RCC President Dr. Mark Kinlaw to retire in March

Kinlaw, who has served as the College’s fifth president since January 2015, announced his plans on Sept. 17 to the RCC Board of Trustees. The following day, he held an employee meeting in the RCC auditorium to share the news.

"Forty years of service to the State of North Carolina and 10 years as president of Rockingham Community College has a nice ring to it. I believe the time is right for me to retire,” he said.

Kinlaw earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Wake Forest University, a Master of Arts degree in Administration and Supervision from UNC-Pembroke, and a Doctorate in Adult and Community College Education from NC State University.

He came to RCC from Robeson Community College in Lumberton, where he had served as vice president for Instruction and Support Services from 2001-2015, chair of the Early Childhood/Social Science Department from 1997-2001, director of Title III Technology Grant from 1994-1997, and director of Planning and Research from 1988-1994. In addition, he taught college-level education and history courses from 1996-2001.

While at Robeson, Kinlaw directed accreditation reaffirmations in 2000 and 2010, through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) – the same agency that granted RCC its decennial accreditation reaffirmation his June.

“It has been one of my greatest honors in life to serve as president of this great college, one that’s had such an amazing impact on this community,” he continued. “I’m proud to have been part of the legacy of Rockingham Community College.”

Kinlaw reflected on how far the college has come in the last decade.

“We have accomplished a lot because of a supportive board, a supportive foundation, a supportive community, and an excellent faculty and staff. It takes a team and I have been fortunate to be part of a great team at RCC,” he said.

Kinlaw’s work involved the improvement of RCC’s facilities and grounds, with a goal to improve the teaching and learning environment for students, faculty and staff.

“I think we made tremendous strides in doing that, with renovations to many of our buildings, and with the construction of the new Center for Workforce Development. These improvements dramatically improved the instruction and training we can provide our students,” he said. “We improved the tools our faculty and staff now have to teach and support our students, and for that, we can all smile.”

Kinlaw said he is proud of the improvements in the appearance of campus.

“For me, it’s important how a college looks. I want our students and our faculty and staff to be proud of where they go to school and where they work,” he said.

Kinlaw said he’s been blessed to work with “some of the very best people I’ve ever known” at the two community colleges where he has been employed.

“I can’t tell you how much this college has meant to me. It’s been a really special place, and has been a good fit for me,” he said. “We have a really good Board of Trustees here, which makes life a lot better. I’ve really enjoyed working with them.”

He thanked the trustees for their leadership, support, and for believing in him. He said he wanted to submit his notice more than five months ahead of his retirement to give them enough time to find a replacement without the need for an interim president.

Kinlaw said he still wants to work about 20-25 hours per week when he retires.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this. I hope to spend more time with family and friends because when it comes down to it, that’s what’s important,” Kinlaw said.

“It’s been a wonderful career, and I will always smile when I look back at my time here,” he said. “I wish this college the very best and I look forward to watching it continue to do great things.”

Randy Judkins, chair of the RCC Board of Trustees, thanked Kinlaw.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Kinlaw for his outstanding leadership and dedication to RCC. He has led us in the past 10 years and the college has thrived under his leadership. As he embarks on this next chapter, we wish him continued success,” she said.

“His legacy at RCC will continue to inspire us as we move forward to find our next president of the college,” Judkins continued.