HAMLET — Richmond Community College is partnering with Eury Consulting Services to provide short-term skills training for local educators, as well as educators statewide.
Dr. Doug Eury and Dr. Rick Watkins attended RichmondCC’s Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13, to explain the benefits of the microcredentialing program provided by Eury Consulting Services.
“Like many professions, there’s a tremendous shortage of teachers, and we are working to address those issues,” Watkins said. “Microcredentialing is short bursts of training to get teachers in schools, and school leaders ready to be able to perform at as high a level as they can.”
The microcredentialing program allows school districts to advance the careers of new teachers and new administrators more rapidly in order to better serve the students.
“We’re looking forward to working with Richmond Community College,” Eury said. “I think we’re going to have more impact on public education in North Carolina than anybody else … because it is so needed.”
Right before the board was introduced to this new partnership for microcredentialing, the Board of Trustees approved the Early Childhood Education Residency Certificate. Vice President for Instruction Kevin Parsons explained that the certificate is a newer version of lateral entry program, which provides someone who already has a bachelor’s degree with the education classes needed to teach in elementary education.
“This is basically step one of a two-step process to offer an educator preparation program for the state of North Carolina’s public schools,” Parsons said, which is the ultimate goal. “We’ll apply for this first and then apply for the educator preparation program.”
The board was also given an update on the Facility Master Plan from ADW Architects. The Facility Master Plan provides a broad look at future space needs and upgrades the College will need at both the Hamlet and Scotland County Campus. The architects provided concepts for additional art classrooms, the new Hendrick Center for Automotive Training, additional space for the welding and Electric Utility Substation & Relay Technology programs, a recreational field for the students and additional parking.
“You see a wide range of projects in size and scope. We wanted to capture as much as possible,” said Dr. Dale McInnis, president of RichmondCC. “There aren’t any firm costs associated with some of these projects at this point. This just gives you an idea of what our plan is to keep improving and growing.”
Executive Vice President/CFO Brent Barbee also provided the board with an update on the spending of state, county and special funds. He reported that the College is on track and on schedule for the 2022-2023 budget.
