Rowan-Cabarrus Wins National Online Learning Award
The college earns top honors for its excellence in supporting digital education for students and faculty.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Distance Learning
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The Instructional Technology Council presented Rowan-Cabarrus Community College with the 2026 Outstanding eLearning Support for Faculty or Students Award in March 2026. This national recognition highlights the institution for providing innovative support within online learning environments.
Why it matters
This award underscores the significance of robust support structures in expanding access to quality remote education. It recognizes how a dedicated institutional unit can successfully improve outcomes through peer-reviewed processes and specialized training for instructors.
During the 2025-26 academic year, 80% of curriculum students at the college enrolled in at least one online course. The department supports this scale by organizing nearly 100 professional development opportunities annually.
The players
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
A public institution serving North Carolina that is the first community college in the state to offer a Quality Matters-certified training course for faculty.
Instructional Technology Council
An organization that promotes the effective use of technology in higher education and grants annual awards for excellence in online learning support.
The details
The college operates a Department of eLearning and Faculty Development Services that provides instructor certification and instructional design guidance. They utilize a research-based, peer-review framework to ensure all online course designs meet high effectiveness standards.
Timeline
The Instructional Technology Council presented the award in March 2026.
During the 2025-26 academic year, 80% of students took at least one online course.
Culture Shift
The college aligns with Quality Matters certification standards, marking a departure from traditional independent course design toward standardized, peer-reviewed educational frameworks. This transition reflects a broader shift toward institutional accountability in digital curriculum quality.
Students in the region benefit from a more consistent and technically rigorous online learning experience that meets national standards. Faculty members can access over 100 professional development sessions annually to improve their digital instruction skills.
The takeaway
Institutions that prioritize faculty support through peer-reviewed training often see higher student engagement in digital formats. Students should look for colleges that utilize established certification frameworks to ensure their online coursework meets high quality standards.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Distance Learning across North Carolina.
More information
View the full range of resources at the Department of eLearning and Faculty Development Services.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Independent Tribune.
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