VGCC adds more online courses to VOLT; scholarships available
The new “Vanguard Online Learning through Technology” (VOLT) initiative at Vance-Granville Community College continues to grow, with additional courses set to begin in January. VOLT courses are for adult learners who need an online-only educational experience.
The college launched VOLT in August and offered 12 course sections in a variety of subjects. When the spring semester begins on Jan. 11, 2016, the number of course sections will be at least 15. Registration for spring is currently ongoing, and ends on Dec. 16.
New courses have been added within each of the four two-year programs currently offered through VOLT — Business Administration , Criminal Justice , Medical Office Administration – Coding Specialist , and Global Logistics and Distribution Management Technology . VOLT students are able to earn these associate’s degrees completely online. Advances in technology allow many of the courses to be more interactive than those offered in the past.
College officials are currently working on plans to add to VOLT the Associate in Arts program, which provides students with the first two years of a four-year degree. Associate in Arts graduates are guaranteed admission to one of the 16 universities in the University of North Carolina system, usually transferring in with junior ranking.
Anyone can enroll in VOLT starting in any semester, but certain courses have prerequisites, VGCC Director of Distance Education Evelyn Harris noted.
VOLT students enjoy several specific benefits, including priority registration and guaranteed course availability. They also have access to many online resources that are available to all VGCC students, such as library services, testing and the Bookstore. VOLT students also have an academic and career coach, John Hall, devoted to helping them.
Gwen Moore of Oxford was the first person to enroll in VOLT and is now preparing for her second semester in the online Business Administration program. “Everything is going great,” Moore said of her studies. “I found a job a few weeks ago, so I have been blending family, school and work. I am taking Logistics, Business, Accounting, English and a Computer class. I am already signed up for my spring semester classes and ready to go.”
VOLT courses have the same low tuition as all other VGCC courses, making them more affordable than their counterparts at for-profit institutions. Earlier this year, VGCC was recognized for offering one of the most affordable online associate degree programs in the United States by BestColleges.com. In addition, Duke Energy, a longtime corporate supporter of VGCC, has provided funds for scholarships specifically for VOLT students.
For more information about VOLT, visit volt.vgcc.edu or call Evelyn Harris at (252) 738-3254 or John Hall at (252) 738-3228.
