RCC selected for statewide N.C. Gateway Math in CTE Initiative

Randolph Community College (RCC) has been selected as one of seven community colleges statewide to participate in N.C. Gateway Math in CTE, a Perkins Leadership project designed to directly connect gateway mathematics instruction with real-world career applications.

Through this initiative, RCC mathematics and career and technical education (CTE) faculty are collaborating with local industry partners to redesign how math is taught—ensuring students apply mathematical concepts using the same processes found in today’s workforce. RCC is currently piloting a simulation based on the Contextualized Instruction in Mathematics Integration (CIMI) model, where students act as Income Maintenance Caseworker trainees using real, anonymized data provided by the Randolph County Department of Social Services (DSS).

“This work represents exactly what higher education must do,” RCC President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “When students can clearly see how mathematics applies to real careers in their own community, barriers fall, confidence rises, and completion follows. This initiative reflects RCC’s commitment to relevance, career-centered learning, and student success.”

The project is supported by the North Carolina Community College System Perkins Leadership Project and facilitated by the Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD), placing RCC among a select cohort advancing instructional innovation statewide. The College was recently awarded a $1.1 million National Science Foundation grant to lead ACCTION — Advancing Community College Teaching, Innovations to Overhaul Norms — a five-year, national initiative to accelerate the shift from lecture-heavy instruction to active learning foundational mathematics.

“Integrating real-world industry demands into the mathematics classroom is vital for equipping students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills local employers expect,” RCC Mathematics Instructor Dr. Carrie Lineberry said. “This project allows students to experience the exact same mathematical processes used in local careers, ensuring they are truly prepared for the workforce.”

A key component of the initiative is a newly released project video highlighting the long-term impact of career-aligned education through the experience of a former RCC student and Scott A. Smith, Department Head of Human Services Technology. The video illustrates how classroom learning directly translates into professional success and workforce readiness. Watch the project video here: https://youtu.be/WosNzqO-ZAU?si=IOzd7o5MZZ9zfK14.

“RCC is fortunate to have such a great relationship with the Department of Social Services in Randolph County,” Smith said. “Many thanks to our DSS Director, Tracie Murphy, for being such a great partner and helping us obtain the needed data for this project.”

By using industry-aligned scenarios and standardized formulas applied in high-stakes professional environments, the initiative strengthens student self-efficacy, improves course completion, and reinforces RCC’s ACES strategic priorities of Access, Connection, Experience, and Success, while advancing the college’s RCC 2.0 vision to remain Relevant, Career-centered, and Committed.

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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.