The need for a technical education center was recognized in 1960, when Salisbury-Rowan community leaders, working through the chamber of commerce, conducted a survey of manpower requirements in the area. Results of the survey provided the basis for their request that the State Board of Education establish an industrial education center in Rowan County. The people of Rowan County gave strong support to the idea by approving a $500,000 bond issue to purchase land and to finance construction of the first building. When the center first opened its doors in 1963, it offered seven pre-employment education programs and a variety of short courses for adults.

In 1964, the school was designated Rowan Technical Institute under the provisions of the Community College-Technical Institute Act. This made it possible to expand the school’s curricula.

In 1979, the General Assembly passed a bill which recognized the synonymous nature of the terms “institute” and “college.” After appropriate action by the Board of Trustees and the Rowan County Commissioners, the North Carolina State Board of Education officially approved the name of Rowan Technical College.

In 1988, the trustees of the college voted to change the name of the institution to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to more accurately reflect the comprehensive nature of its programs and the service area. The college has experienced considerable growth since 1963, and now enrolls an average of 20,000 citizens annually.

Today, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College prepares individuals for careers in approximately 40 programs of study in business, health and public services, and industrial and engineering technologies. The college also offers the Associate in Arts, Associate in Fine Arts and Associate in Science degree programs for those students who intend to transfer to a four-year college or university.

In June 2010, RCCC opened the first LEED building at the college on the North Campus. In November 2010 Rowan County citizens approved a $12 million bond referendum for capital improvement projects on the North Campus as a commitment to keep the college facilities updated to provide the highest quality and relevant instruction and training for our communities.