VGCC names three New Deans to lead instructional programs
A new year and a new semester recently brought new leadership to three divisions at Vance-Granville Community College. In January, Angela L. Gardner-Ragland of Henderson was named VGCC’s Dean of Business and Applied Technologies, Angela M. Thomas of Hillsborough was named Dean of Health Sciences, and Dale L. Fey of Greensboro was named Dean of Continuing Education. Both Gardner-Ragland and Thomas are familiar faces at VGCC as experienced educators, while Fey is a newcomer to the institution with experience in business and in the community college system.
Gardner-Ragland (pictured above, left) earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Fayetteville State University and a master’s degree in criminal justice at North Carolina Central University. She started at VGCC as an instructor for the Criminal Justice program in 1997 and became head of the program in 2000. Gardner-Ragland later served as interim Dean of Arts and Sciences and as Dean of Applied Technologies and Public Service. In her new position, she oversees certificate, diploma and degree programs in a variety of technical career fields, including Accounting , Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology , Automotive Systems Technology , Business Administration , Carpentry , Computer Information Technology , Cosmetology , Criminal Justice , Culinary Arts , Electrical/Electronics Technology , Electronics Engineering Technology , Entrepreneurship , Global Logistics Technology , Information Systems Security , Medical Office Administration , Networking Technology , Office Administration , Sustainability , Web Technologies , and Welding Technology . Gardner-Ragland received the VGCC Excellence in Teaching Award in 2004, and is a graduate of the N.C. Community College Leadership Program.
Thomas (pictured above, center) graduated with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology from Pitt Community College and a bachelor of arts in Forensic Science from Guilford College, before completing a master’s degree in Health Care Management from Ashworth College. Thomas started her association with VGCC as a part-time Radiography instructor in 1997 and became the program’s full-time clinical coordinator in 2000. In 2007, she was promoted to become head of the program. Since 2012, she has been serving as Dean of Health Sciences on an interim basis. As Dean, Thomas leads a division that includes the Nursing , Human Services Technology , Medical Assisting , Pharmacy Technology and Radiography programs. Thomas was named VGCC’s Faculty Member of the Year in 2011 and is a graduate of the N.C. Community College Leadership Program.
Fey (pictured above, right) holds a bachelor’s degree from Thomas More College, an MBA from High Point University and a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship from Western Carolina University. He spent many years as a corporate executive, entrepreneur and management consultant in the Greensboro area. In early 2011, Fey became the Small Business Center director for Central Carolina Community College in Sanford. There, he assisted in the development of over 45 new small businesses and expanded the center’s training programs at three campuses. At VGCC, Fey will oversee programs that respond to local employers’ training needs and support workforce development in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. His division also includes the Small Business Center , personal enrichment and computer courses , prison programs, and occupational training in fields such as health care , law enforcement and Emergency Medical Services .
