“We are all truly partners in meeting the educational needs of our area,” Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC, said as she welcomed attendees. “In both formal and informal ways, we are connected, and we are all affected by numerous significant changes going on in education and in our society.” She mentioned new programs being added at the college and the new “Vanguard Vision” strategic plan, which emphasizes community partnerships as well as educational excellence, from “access” to “success.” “As educators, our collective responsibility is to ensure that students are prepared for higher education and for their careers,” Williams said. “We always look forward to this opportunity to share information, network with each other, discuss new ideas, and receive feedback,” added Dr. Angela Ballentine, the college’s Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs.
College officials discussed topics including how local high school graduates fare at VGCC; the college’s new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which concerns academic advising and career planning; recent changes to developmental education; new student placement policies that will be effective in Fall 2014; procedures for applying and registering for classes; and resources and support services for students. Biology instructor Button Brady described camps that VGCC is planning for middle and high school students in the coming year, including a Biotech Lab Workshop in March 2014, followed by Science Camp and Teenworks Drama Camp, both in June 2014.
Attendees then received unique perspectives from a panel of three VGCC students. Charles Douglas of Henderson enrolled in the College Transfer program so that he could start a new career after his service in the U.S. Army came to an end, and he found VGCC to be affordable and high-quality. Julleah Norton of Henderson, also a College Transfer student, started taking classes at age 16 and continued because she did not quite feel ready to head off to a four-year university in another state. Isley Richardson of Norlina discussed her experience as a Warren Early College High School student. She is set to graduate in 2014 with a high school diploma and a two-year degree as she prepares to transfer to East Carolina University. Richardson emphasized the small class size at VGCC, the diversity of the student body and the availability of helpful resources. “Anybody can succeed here at Vance-Granville,” she said.
During break-out sessions, attendees learned about financial aid, VGCC scholarships, and the Career & College Promise (CCP) program, which allows eligible high school students to earn college credits through several different structured pathways.
Entertainment was provided during lunch by three VGCC College Transfer students in the Music Scholars program: Max Richardson of Hollister on guitar, Byron Brown of Henderson on saxophone and Travis Williams of Warrenton on keyboard. Sitting in with the trio on bass guitar was Richardson’s father, Haliwa-Saponi Chief Ron Richardson.
