Over 200 High School Seniors on Track to Receive Free College

March 3, 2016 - Over 200 high school seniors have qualified for the RichmondCC Guarantee for two years free college tuition at Richmond Community College, according to Dr. Dale McInnis, president of the College.

McInnis informed the College’s Board of Trustees at Tuesday’s meeting that these students who are on track to receive the Guarantee would be celebrated at an event hosted by the College on April 28.

“We want to recognize these motivated students who have taken our college classes and achieved a 3.0 grade-point average or better in order to qualify for the RichmondCC Gurantee,” McInnis said. “We also are going to recognize the Guarantors, the many donors who have given to our scholarships and are helping to make this initiative possible.”

The RichmondCC Guarantee Celebration will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. April 28 at the Cole Auditorium. The public is invited to attend this event and learn more about how students qualify for the Guarantee and to explore interactive displays of all the College’s programs and services. Faculty and staff will be on hand to discuss programs of study and career opportunities, and prizes will be raffled off.

“We want this celebration of our Guarantee to inspire and motivate our young people to put in the work and make good grades, and we will reward them with two years of free college tuition for that effort,” McInnis said.

Human Services Program Providing Education for Jobs

The Board of Trustees approved two new concentrations for the Human Services Technology program, adding five new courses to each track of study.

Beginning this summer, students in the Human Services program can opt to concentrate in social services or substance abuse. According to Public Services Department Chair April Chavis-Johnson, these specialty areas were recommended by the Advisory Committee, which is made up of local employers in the human services field. Currently, there are 17 positions open locally that require skills in social services or substance abuse, she said.

“Adding these concentrations to our program is a direct response to employers in the social services area and the skill set they need for an effective workforce,” McInnis said.

Connect NC Bond Vote Nears

As the March 15 primary election date nears, the Connect NC campaign has kicked into high gear its efforts to promote the passage of the $2 billion bond that would fund higher education, state parks, agriculture and infrastructure in North Carolina. McInnis has been very vocal in his support of the bond, which if passed, would provide RichmondCC with $7.22 million for long-standing facility improvements and renovations. He reported to the Board of Trustees about his activities in support of the bond, including speaking at local civic groups, city and county meetings. He also submitted a letter to the editor to the daily newspapers serving Richmond and Scotland counties.

The Board of Trustees passed a Resolution of Support for the Connect NC Bond in November and has also worked to educate individuals about the positive impact the bond would have on Richmond and Scotland counties. Next Board Meeting The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at 7 p.m. April 5 at the Honeycutt Center in Laurinburg.

Next Board Meeting

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at 7 p.m. April 5 at the Honeycutt Center in Laurinburg.