Sen. Berger, Rep. Pyrtle visit campus
May 29, 2025North Carolina legislators, Sen. President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and Rep. Reece Pyrtle, visited Rockingham Community College on Wednesday, May 28 as part of their ongoing support of Rockingham County and RCC. The pair spent much of their week off from Raleigh connecting with local leaders and entities.
The legislators are big proponents of community colleges – especially RCC, as Pyrtle is a lifelong resident of Rockingham County, and Berger is a long-time resident.
RCC is currently focusing on Construction Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, and Health Sciences. The College, Rockingham County School System, and Rockingham County Economic Development are partnering in an initiative known as LevelUp Rockingham, to provide a structured approach to connect students with the region’s growing demand for skilled workers in these careers. These three program areas are pathways in which students can enroll in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Cooperative Innovative High School that opens on campus this fall. The pathways will offer both high school and college courses that prepare the students for the workforce.
RCC understands the need and demand for healthcare workers. It has come a long way in providing exceptional training in the Health Sciences, first with the renovation of the Owens Health Sciences building and the creation of a simulated hospital, and then with the expansion of the Nursing program.
More recently, RCC has boosted Advanced Manufacturing training with the construction and opening of the Center of Workforce Development last fall and expansion of continuing education programs that lead to credentials.
RCC is now building its Construction Trades program, which includes Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, and more.
During Berger and Pyrtle’s visit, they met with President Dr. Sylvia Cox to discuss expanding access to career and technical education programs, and strengthening partnerships with local industries to align academic programs with workforce needs.
Afterward, the legislators toured campus with Dr. Cox, Vice President for Administrative Services Steve Woodruff, Vice President for Academic Affairs Sheila Regan, Associate Vice President for Facilities & External Affairs Dr. Tony Gunn, and Dean of Applied & Industrial Technologies David Dillard.
At the Center for Workforce Development, Dr. Cox, Dillard, and Berger had a long conversation about industry-recognized micro-credentials that can be earned by students in the Mechatronics continuing education and curriculum programs. Dillard showed off some of the lab equipment on which students train, and discussed how this equipment supports the needs of local employers.
The group then visited the Industrial Technologies I building, which is being revamped after the Machining, Mechatronics, Electrical Systems, and Welding programs relocated elsewhere on campus. The plan for the facility is to house Construction Trades, a growing industry in Rockingham County. Interest in the field is increasing among both college and high school students.
The legislators and college administrators also touched on future expansion of law enforcement and other public safety training programs. Both Sen. Berger and Rep. Pyrtle understand the role RCC plays in supporting building programs for Public Safety through providing training for the current workforce, as well as creating a pipeline of first responders and law enforcement officers.
~Story and photos by RCC Director of Public Information Gerri Hunt.
