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VGCC forum brings together middle and high school partners

Administrators and guidance counselors from local schools recently met at Vance-Granville Community College to learn more about what the college offers, and to discuss how the educational institutions work in partnership. Representatives of public high schools and middle schools, charter schools, private schools and home-schools in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties were invited to attend the forum, held on Oct. 23 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus.

 

Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC, made welcoming remarks after attendees first had opportunities to engage in roundtable discussions with various members of the college faculty and staff. Williams noted the many ways in which the college collaborates with local schools, including the Manufacturing Skills Training Alliance, which involves VGCC and the Career and Technical Education programs from the four county school systems. This partnership has received two major grants within the past year. “We are invested in each other’s success,” the president said, referring to VGCC and local schools.

 

In her remarks, VGCC Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs Dr. Angela Ballentine added that all of the local educators share a common goal of “preparing students for careers, college and citizenship.” She said that “there is no greater, more important work than meeting students where they are and taking them as far as they can go.”

 

College officials discussed a range of topics, including admissions and placement testing; the college’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which concerns academic advising and career planning; the new Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) between the state’s community college system and the UNC System; and resources and support services available to students, both online and face-to-face. 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 May 2015, followed by Science Camp and Teenworks Drama Camp in the summer.

 

Attendees then received unique perspectives from a panel of VGCC students. Panelists included Imani Burwell of Kittrell, a student at Franklin County Early College High School ; Victoria Anderson of Youngsville, a College Transfer student; Dakota Parrish of Middleburg, a Vance County Early College High School student; and Rosemary Ombajo of Raleigh, a student in the LPN to Associate Degree Nursing Transition Program. From his experience, Parrish, whose father also attended VGCC, said that “jumping from high school straight to a large university is not for everyone.” He said that VGCC’s diverse offerings, small class sizes and personal attention from instructors had helped prepare him to continue his education.

 

During break-out sessions, attendees learned about financial aid, VGCC Endowment Fund scholarships, and the Career & College Promise (CCP) program, which allows eligible high school students to earn college credits through several different structured pathways, without having to pay tuition.

 

Entertainment was provided during lunch by four VGCC students in the Music Scholars program: Julian Alvarado of Oxford on drums, Keondre Haywood of Henderson on keyboard, Charlie Keith of Raleigh on bass and Jamario Woodard of Henderson on guitar.

 

Above:  VGCC student panelists (from left) Rosemary Ombajo, Dakota Parrish (holding microphone), Victoria Anderson and Imani Burwell answer questions from local middle and high school counselors and administrators at the Oct. 23 forum in the VGCC Civic Center. (VGCC Photo)

 

 

VGCC faculty and staff held roundtable discussions with counselors and administrators from local middle and high schools. In foreground, attendees learned more about the college’s programs in Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technology and Human Services Technology. (VGCC photo)

 

Above:  VGCC faculty and staff held roundtable discussions with counselors and administrators from local middle and high schools. In foreground, attendees learned more about the college’s programs in Medical Assisting , Pharmacy Technology and Human Services Technology . (VGCC photo)