VGCC receives community input at Vance County forum
Vance-Granville Community College convened a group of about 50 Vance County businesspeople, community leaders and college employees on Jan. 14 at its main campus for a forum to discuss how the college can better serve the area over the next five years. The event was the first of four such sessions being held in each of the four counties served by VGCC.
Dr. Kathy Baker Smith, a retired Guilford Technical Community College official who is consulting with VGCC on the process of gathering information and planning, welcomed the group. Then, VGCC President Randy Parker gave participants an overview of the college, as well as the national and global context within which the college will be operating in coming years. “The goal of the planning process is identify local economic, social, cultural and educational needs, and then to develop educational solutions to meet those needs,” Parker said. He thanked the local leaders for contributing their suggestions and concerns, which will be considered as Vance-Granville’s staff and Board of Trustees develop a strategic plan for the next five years.
The participants were broken up into four small groups, with each one considering different themes. Timothy Baynes, executive director of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, was the facilitator for the group discussing global awareness and competitiveness. Members of the group talked about the educational programs and services VGCC needs to provide for existing business and industry to remain competitive in an interdependent world market, as well as what skill sets students need in order to be successful in the global economy.
Bill Edwards, president of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, led the workforce/economic development group, which tackled county-wide challenges dealing with a knowledge-based economy and strategies to make sure the local workforce is up-to-date with changing business needs.
A group considering the success of students, programs and services — and how such success can be measured — was led by James Edwards, publisher of The Daily Dispatch.
Vance County manager Jerry Ayscue led the fourth group, which discussed key issues facing the community and perceived “hot topics” of the future. At the conclusion of the forum, each small group reported their discussions and ideas to the entire group.
Above: The small group considering key community issues and hot topics in Vance County included, from left, VGCC Director of Counseling Daniel Alvarado, VGCC trustee Henrietta H. Clark, Vance County Social Services Director Kay Fields, Vance County commissioner Dan Brummitt and VGCC Vice President of Finance and Operations Matt Williams. (VGCC photo)
