SALISBURY, N.C. – Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is celebrating a national milestone, earning its first award from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) with the 2026 Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership Award for the College’s collaboration with Okuma America Corporation. The award recognizes partnerships that demonstrate exceptional alignment between education and industry while delivering meaningful impact for students, employers and communities.
Rowan-Cabarrus was recognized as the winner at the Awards of Excellence Gala during the AACC Annual Conference, held in April in Seattle, Washington. At the center of this recognition is the Okuma Machine Tool Academy at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, a global training facility located at the College’s Dr. Carol Spalding Advanced Technology Center in Kannapolis and the only Okuma training center of its kind in the world. Established in 2021 after Okuma America selected Rowan-Cabarrus as its exclusive training provider for the Western Hemisphere, the Academy represents the College’s first partnership with a global company and a significant milestone in its workforce development efforts.
“Being recognized at the national level affirms the direction we are taking as a college,” said Rowan-Cabarrus President Dr. Carol S. Spalding. “What makes this partnership especially meaningful is how it has grown from a single opportunity into something with lasting impact. It continues to open doors for our students while expanding access to advanced training in meaningful ways.”
The Academy reflects a highly collaborative approach to workforce training, with Rowan-Cabarrus faculty and Okuma engineers working together to design and continuously refine curriculum aligned with current industry standards. As Okuma’s official training center for the Western Hemisphere, the program serves a global network of employees, customers and distributors while positioning Rowan-Cabarrus as a destination for advanced manufacturing education.
“Having the Okuma advanced machines, controls and simulation on site at the Advanced Technology Center with a flexible lab space offering various hands-on learning opportunities has not only been a show-stopper visually, but a game changer when it comes to upskilling new members to unfamiliar curriculum or aligning maintenance strategies for entire teams,” said Okuma Training Program Manager Natalie Rogers.
Since its launch, the Academy has provided advanced, hands-on training to hundreds of students and industry professionals, helping build a highly skilled manufacturing workforce. The program also supports regional workforce and economic development by aligning training with the evolving needs of industry.
“This recognition as the training provider for a global leader in manufacturing speaks to the strength and credibility of our workforce programs,” said Rowan-Cabarrus Vice President of Workforce and Technology Dr. Zack Hubbard. “It reinforces the College’s role as a trusted workforce partner capable of delivering specialized, industry-driven training at the highest level.”
In addition to receiving the national partnership award, Rowan-Cabarrus was also named a top-three finalist for the Exemplary CEO-Board Relationship Award for a second consecutive year, recognizing strong leadership and a shared commitment to the College’s mission and strategic direction.
This national recognition demonstrates Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s leadership in workforce innovation and highlights the impact of partnerships that connect students with real-world career pathways and industry demand. To learn more about the Okuma Machine Tool Academy at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and explore training opportunities, visit www.rccc.edu/okuma.