Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's online education program earned a national award for its support of digital learning, the college announced Monday, Oct. 26.
The college's Department of eLearning and Faculty Development Services received the 2026 Outstanding eLearning Support for Faculty or Students Award from the Instructional Technology Council (ITC), according to the Independent Tribune. The ITC is one of the nation's leading organizations focused on advancing digital learning.
The award comes as online coursework plays a central role at the college. Eighty percent of curriculum students took at least one online course during the 2025-26 academic year, according to the college.
The Independent Tribune article, which credited Rowan-Cabarrus Community College as its author, described the honor as the college "again" receiving national recognition for online education. The college's eLearning program also drew ITC attention in 2025, when student Kylie Baucom won the council's Outstanding eLearning Student Award, according to a college announcement in May 2025.
Baucom, a full-time student pursuing an associate in arts degree in business administration, maintained a 4.0 GPA while raising two young children and served as a Student Ambassador at the college. She had planned to graduate in May 2026.
Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus, said in connection with Baucom's 2025 award that the student's achievements "highlight the power of eLearning and the support systems that help students achieve their goals."
Rowan-Cabarrus offers more than 250 online courses along with fully online degree, diploma and certificate options, according to the college. The school also provides HyFlex courses, which let students choose between attending class in person or online from week to week.
