To commence the first day of classes, Dr. Kendricks Hooker, provost of Cabarrus College, delivered a welcoming address, applauding the students for their commitment to their healthcare career aspirations. “We hope this kickoff event helps them feel at home and inspires them to chase their dreams in health care. We are proud of our students and their accomplishments, and we eagerly anticipate supporting them throughout their academic journey,” Hooker said.
One of the highlights of the kickoff event was the clubs and organization fair, where students had the opportunity to learn about the various extracurricular activities and student groups available at Cabarrus College. These clubs and organizations offer students a chance to develop their leadership skills, network with peers and professionals, engage in community service, and have fun while enhancing their academic experience. The event also featured music, giveaways, and a barbecue lunch.
The event highlighted the college’s continuous growth. Cabarrus College now has 18 programs in 11 health science disciplines ranging from associates, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Cabarrus College is in the process of expanding, and this fall most of its allied health and online programs now occupy the Plaza Building, a modern and spacious facility on the Atrium Health Cabarrus campus.
Christine Corsello, dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, expressed her enthusiasm for the move to the Plaza Building. “This is a great opportunity for our college to grow and innovate in the field of health care. The Plaza Building will provide us with more space, resources, and possibilities to deliver high-quality education and training to our students. We are excited to start this new chapter in our college’s history and to continue our mission of transforming health care through education,” Corsello said.
This move allows the college to offer more opportunities for the students, faculty, and staff and enhance partnerships with the community and health care industry. One of the benefits of the Plaza Building is its proximity to the hospital, which will facilitate clinical rotations and collaborations for students and faculty.
Cabarrus College ended their first week by hosting an alumni night at Atrium Health Ballpark during a Kannapolis Cannon Ballers baseball game. The game was sponsored by Cabarrus College and included fun activities such as the first pitch by Christine Corsello, trivia questions about the college, and giveaways. Nearly 100 alumni, current students, faculty, and staff attended.
Alumni night was also a success for the college’s Alumni Relations and Development department, which aims to foster lifelong connections between alumni and the college. Matthew Wade, the Alumni Relations and Development manager, said that the event was a great way to celebrate the college’s achievements and to reconnect with former students. “We are very proud of our alumni and their contributions to the health care field. We wanted to show our appreciation and recognition for their hard work and dedication, and to have some fun with them. It was wonderful to see so many alumni come to the game and enjoy themselves. We hope to continue this tradition and to host more events like this in the future,” Wade said.