1950
Born in Louisville, KY, to parents Wallace and Martha.
1971
Earns a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and affairs from the University of Louisville.
1975
Oversees a grant-funded program for the Florida Community College of Jacksonville (FSCJ) until 1986.
1978
Is director of continuing education for the open campus of FSCJ until 1986.
1980
Is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.
1983
Hosts the TV show “Politics Is Your Business” for the League of Women Voters until 2008.
1986
Earns a master’s degree in human resource management from Pepperdine University.
1986
Is president of the open campus at FSCJ until 2008.
1987
Is a member of the Harvard Management of Lifelong Learning Advisory Board until 1989.
1995
Chairs the Jackson Transportation Authority Board until 1996.
1995
Earns the Administrator of the Year Award from the Florida Association of Community Colleges.
2000
Is a member of the National Association for Community Organizations.
2000
Is board chair of the National Association for Community Leadership.
2003
Earns EdD in educational leadership from Columbia University; Earns “Florida’s Best” Award from Florida Department of Education.
2006
Is a board member of the Instructional Technology Council until 2013.
2008
Is president of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College through today; Joins the North Carolina Community College Presidents’ Association.
2017
Chairs the David H. Murdoch Research Institute Board until 2025.
2019
Is honored as President of the Year by the Board of the North Carolina Community College System.
2021
Serves as the namesake of the Dr. Carol S. Spalding Advanced Technology Center at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
2025
Is a finalist for the Exemplary CEO/Board Relationship Award from the American Association of Community Colleges.