In today's global economy, the residents of our area need certain knowledge and skills to compete. Vance-Granville Community College is the most accessible, affordable place for them to obtain such knowledge and skills. It has become increasingly apparent that in the 21st century, everyone - not just a privileged few - must seek education beyond high school if they want jobs and opportunities in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.

From personal experience, I know how valuable a community college education is. I began my association with community colleges more than 35 years ago as a student, and I have spent the majority of my professional life as an instructor and administrator in community colleges. I have seen first-hand the many lives that have been improved as a result of community college education.

All of us face numerous challenges in these early years of the 21st century. The world in which we live continues to change rapidly. We at VGCC are prepared to change, too, in order to provide our students the type of training they need to succeed in the ever-changing global economy. As we plan and implement these needed changes, there are several things on which we can count to ensure we meet our goals:

• Top-quality faculty and staff.
• Modern, convenient, expanding campuses in all four counties.
• Technological advances in equipment and in teaching methods.
• The overwhelming support of the people in the four counties we serve, both in financial appropriations to operate our campuses and in gifts to our Endowment Fund.

Using these assets, I promise that all we do at Vance-Granville Community College will continue to be for the benefit of the most important people on our campuses: our students.

If you have ever looked closely at our college seal, you might have noticed that it contains three small circles. Inside two of those circles are representations of the two institutions that preceded what we know today as North Carolina's community colleges. One is labeled "IEC" for "Industrial Education Center" and the other is labeled "TI" for "Technical Institute." VGCC started out as "Vance County Technical Institute." But in 1976, VCTI added a college-transfer program, and we assumed our current name. That is why above those two circles, you can see a third circle, with the letters "CC" for "Community College" on an open book. The book lies over the North Pole on a representation of the earth. What an appropriate image for VGCC as we strive to open an entire world of knowledge and opportunity to our students! If you are considering continuing your education at Vance-Granville, I hope that reading this catalog will be your first step into that world. If, on the other hand, you are already a Vance-Granville student, I hope that you can use the information in this catalog to finish your degrees, meet your own personal goals and reach your fullest potential.

Randy Parker, President of Vance-Granville Community College