Dr. Carol S. Spalding has found much success as president of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College since 2008, setting ambitious goals and executing strategic plans that have propelled the aforementioned institution forward. Among her most notable achievements is the successful passage of four bond issues, which have provided critical resources for growth and innovation across four campuses.
Under Dr. Spalding’s leadership, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College became a pilot site for a statewide enterprise resource planning system, demonstrating a commitment to technological advancement and operational excellence. To celebrate her impact, the Dr. Carol S. Spalding Advanced Technology Center was named in her honor in 2021.
Prior to her tenure at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Dr. Spalding excelled as the founding president of the Open Campus at Florida Community College at Jacksonville, from 1986 to 2008. She was instrumental in expanding access to education through pioneering online development and workforce programs tailored to adult learners, with a particular focus on associate degree completion for U.S. Navy personnel. Dr. Spalding previously worked for Florida Community College as a supervisor for grant-funded programs from 1981 to 1986, the director of continuing education for the Open Campus from 1978 to 1986, and both an instructor and coordinator of grant-funded programs from 1975 to 1978.
Throughout her career, Dr. Spalding has been a longstanding member of the Rotary Club, National Association for Community Organizations, Leadership Jacksonville and The League of Women Voters. She previously served as a board member for the Instructional Technology Council, a member of the board of directors for the American Association of Community Colleges, and the chair of the David H. Murdoch Research Institute Board. From 1983 to 2008, Dr. Spalding had thrived as the host of “Politics Is Your Business,” a television program produced by The League of Women Voters.
To support her professional ambitions, Dr. Spalding earned a Bachelor of Arts in international relations at the University of Louisville in 1971, a master’s degree in human resource management from Pepperdine University in 1986, and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Columbia University in 2003. Her educational journey was shaped by family support, particularly from her sister, and mentors such as Hazel Henderson, whose global perspective on economics and environmentalism influenced her holistic approach to leadership.
During her tenure at Florida State College at Jacksonville, Dr. Spalding led Mayor Ed Austin’s citywide visioning project with Leadership Jacksonville in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, a two-year initiative involving more than one thousand participants that helped bring major events such as the Super Bowl to Jacksonville. Notably persistent in pursuing institutional goals, she recently secured $9 million for a truck driving program that will expand job training opportunities.
Dr. Spalding has been recognized through numerous accolades, including the Outstanding College/Corporation Partnership Award by AACC, the Partner of the Year Award from the North Carolina Community College State Board, the “Florida’s Best” Award for Outstanding Business and Education Partnerships by Florida Department of Education, and the Administrator of the Year Award by Florida Association of Community Colleges, to name a few. She was additionally honored as the President of the Year by the North Carolina Community College System and a Top Woman in Business by Charlotte Business Journal.
Dr. Spalding is committed to fostering environments where others can thrive professionally and personally, an ethos reflected in her mentorship track record. She encourages those entering higher education administration to remain open-minded about opportunities while recognizing when perseverance should yield to new directions.