VAN GRAN
V A N C E - G R A N V I L L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E’ S M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R
September 2013
Vol. 26, No. 2
Page 2
Mark Your
Calendar for the
Business Summit
Page 4
12-Week Mini-Term
Starting Soon
Page 5
VGCC Receives
Plus 50 Grant
Page 6
Show Your Pride at
VGCC Women’s
Volleyball Games
Page 7
Need Work
Experience to
Get a Job?
Vance-Granville Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866
Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Vance-Granville Community College. Vance-Granville Community College is an equal opportunity,
affirmative action institution. The college serves all students regardless of race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, or disabling conditions. Vance-Granville Community College is a Tobacco-Free College.
Recent Vance-Granville
Community College stu-dents
Allison Forsythe of
Oxford, Tiffany Gill of Ra-leigh
and Haleigh Meffert
of Louisburg have all been
awarded Golden LEAF
Foundation Scholarships as
they continue their educa-tion
at the four-year level.
They are among 215 stu-dents
from across the state
who were selected to receive
Golden LEAF scholarships
to attend participating in-state
colleges or universities
this year. Of those recipients,
30 were community college
students transferring to a
four-year institution. Com-munity
college transfer stu-dents
are eligible for $3,000
a year for up to three years.
The Vance-Granville Community Col-lege
Board of Trustees held its regular bi-monthly
meeting on July 15 at Main Campus.
North Carolina Ninth District Court
Judge Henry Banks swore in real estate bro-ker
Deborah F. Brown of Henderson for a
second four-year term on the Board. Brown is
also a member of the Vance County Board of
Commissioners, and was appointed by that
same board. Brown first joined the Board of
Trustees in 2009 and will serve though 2017.
Later in the evening, the Board voted to ap-prove
a recommendation from the nominat-ing
committee to re-elect the Board’s current
officers to serve again during the 2013-2014
year. Deborah F. Brown will serve once again
as the chair of the Board, former state legisla-tor
Stan Fox of Oxford as the vice-chairman
Three Transferring VGCC Students
Receive Golden LEAF Scholarships
Brown Takes Oath, College Reaffirmed by SACS
BROWN SWORN IN: District Court Judge
Henry Banks, left, swore in real estate broker
Deborah F. Brown of Henderson for a second
four-year term on the Board of Trustees.
ALLISON FORSYTHE TIFFANY GILL
HALEIGH MEFFERT
According to foundation
officials, VGCC was one of
only three colleges in the
state to have three trans-fer
student recipients each,
the most of any community
college.
Forsythe, a Kerr-Vance
Academy graduate, finished
her College Transfer courses
See LEAF, page 4
See BROWN, page 5
Page 2 News from August
VGCC honored 30 students who have completed its one-year Practical Nursing pro­gram during a pinning ceremony on Aug. 1 in the Civic Center. Upon receiving diplomas, graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national exam for licensed practical nurses (NCLEX-PN). In her welcoming remarks, college president Dr. Stelfanie Williams congratu­lated the graduating students and applauded the commitment they had demonstrated both to their studies and to their profession. The president also expressed her gratitude to the faculty and staff of the Nursing department for their dedication to student success. Class of 2013 president Yevette Rothgery added her own words of thanks to the Nursing instructors, and to students’ family members and friends for their support. Reflecting on the experience of the class over the past year, Rothgery said, “Little by little, we gained knowledge, became a family, and became nurses.” VGCC Nursing department chair Erica Jastrow presented academic awards and honors to members of the class. Murray was recognized for having the highest grade point average in the class. Brame and Ombajo were also honored for hav­ing an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher. The ceremonies concluded with the graduates receiving their distinctive pins, roses and candles.
VGCC Practical Nursing Graduates Receive Pins
PN GRADUATES: Graduates honored at the VGCC Practical Nursing pinning ceremony included, first row, from left: Michelle Andrews, Chamara Enis, Jordan West, Catherine Lim­brouris, Adrienne Wilson, Ashley Green, and Brittany Lynn McFarland; second row, from left: Crystal Tippett, Yevette Rothgery, Lona Crouse, April Williams, Loftin Foster, Sherry Rucker, and Andrea Rafales Hawkes; third row, from left: Vishonda Clark, Ashton Brummitt, Sarah Brame, Kimberly Garland, Laura Murray, Nichole Mills, and Roselyne Muhimpundu; fourth row, from left: Nyamweya Omundi, Ashley Turner, Morgan Yount, Marta Saldana, Rosemary Ombajo, and Nicole Perry; not pictured: Emily Litzenberger and Shermika James.
The VGCC Small Business Center, in part­nership with the Gran­ville County Chamber of Commerce, the Hender­son-Vance Chamber of Commerce, the Cham­ber of Commerce of Warren County and the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, is planning to hold the second annual “Busi­ness Summit” on Tues­day, October 22, from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the VGCC Civic Center.
With the theme, “Knowing What’s Vital to Your Business Today,” the event will include discussions on health-care, branding, mar­keting and leadership. The Business Summit features not only guest speakers and informa­tive presentations, but also opportunities for area businesses and organizations that co-sponsor the event to tell attendees about their products and services in an “expo” setting.
For more informa­tion, call VGCC Small Business Center direc­tor Tanya Weary at (252) 738-3240 or e-mail her at wearyt@vgcc.edu.
Mark Your Calendar for the Business SummitNews from August Page 3
VGCC held a pinning ceremony for its 2013 Medical Assisting program gradu­ates on Aug. 1 at the college’s Franklin Coun­ty Campus in Louisburg, where the program is conducted. As VGCC’s program is nation­ally accredited, graduates are now eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ (AAMA) certification examina­tion to become Certified Medical Assistants. Program head/instructor Donna Gardner served as the mistress of ceremonies. Frank­lin County Campus Dean Bobbie Jo May made welcoming remarks, congratulating the students and thanking their supportive families and friends who had gathered to cel­ebrate the graduates’ success. She also shared some of the glowing comments made about members of the class by area employers who supervised the students during their clinical externships. Mary Somerville, the executive director and co-founder of the Warren Coun­ty Free Clinic, served as the guest speaker. Her clinic in Warrenton was among those externship sites where two students received real-world experience this year. VGCC Presi­dent Dr. Stelfanie Williams rounded out the ceremony with concluding remarks. She con­VGCC
Recognizes Medical
Assisting Students at Pinning
MEDICAL ASSISTING GRADUATES: Seated, from left: graduating Medi­cal Assisting students Judy McIntosh, Meagan Allen, Rachel Edwards, Brandi Hormell, Jennifer Sykora, Lauren Piper, Christy Strickland and Deb­orah Jo Vera; Standing, from left: program head Donna Gardner, Lindsey Hinkle, Tiffany Crudup, Kathryn Boda, Ashley Hormell, Tabatha Dickerson, Sarah Ruehl, JoAn Marshall and Maryfrances Johnson, and instructor Pa­trice Allen.
Several VGCC students recently completed special training for af­terschool program administrators and staff members. For the first time, VGCC School-Age Education program head Jacquelin Heath incorporated the “Upping Your Afterschool Game” course content into a curriculum course, School-Age Program Administration (EDU 263), this summer. This allowed curriculum students to receive the latest, most up-to-date information to make them better prepared as professionals once they graduate. These students were then eli­gible to receive a certificate in addition to completing their regular coursework. The certificate acknowledged their completion of the “School-Age Professional Core Competencies Training” worth one continuing education unit (CEU). The course was developed by the N.C. Center for Afterschool Programs and the N.C. Afterschool Professional Development Work Group, which includes the N.C. Community College System. Subjects covered during the course include hiring and training staff to work with children. Students who completed the training included, seated (from left), Megan Sullivan, Zelma Bhuya, and Arrieanne Power; and standing in back (from left), Ashley Woods, William B. Peace, Imani Guy, and Aqueria T. Har­grove. Professionals who are already working in the field and who are interested in completing this course should contact Jacquelin Heath at (252) 738-3298.
gratulated students on working hard to achieve success. The president en­couraged all graduates to maintain high standards as professionals and to become lifelong learners.
Education Students Complete Afterschool TrainingPage 4 News from August
VGCC honored nine men and six women who completed the college’s year-long Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic program on July 30. Vivian Loyd, a Registered Nurse and Paramedic Level I instructor, was the instructor for the class. According to Randy Owen, Coordinator/Instructor of Fire/Rescue Programs and interim Coordinator/Instruc­tor of EMS Programs at VGCC, the group of graduates was the first to take classes over the past 12 months on a new daytime “flip-flop” schedule, which he deemed a success. “This schedule was geared toward people who are already employed in the field, some­times working 24-hour shifts,” Owen said. “The result was that this class had high levels of retention and completion, and we are proud to salute these hard-working graduates.” EMT-P instruction includes 596 hours of didactic (classroom) training and 500 hours of clinical education, or field internship. Each student also had to complete an 80-hour Anatomy and Physiology course.
VGCC Recognizes 15 Graduates of EMT-Paramedic Training
EMT-PARAMEDICS GRADUATE: From left, seated: Eric Brogden, Ashley Harris, Jessica Blackwell, Jodie Edwards, Allison Branch, Toni Ellis and Jeb Bailey; from left, standing: Co­ordinator/Instructor of Fire/Rescue Programs Randy Owen, Doyle Carpunky, Brandon Jo­ostema, Matt Harrison, Hunter Crowder, Nathaniel Hinds, Crystal Long, Brandan Perkinson, Tyler Selak and instructor Vivian Loyd.
at VGCC in May and got an early start by enrolling in sum­mer classes at East Carolina University. In addition to the Golden LEAF scholarship, she recently received a $1,000 scholarship from Chick-fil-A of Henderson. At ECU, For­sythe is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Childhood and Family Relations, and is interested in pursuing a career in counseling. Gill is originally from Kittrell and graduated from Southern Vance High School. She first enrolled in the VGCC Pharmacy Technology program and upon gradua­tion, continued her education in the College Transfer pro­gram, earning Dean’s List honors. Later this month, she will start classes at William Peace University, where she intends to complete a bachelor’s in Biology. Meffert, another Kerr-Vance Academy graduate, completed the Associate in Arts degree at VGCC this summer and is transferring this month
LEAF, from page 1
to N.C. State University, where she will major in Psychol­ogy with a minor in Cognitive Science. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she plans to study speech pathology. At VGCC, Meffert made the Dean’s List, received an endowed scholarship from the college, and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
All three scholarship recipients took classes online and at VGCC’s Main Campus, while Meffert also attended class­es at the Franklin County Campus. “To have three of our students selected to receive these prestigious scholarships -- representing 10 percent of the state’s community college recipients -- is not only a great credit to these outstanding students but also to the excellent instruction and support they have received through our College Transfer program,” said VGCC Dean of Arts and Sciences Maria Bailey.
Remember, Fall 12-Week Classes in a variety of curriculum programs begin on Sept. 17 and end on Dec. 16. Most of these classes are online, but a few are on-campus.
For a complete list of 12-Week and 2nd 8-Week classes, go to www.vgcc.edu and click on WebAd­visor. In the box la­beled “Starting On/After Date,” enter 09/17/13. In the box labeled “End­ing By Date,” enter 12/16/13. Leave all other fields blank.
Talk with an advisor or counselor and reg­ister for classes as soon as possible!
12-Week Mini-Term Starting SoonNews from August Page 5
VGCC was recently chosen to join the Plus 50 En­core Completion Program, a national effort to train 10,000 baby boomers for new jobs in health care, education and social services. The program is sponsored by the Ameri­can Association of Com­munity Colleges. VGCC is one of only four community colleges in North Carolina currently participating in the program, which seeks to assist adults age 50 and over in completing degrees or cer­tificates in high-demand occupations that give back to the community.
At VGCC, older adults can prepare for a variety of ca­reers associated with the Plus 50 program. In health care, the college offers training to become a Nurse (RN or LPN), Nurse Aide (CNA I or II), Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Tech­nician, Radiographer, Medication Aide, Phlebotomist, Emer­gency Medical Technician (Basic to Paramedic level), Medi­cal Coder, or Health Unit Coordinator. Education programs at VGCC can train students to work as teacher’s aides, early childhood educators and substitute teachers. The Human Services Technology programs at the college train profes­sionals who might work in social services, mental health or
Vance-Granville Receives Plus 50 Grant
substance abuse counseling agencies. Students served by the Plus 50 program may be enrolled in continuing education or curriculum programs, taking classes on any of VGCC’s four cam­puses or online. Adults age 50 and over who are already enrolled at VGCC in these programs, as well as new students, can benefit from the college’s participation in Plus 50.
As part of the program, VGCC is receiving a grant worth $15,000 over the next three years to enhance training programs through professional development for instructors and guidance in targeting the baby boomer population. As part of Plus 50, VGCC plans to provide orientation, academ­ic support and counseling tailored to the particular needs of adults who have returned to education after many years in the workforce. Students may also receive help updating their computer skills to succeed in class and on the job.
The Plus 50 Encore Completion Program is funded with a $3.2 million grant to AACC provided by Deerbrook Chari­table Trust.
For more information about Plus 50 at VGCC, contact Kyle Burwell at burwellk@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3276.
BROWN, from page 1
and Dr. Doris Terry Williams of Henderson as the secretary.
The Board also voted to approve year-end amend­ments to the 2012-13 Budget Resolution. The College’s com­bined amended 2012-2013 operating budget is $43,480,333 and the amended capital improvement budget is $988,141. This makes the college’s total 2012-13 combined amended budget $44,468,474. The Board also approved funds for the College’s Athletics programs and the 2013-2014 college fee schedule.
In other business, President Stelfanie Williams reported to the Board that the college had been fully reaffirmed with no conditions by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges. More than two years of preparations by VGCC preceded the SACS reaf­firmation. Every ten years, colleges and universities that, like VGCC, have already been accredited must seek reaf­firmation to maintain their status. The Atlanta-based SACS Commission on Colleges is the regional body for the ac­creditation of degree-granting higher education institutions throughout the Southeast. Continued accreditation indicates that Vance-Granville is recognized as an institution of qual­ity. Students attending accredited institutions commonly find it easier to transfer from one institution to another or to continue their studies upon graduation. Financially, ac­creditation means that specific types of federal and state fi­nancial aid are available to the college and its students. As part of the reaffirmation process, VGCC hosted an on-site committee in September 2012 and submitted extensive re­ports and a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) required by the accrediting agency. A QEP is a long-term course of action that addresses a topic or issue related to improving student learning and/or students’ learning environment. VGCC’s plan, entitled “Advising in 3D: Dream, Design, Discover,” is focused on academic advising and career planning. Presi­dent Williams applauded the dedication of all VGCC faculty and staff members who helped during the reaccreditation process. The Board also commended the college’s president, faculty and staff for the hard work that they had done to be fully reaccredited.
The next regular meeting of the Board will be held on Monday, September 16 at 7 p.m. in the board room on Main Campus.Page 6 News from August
DATE DAY OPPONENT/EVENT LOCATION TIME
Sept. 3 Tuesday Davidson Co. CC Henderson 6:00 PM
Sept. 5 Thursday Rockingham CC Henderson 6:00 PM
Sept. 7* Saturday Rockingham CC Virginia Western CC 3:50 PM
Sept. 7* Saturday Virginia Western CC Virginia Western CC 5:10 PM
Sept. 21 Saturday Wytheville CC Henderson 2:00 PM
Sept. 21 Saturday Wytheville CC Henderson 4:00 PM
Sept. 27 Friday Lenoir CC Henderson 6:00 PM
Sept. 28* Saturday Wake Tech CC Wake Tech CC NOON
Sept. 28* Saturday Spartanburg Methodist College Wake Tech CC 1:30 PM
Oct. 1 Tuesday Central Carolina CC Central Carolina CC 6:00 PM
Oct. 5* Saturday Mid-Atlantic Christian University Henderson 1:30 PM
Oct. 5* Saturday Virginia Western CC Henderson 4:30 PM
Oct. 15 Tuesday Davidson Co. CC Davidson Co. CC 6:00 PM
Oct. 18 Friday Sandhills CC Sandhills CC 6:00 PM
Oct. 22 Tuesday Central Carolina CC Henderson 6:00 PM
Oct. 26 Saturday Region X Tournament Wytheville CC TBD
COME OUT AND SUPPORT
VGCC WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL!
FALL 2013 SCHEDULE
* = Part of a Tri-match
Bold = Home Matches, to be played at Aycock Recreation Center (307 Carey Chapel Road, Henderson, NC 27537).
• Sept. 17, 1978 (35 Years Ago): The 33,000-square-foot Building 5 on Main Campus was completed.
• Sept. 1, 1988 (25 Years Ago): Ramps from I-85 opened onto Poplar Creek Road near the entrance to VGCC’s Main Campus, providing greater visibility and accessibility to the college.
TRIVIA & TIDBITS: This Month in VGCC HistoryNews from August Page 7
Mission Statement
Vance-Granville Community College educates, inspires, and supports a diverse community of learners to achieve professional and personal success.
Vision Statement
In partnership with our community, Vance-Granville Community College will lead the economic development of our region, be nationally-recognized for educational excellence, and improve our world through stewardship and sustainability.
Represent and serve your fellow VGCC students by becoming an officer in the Student Government Association (SGA). Officers are scheduled to be elected on Sept. 25. For more information, contact Jasmine Hightower at hightowerj@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3445.
DO YOU WANT TO BE A STUDENT LEADER?
TO GET
A JOB?
Work-Based Learning, formerly known as Cooperative Work Experience (Co-op), is a great way to gain work experience and earn academic credit toward graduation. Talk with your advisor now to plan for the spring semester. If you are already working in a job related to your program of study, it is not too late to enroll for the fall semester. Eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to, enrollment in a program offering COE as a major elective and approval by the program/department head. Applications and complete eligibility requirements are available in the Career Center, located in the Student Learning & Success Center (Building 1) on Main Campus. Applications are available online at www.vgcc.edu/CareerServices/coop-application.pdf. For more information, e-mail fletcherl@vgcc.edu.
NEW VGCC MISSION & VISION STATEMENTS
Adopted by the Board of
Trustees on June 15, 2013
NEED
WORK2013
VanGran News September 2013
S M T W T F S
SEPTEMBER
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OCTOBER 2013
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AUGUST 2013
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JOIN US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!
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HOME MATCH:
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
6 p.m.
Aycock Rec. Center
12-WEEK MINI-TERM
CLASSES BEGIN
SGA MEETING
1 p.m.
HOME MATCH:
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
6 p.m.
Aycock Rec. Center
CONSTITUTION DAY
LAST DAY TO ADD A CLASS
(12-WEEK)
LAST DAY FOR FALL 2013
BOOKSTORE FINANCIAL AID
CHARGES
HOME MATCH:
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
DOUBLE-HEADER
2 & 4 p.m.
Aycock Rec. Center
LAST DAY FOR A PARTIAL
REFUND & LAST DAY TO DROP
WITH NO TRANSCRIPT GRADE
(12-WEEK)
SGA MEETING
(ELECTIONS)
1 p.m.
HOME MATCH:
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
6 p.m.
Aycock Rec. Center
SGA Sponsored:
WELCOME BACK BREAKFAST
8:45 - 10 a.m.
Student Lounge, Franklin Campus