VGCC Board Hears Plans for Student Learning and Success Center
The Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees held its regular bimonthly meeting on Monday, September 19 at the college’s main campus in Henderson.
At that meeting, the Board heard a presentation from Interim President Dr. Angela Ballentine and Interim Vice President of Instruction Dr. Rodney Foth regarding the creation of the new VGCC Student Learning and Success Center.
The Student Learning and Success Center will incorporate and connect existing college services such as academic advising, counseling, mentoring, career services and tutoring together under one new division. The center will mark a significant change to the way the college operates and is part of a nationwide paradigm shift toward “The Completion Agenda.” This national community college movement seeks to create “student success pathways” that can, in the next two decades, double the number of students who complete a certificate or an associate degree, or who transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree. The effort involves collaboration among all college faculty and staff members so that each student sees a clear path through education to a career.
Dr. Ballentine said that she is excited about the new model represented by the Student Learning and Success Center. “This will take VGCC’s tradition of being student-friendly to a whole new level and set us apart as a college that is leading the way into the future of higher education,” she said. Jennifer M. Johnson of Henderson has been appointed to lead the center in the new position of Dean of Student Learning and Success.
Also at the meeting, trustee Sara Wester, chair of the Presidential Search Committee, reported to the Board that the Search Committee had narrowed the field of potential presidential candidates from 42 down to 12. Wester added that these 12 candidates had been asked to supply video interviews and the Search Committee is currently reviewing those. The Search Committee’s goal is to narrow the selection group to six candidates, who will then interview with all Board members beginning in November. Dr. Randy Parker, VGCC’s former president, left the college to become the president of Guilford Technical Community College on Sept. 1.
In other business, the Board voted to approve the 2011-2012 Budget Resolution and Summary of Revenues and Expenditures as presented. The college’s total operating budget for 2011-2012 is $47,083,471.
The next regular meeting of the Board will be held on Monday, November 21 at 7 p.m. in the board room on Main Campus.
