Carol S. Spalding, EdD, has been endorsed by Marquis Who’s Who as a leader in higher education administration

KANNAPOLIS, NC, June 18, 2025 — Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Carol S. Spalding, EdD, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Dr. Spalding celebrates many years’ experience in her professional network and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Spalding’s distinguished career and consistent record of leadership and innovation have earned her numerous accolades and national recognition. Her selected honors include the Exemplary CEO/Board Relationship Finalist Award and the Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership Finalist Award from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in 2025 and both the 2019 Partner of the Year Award and the 2019 President of the Year Award from the North Carolina Community College State Board. In 2003 and 2004, the Florida Department of Education recognized Dr. Spalding with the Florida’s Best Award for Outstanding Business and Education Partnerships. Earlier in her career, Dr. Spalding received the 1995 Administrator of the Year Award from the Florida Association of Community Colleges

Dr. Spalding has dedicated her professional life to advancing the mission of community colleges as engines for workforce and personal development. Since 2008, she has served as president of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (Rowan-Cabarrus) in North Carolina, where her leadership has positioned the institution for sustained growth and innovation. She successfully led three public bond referendums and championed initiatives that enhanced student success and program excellence. In 2025, AACC recognized Rowan-Cabarrus as a finalist for both the Excellence in CEO/Board Relationship Award and the Outstanding College/Corporation Partnership Finalist Award.

Before her tenure in North Carolina, Dr. Spalding was the founding president of the Open Campus at Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ) from 1986 to 2008. She began her career teaching GED classes at NAS Jax. Inspired by her own experience as a U.S. Navy spouse, she “bloomed where she was planted.” With a focus on student success, she advanced through positions as grant coordinator, director, dean of continuing education and provost. Under her leadership, the Open Campus evolved into FCCJ’s largest and most dynamic campus. Enrolling over 45,000 students annually with a focus on military and adult learners, she pioneered online and distance education degree programs.

Dr. Spalding’s academic credentials are impressive. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and a secondary education teaching certificate from the University of Louisville in 1971, a master’s degree in human resource management from Pepperdine University in 1986 and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Columbia University in 2003. Her professional development has included extensive training in ethical leadership, facilitation and community trusteeship, which guide her values-driven approach to institutional leadership.

In addition to her work in education, Dr. Spalding has maintained an active presence in civic and professional organizations, including the American Association of Community Colleges, where she served two terms on the board. She has held key leadership roles, including chair of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Harvard Management of Lifelong Learning Advisory Board member and national board member of the Center for Community College Student Engagement. Additionally, she maintains membership in the Rowan Economic Development Commission, the North Carolina Community College Foundation and Rotary International.

Dr. Spalding is a graduate of local, state and national leadership programs and served as chair of the National Association for Community Leadership Organizations in 2000. Her role with Leadership Jacksonville was instrumental in coordinating the Jacksonville visioning project that engaged over 1,000 volunteers in partnership with the local chamber of commerce.

Throughout her career, Dr. Spalding has demonstrated a consistent record of team-based excellence. In both Florida and North Carolina, she and her teams received Partner of the Year honors for collaborative public-private initiatives: the Florida Department of Education’s 2003–2004 “Florida’s Best” Award for the Jacksonville visioning project, and the North Carolina Community College System’s 2019 Partner of the Year Award for the successful funding and completion of the Dr. Carol S. Spalding  Advanced Technology Building at the North Carolina Research Campus, in partnership with the county, city, a bond issue and a private philanthropist.

A dedicated mentor, Dr. Spalding has championed the development of future leaders. Under her guidance, two vice presidents at Rowan-Cabarrus have gone on to become presidents of sister colleges. In 2025, she co-chaired the statewide Aspiring Community College Presidents Program. Partnering with Northern Virginia Community College and the Instructional Technology Council, she executed a president’s summit on the future of online education and AI.

Looking ahead, Dr. Spalding remains committed to the future of community colleges and to cultivating opportunities for others within the field. Her advice to aspiring professionals is to stay open to possibilities, persevere through challenges and be willing to change course in pursuit of purpose and fulfillment.