VGCC’s new plan to enhance Advising introduced at Warren Campus
Vance-Granville Community College recently held special events for students at each of the college’s four campuses. These receptions served not only to welcome students to the start of a new semester but also to unveil VGCC’s new “ Quality Enhancement Plan ” (QEP). The five-year initiative is entitled “Advising in 3D: Dream, Design, Discover,” and it focuses on improving academic advising and career planning for students. The QEP, developed after gathering input from VGCC students, faculty and staff and the community, aims to help students succeed by empowering them to take responsibility for their academic and career goals.
On Aug. 30, VGCC’s Warren County Campus in Warrenton became the second location to host a QEP event. At a brief outdoor ceremony, VGCC Dean of Student Learning & Success Jennifer Johnson, who serves as chair of the QEP committee, and Warren Campus Dean George Henderson made welcoming remarks to an assembly of students, faculty and staff. VGCC Vice President of Institutional Advancement Jo Anna Jones then announced that the unveiling of the QEP represented “a commitment that Vance-Granville makes as an institution to our students that we will support you in terms of academic advising and career planning — no matter what your individual goals are, no matter what program you enroll in, no matter what campus you attend.” Jones advised students that they too must become partners in making the plan a success. “A commitment is a two-way street, so each student needs to build relationships with your advisors and other staff,” she said. “At the end of the day, this is all about ensuring that all students reach their goals.”
The highlight of the ceremony came when Dean Henderson and two students from Warren Campus — Warren Early College High School sophomore Daniel Davis and Business Administration student Melissa Jones — lifted a covering to reveal a large wooden cube on the campus grounds that is designed to symbolize the QEP. Constructed by VGCC Carpentry students under the supervision of program head/instructor Keith Tunstall and decorated by a team of college faculty and staff members, the cube has a puzzle-piece design. The words “Dream,” “Design” and “Discover” are painted on three of the sides, with “3 D” on top. “This piece of art will serve as a daily reminder to every member of our VGCC community that our institution is committed to solid academic advising and career planning, and ultimately to student success,” Jones said. Following the ceremony, students enjoyed refreshments at a reception and had the chance to win prizes by correctly answering questions about the QEP.
VGCC’s development of the QEP is part of the process through which the college is seeking reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Such a reaffirmation is required every ten years of institutions that, like VGCC, have already been accredited by the Atlanta-based agency. SACS requires each college and university to submit a QEP, a long-term course of action that addresses a topic or issue related to improving student learning and/or students’ learning environment.
Above: From left, Warren Early College High School sophomore Daniel Davis, VGCC Warren Campus Dean George Henderson and VGCC Business Administration student Melissa Jones pose with the newly unveiled cube that represents the Quality Enhancement Plan, entitled “Advising in 3D: Dream, Design, Discover.” (VGCC photo)
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