HAMLET – Richmond Community College’s Board of Trustees was provided final numbers for summer enrollment at its meeting last week, which showed a record number of 995 students taking advantage of summer classes at RichmondCC.

President Dale McInnis attributed this growth to increased college-wide marketing efforts, more high school students taking dual enrollment classes in the summer to meet qualifications for the RichmondCC Guarantee, more summer course offerings and Summer Pell helping to offset the cost of tuition.

Director of Career & Transfer Center Patsy Stanley also reported on several job fairs held in collaboration with local industries and businesses over the summer.

In June, Direct Pack held a job fair with 271 people coming out to the event to apply for positions at the customized food packaging company in Rockingham. Several job positions were filled and more applications are being reviewed.

Like Direct Pack, RSI, is new to the area and working with the college to fill positions across its operations. The company’s job fair on July 14 drew 189 people with 36 people hired and three new positions approved and three possible internships.

On July 18, Therafirm held a job fair to fill positions in various departments that need highly skilled individuals. The job fair drew a modest 77 attendees.

ITG-Burlington held a job fair on July 25 that drew 156 people applying for positions.

“These job fairs were collaborative partnerships between the College and the industries, with everyone working toward a common goal,” Stanley said, also noting that NCWorks Richmond County and Richmond County Economic Development assisted in promoting the job fairs.

In other business …

— Director of Adult Education John Kester announced to the board a two-year initiative to significantly improve the literacy rates in Richmond and Scotland counties. Kester said the college would work with core partners such as NCWorks, local Literacy Councils, Department of Social Services and the schools to help in identifying the need, delivering the message and providing access to resources.

— Board members were provided updates on the renovations for main campus, the simulation hospital, the downtown Rockingham project and the Morgan Center in Laurinburg.