-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College’s Board of Trustees approved the addition of new certificates in the Pharmacy Technology curriculum program and the College and Career Promise (CCP) Pathways at the bimonthly meeting on the college’s Main Campus on Monday, May 21.

The Pharmacy Technology certificates, which will be available this fall, expand opportunities in a program that already offers an associate’s degree and a diploma providing qualified students with the skills and knowledge needed to practice in a variety of pharmacy settings. The suggested course sequence for the 13-hour certificate program, which can be completed in one semester, offers courses in Introduction to Pharmacy, Pharmacy Practice, Pharmacy Calculations (including a lab), and Trends in Pharmacy.

Certificate coursework applies towards completion of a diploma or an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. The CCP Pathway offers qualified high school students the opportunity to earn college credit for free while enrolled in high school.

Graduates of the Pharmacy Technology curriculum are eligible for employment in hospitals, nursing homes, private and chain drug stores, research laboratories, wholesale drug companies, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and pharmacy benefit management call centers. Graduates are also prepared to take the National Certification Examination developed by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). VGCC’s program has also become an Advocate Educator through the PTCB Educator Program.

The action came after a recommendation from the trustees’ Curriculum Committee, chaired by Trustee Barbara Cates Harris. In other action from the committee, the trustees voted to close a curriculum certificate program in Sustainable Electrical Energies, effective in the fall, because current trends in the workforce no longer support the demand for the certificate. Upon committee recommendation, too, the board approved the offering of an Occupational Extension course in Food Service Management to Captive/Co-opted Groups at Polk Correctional Institution in Butner.

Capital Projects

In an update on the college’s Capital Projects, Trustee Donald C. Seifert, Sr., noted that the structural renovation and restoration of masonry at the Main Campus will be placed out for bid this summer after the competition of the final assessment fieldwork.

The bidding process for fire alarm replacement work on the Main Campus has been delayed up to two months by reviews in the State Construction Office, he said.

In addition, he noted that design development and construction documents are scheduled to be completed later this month for renovations to Building 10, with bids going out in June, and Welding Laboratory renovations at the Franklin Campus have been inspected and accepted after being completed earlier this spring.

Quality Enhancement Plan

Jeffrey Allen, dean of enrollment and outreach for VGCC, gave the board an update on the college’s Quality Enhancement Program, designed to streamline the college’s advising process with more emphasis on student success.

Labeled as “Advising in 3D — Dream, Design and Discover,” the QEP has three goals: (1) Students will develop a rapport/relationship with an advisor; (2) Students will know the steps to completion of their academic and career goals; and (3) Students will become responsible, independent and empowered for their education.

Among the various steps being taken to meet those goals, advising and orientation are now mandatory; academic and career planning courses require students to identify their programs of study, review courses completed, and plan semester-by-semester for completing course requirements for graduation; and an emphasis is being placed on career services, the Academic Skills Center, financial aid and other resources to help ensure student success.

“We are pleased with the progress we’ve made for our students through the QEP,” noted Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC, “and we see many opportunities for student success going forward.”

SGA President

The board recognized the Student Government Association president, Sovanny “Sophie” Taylor, who finished her term as a Student Trustee.

Taylor, who is a graduate of Franklin County Early College High School as well as Vance-Granville Community College, said that she found her academic experience at VGCC “refreshing” because of the support and care demonstrated by staff and faculty.

Taylor will enter Honors College at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a junior this fall, she told the board. She plans to study molecular genetics.

Other Action

In other action:

• The trustees approved student, patron, child care and facility rental fees for the 2018-2019 academic year, recommended by the Budget Committee, chaired by Trustee Abdul Rasheed.
• Trustee Sara Wester, chair of the Personnel Committee, reported on new employees, retirements and resignations.
• The Investment Committee, chaired by Trustee L. Opie Frazier, Jr., reported on growth in the college’s investments.
• Board Chair Danny Wright appointed a nominating committee composed of Frazier, Wester and Harris to prepare a list of nominees for officers for the Board of Trustees for 2018-2019.

The next meeting of the VGCC Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, July 16, at the Main Campus.