTION moves into its full implementation phase.

The winner was surprised during a Graphic Design class on RCC’s Asheboro Campus with a Certificate of Achievement and an award gift card recognizing the accomplishment. The event also highlighted the collaboration between RCC’s Mathematics Department and the Arts, Science, and Education Division, showcasing the cross-disciplinary work taking place at the College.

“This partnership between the Mathematics Department and the Arts, Science, and Education Division showcases the professional-grade talent of our students and the collaborative spirit of the ACCTION project,” Mathematics Instructor and Principal Investigator for ACCTION Dr. Carrie Lineberry said. “We are honored to have a student-created identity represent our institutional commitment to overhauling instructional norms and advancing active learning strategies.”

Made possible by a $1.1 million NSF grant, the ACCTION project is designed to accelerate the shift from lecture-based instruction to more engaging, student-centered learning in foundational mathematics courses. Through research, open educational resources, and professional development, the initiative aims to support faculty nationwide in adopting innovative teaching approaches.

The project is currently entering its implementation phase, with RCC leading efforts to expand active learning strategies and faculty collaboration across community colleges nationwide.

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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.