NRCC History Book

94 pounds, Freeman qualified for the national competition by successfully completing nine out of ten obstacles in Atlanta, placing him in the top 12 contestants in that region. At the finals in Las Vegas, Freeman successfully completed two obstacles—the archer alley and spin your wheels. Collaborating with machining and welding students, engineering design students designed and manufactured several 12-inch dragsters or rocket cars during the 2018-19 academic year. Engineering design students used 3D printer technology to produce the body of the car. The wheels were made by machine technology students using the lab’s water jet, and the steel blast plates to which a black powder powered jet pack was attached were made by welding students. Trying to break the Guinness Book’s official world speed record of 204 miles per hour for rocket powered cars, the students launched the cars at Motor Mile Speedway’s dragstrip in Fairlawn. Two rocket cars were recorded at 280 miles per hour in one direction. To break the world record, the track must be “flipped.” In other words, cars must break the 204 miles per hour going in the opposite direction as well, but none of the cars were able to make the return run. Also in the summer of 2019, six police science students completed the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy. The 10-week academy covered divisions and functions of the sheriff’s department including crime scene investigation, evidence, patrol, shooting range, corrections, K9, SWAT, civil process, court security, and enforcement of criminal and traffic laws. Participating students earned two college credits and gained real-world experiences in police science.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC*) The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) evaluates and reaccredits the college every 10 years. In 2013 the college began preparing for the 2017 reaccreditation. The compliance certification was submitted before the SACSCOC on-site review team arrived on campus on October 31, 2017, to complete its review and to evaluate the college’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The QEP, called “Navigate the River,” focused on students’ first semester experience, with the goal to improve student persistence, retention, and graduation rates through goal setting/tracking and community building. Prior to their visit, on-site review team members visited the Christiansburg site and high schools in three different service region localities. At the conclusion of the review process in 2018, the college was reaffirmed for 10 more years of accreditation. *In 2015, SACS became SACSCOC when “Commission on Colleges” was added to the title. Special Guests on Campus On March 18, 2010, the Honorable David Nutter, House of Delegates from the 7 th district, attended the college board meeting held at the Christiansburg site. Also, he spoke at the 2013 graduation. In the spring of 2013, Dr. Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Chancellor Glenn DuBois, state board members, and VCCS staff, visited NRCC to learn about the proposed Advanced Manufacturing Credentialing Center

Chapter 2