VGCC early childhood, criminal justice programs have new leaders

Two Vance-Granville Community College faculty members were recently promoted to lead their respective academic programs.

Tracey Bennett (pictured above, left), a resident of Durham, is the new head of the Early Childhood Education program, and will also oversee the Lateral Entry program, which helps adults with bachelor’s degrees in various fields to become certified classroom teachers. She has taught at VGCC since 2003. Bennett earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in human development and family relations, with a focus on early childhood, at North Carolina Central University. She is now a student at Walden University, working toward a Ph.D. in early childhood education. Bennett is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)’s Commission on Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation. VGCC offers an Early Childhood Associate degree and diploma, as well as certificates concentrating on infant and toddler care , early childhood administration, general education, and Special Needs. For more information on these programs, call Bennett at (252) 738-3471.

Andrea Ferguson (pictured above, right) of Warren County has been named Criminal Justice Technology program head, after serving in that position on an interim basis during the 2010-2011 academic year. She has been a VGCC Criminal Justice instructor since 1998. Before becoming an educator, Ferguson had a career in law enforcement, and currently serves as an auxiliary deputy with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections at North Carolina Central University and a master’s in Criminology at Indiana State University. VGCC offers a Criminal Justice associate degree, as well as certificates in Corrections and Law Enforcement. For more information, call Ferguson at (252) 738-3441.

“Andrea and Tracey are experienced educators with extensive knowledge of the college and their subjects,” said Angela Gardner-Ragland, VGCC’s Dean of Applied Technologies and Public Service. “They are both well-prepared to guide these programs into the future, as they train students to serve their communities.”