Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Marketing students at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College applied knowledge gained in the classroom in a real-world setting and helped a local merchant at the same time.

Students in instructor Nancy Whittaker’s visual merchandising class designed and installed a custom store window display for Scott’s Collectibles in the Cloverleaf Plaza shopping center. The students’ goal was to design a window that captured the attention of potential customers while communicating the store’s marketing message.

“The students had fun applying what they learned in the classroom to an actual retail setting. In addition, they had the opportunity to work as a team and meet the expectations of their clients, owner Scott Haas and his sister Christy Haas,” said Whittaker.

Scott’s Collectibles carries items including sports cards and memorabilia, NASCAR diecast, board games, card games, comic character figures, collecting supplies, display cases and NFL, NCAA, NBA, NHL and MLB licensed merchandise.

“Real world experience like this is a vitally important part of the student experience. Employers want employees with applicable experience and education,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. “Students who take advantage of internships, co-ops, and hands-on projects like this get the most out of their education.”

The marketing students developed a family game time theme for the window which primarily features sports team checker sets, panoramic stadium puzzles and OYO mini-figures. They chose props to suggest a family room setting including a small rocking chair, multi-colored rug, family picture and family game time chalkboard sign. They decorated a tall fixture, which displayed the merchandise and the props in the unconventional window.

“I really enjoyed being able to put the window together for Scott’s Collectibles and the learning experience I took from it is something I will never forget,” said Naomi Ford, a student in the class.

The college’s marketing classes, covering everything from advertising approaches to marketing methods to pricing strategies, impart real-world knowledge and skills students will actually use on the job.

“We were recently lucky enough to have Nancy Whittaker’s marketing class come visit us and create one of our display windows. We are pleased that we could help students obtain some real world experience and also get an amazing display window out of it, too. Thanks to the students, Mrs. Whittaker and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College,” said Scott Haas.