Rockingham Community College's new president says college must "reignite" mission to support county workforce

Dr. Sylvia Cox, the newly installed president of Rockingham Community College (RCC), appeared on the chamber's 100th-episode program to discuss the college's role in local workforce development and community partnership. Cox, introduced as the first female president of RCC, said she sees the college as a community anchor and wants to "reignite" its mission to align training with employer needs.

Cox highlighted existing RCC initiatives including early college, CTE (career and technical education) high school programs, apprenticeships and internships. "When students get the opportunity to take that learning into a real non-scenario event and apply it," she said, "it is life changing." Cox said she intends to deepen ties between the college and industry to create local career pathways and encourage graduates to remain in the county.

She cited recent local investments in the college's facilities (referenced on the program as supported by a quarter-cent sales tax) and said Raleigh and county-scale workforce strategies make the college a "North Star" for regional economic development. Cox described plans to expand apprenticeships and internships and urged businesses to consider hosting placements that could lead to pre-apprenticeships or employment.

The interview closed with a promise to return to the program to report back on specific examples of partnerships and outcomes; no binding agreements or new funding announcements were made on-air.