“Navigation Station” is the new central location for visitors, future students and current students

SALISBURY, N.C. — In 2010, the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College began conceptualizing a one-stop space for its North Campus which would support all of the primary “Getting Started” activities and information services for the entire campus.

The college opened the Navigation Station earlier this year following two years of designing and planning and six months of renovations, technology enhancements, staff training, and multiple moves.

 We’ve named it the Navigation Station because it’s the central location where visitors, future students and current students can get what they need to navigate their way forward,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus.

 The new space contains computers for students and future students to use in completing college applications,  financial aid and scholarship applications, class registrations (continuing education or curriculum), tuition payments and fees online, college email access, and testing appointments.

 The Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Navigation Station is a welcome point where an individual can receive information, easily access student services and complete any necessary paperwork related to enrollment. The area consists of two components: a walk-up front desk and a call center. Whether a person walks in or call in for services,  customer service representatives provide information and support including step-by-step assistance with online applications and forms. If the Navigation Station staff member is unable to provide assistance, the person is directed to the appropriate department within the college to receive the help required.

 The call center component launched in July 2012 with staff members trained to answer all types of questions related to Rowan-Cabarrus. The in-person Navigation Station includes a kiosk check-in system which helps staff members deliver services in a systematic and timely fashion, provides information to the client about the wait time and documents the number of people served. Ultimately this data will help the college serve students more efficiently and effectively.

 “Whether you need academic or career advising, help with financial aid, admissions support, or personal counseling, you can get what you need at the new Navigation Station,” said Gaye McConnell, vice president of student services and the student experience.

 Future enhancements include expansion of testing center services to meet community needs for certification in business and industry and computer-based testing for GED completion.  A sister South Campus Navigation Station is operational, but is currently under construction to provide comparable physical space and technology. The South Campus Navigation Station should open in fall 2014.

 For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, please visit www.rccc.edu.

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Opening its doors in 1963, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) is one of 58 colleges in the state-supported North Carolina Community College System. RCCC is a comprehensive, community-focused institution of higher learning, serving the residents of Rowan and Cabarrus counties at multiple campus locations and through on-line programs. RCCC offers fully-accredited associate degree programs in more than 40 areas of study, including arts and sciences, business, information technology, health and public services, engineering technologies, and biotechnology. RCCC provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving a yearly overall enrollment of more than 20,000 students. In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus being developed in Kannapolis.