Good things are in the works for classrooms at Richmond Community College. Tuesday night, the RCC Board of Trustees met Fred Morris of Rockingham who was selected by the Kenan Fellows Program for Curriculum and Leadership Development to work with RCC to expand usage of i3D technology.

Kenan Fellows are selected from the most effective public school teachers across North Carolina and paired with research mentors in higher education or business to develop learning objects and lesson plans that will be made available to K-12 teachers statewide.

Vice President Johnnie Simpson said this is the first year community colleges have participated and is pleased RCC was selected to participate. She is glad Morris’ application focused on i3D technology. Over the next five years, Mechanical Engineering Technology Chairman Dr. Randy Henson and Dean of Instructional Programs Dr. Carl Howald will serve as his mentors. He will also provide in-service training for teachers interested in integrating i3D technology into their classrooms.

“I am really excited about this opportunity, especially to have it here in Richmond County,” said Morris. “I am proud to be among the first to work with community colleges and to be RCC’s first Kenan Fellow. I hope we will develop a curriculum that will stimulate some of my students to look at careers in science and math and then follow a path to RCC. It is a great economic benefit for them to come through RCC for their postsecondary education.”

Morris is a Principles of Technology and a Networking instructor at Richmond Senior High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and his master’s degree from NC A & T University. He is a National Board Certified Teacher.

A new curriculum is on RCC’s horizon. The Board approved the application process for implementing the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology curriculum. While it will be at the associate in applied science degree level, the college will also offer it as certificate and diploma programs.

“We have talked with local companies in this field and find technology has changed with the focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. The need for skilled technicians is there. In addition to the two-year degree, we are offering the certificate and diploma options to provide students greater flexibility. They can come for a short time and earn a certificate or diploma in a year or less and move into the workforce. When the time is right, they can return to the classroom for the second year of study and complete the associate in applied science degree,” said RCC President Dr. Dale McInnis.

The Board approved terminating two programs with low enrollment: Networking Technology and Computer Information Technology. Students currently enrolled will continue their studies uninterrupted. No new students will be accepted into the program beginning this fall.

Meleia Perakis of Ellerbe and Karen Hammond of Rockingham were presented certificates at the board meeting for being RCC’s nominees for the USA Today’s All-USA Academic Team. Perakis is an Office Administration major. Hammond is an Associate Degree Nursing major. Both women graduate in May.

A minimal price increase for DeWitt Performing Arts Series was approved. A $15 increase across the board for all seats is the first increase in 10 years.

Changes to the college’s naming policy were approved to include intangible properties. The Board may now name academic programs or departments to honor an individual, group of people, institution, or other organization which has had a significant impact on the school. Once named, the name is retained for 50 years or throughout the lifetime of the property unless it changes significantly.