As the end of the spring semester approached, the staff of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant program at Vance-Granville Community College held their first-ever “College-to-Career Mixer” for students to meet with potential employers. Not only were 15 new graduates of the Welding Technology and Mechatronics Engineering Technology programs in attendance, but also five students who were not yet ready to graduate but were looking for potential Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities.
Prior to the event, college staff members drilled the students on job interview techniques, and some students participated in mock interviews. All received resume preparation assistance and detailed information about the employers who would be in attendance at the mixer. Participating employers included BFS Industries, LLC, of Butner; Bridgestone/Bandag of Oxford; Novozymes North America of Franklinton; Carolina Sunrock of Kittrell and Butner; Trulite Glass & Aluminum Solutions of Youngsville; Glen Raven of Norlina; Delhaize America of Butner; J.P. Taylor/Universal Leaf of Oxford; and Altec of Creedmoor.
“As we move forward, VGCC will be looking for ways to increase our synergy with our employer partners while providing a robust pipeline for qualified future employees,” said Zane Styers, who manages the TAACCCT grant. “Industry tours, Work-Based Learning, internships and apprenticeships are options that form the framework for our College-to-Career pipeline.”
The $1.75 million TAACCCT grant, the largest single competitive grant in VGCC history, has helped the college develop and enhance innovative training programs for advanced manufacturing careers. The TAACCCT grants are part of a nearly $2 billion initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor to expand targeted training programs for unemployed workers, especially those impacted by foreign trade. For more information on TAACCCT, contact Zane Styers at styersz@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3342.
–VGCC–
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/VGCC-connects-students-and-new-graduates-to-employers.jpg280453WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2017-07-05 15:48:172017-07-05 15:48:44VGCC connects students and new graduates to employers
On Thursday, June 29, the Granville County Board of Education announced several important updates regarding key leadership positions at the district level.
Following the retirement of Dr. Dorwin L. Howard Sr. as Superintendent effective June 30, the Board appointed Dr. Michael A. Myrick, to serve as Acting Superintendent until the new Superintendent search process is finalized. Dr. Myrick serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and Student Services.
During this interim role, Dr. Myrick will assume the responsibilities as Superintendent and also take on the added duties associated with Maintenance & Facilities, Transportation and Safety.
Ms. Beth Day, Assistant Superintendent for Finance, will take on the added duties of Child Nutrition, and Custodial, Recycling/Energy Education and Warehouse Services.
Both Dr. Myrick and Ms.. Beth Day are contractually employed through June 30, 2018.
Ms. Betty Hicks was named Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Clerk to the Board of Education effective July 1. Ms. Hicks has more than 17 years experience working with Granville County Public Schools, having served in school-based support roles, and most recently as the Executive Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Operations.
Board Chairman Thomas Houlihan offered his comments on the changes, “The Board has been working very hard over the past several months to find the best possible candidate to lead our schools as Superintendent. These adjustments in personnel will help ensure continuity of services for our students and the community. Once the new Superintendent is announced, we can continue the progress toward transforming our schools to be the best in the state, and even the nation. Our students deserve nothing less.”
The Granville County Board of Education has scheduled a special called meeting on Thursday, July 6 at 6:00 pm for the purposes of personnel. The meeting will take place at 101 Delacroix St. Oxford, N.C.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Granville-County-Schools.png280453WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2017-07-04 15:05:422017-07-04 15:05:42Granville County Board of Education Appoints Acting Superintendent
Oxford, June 29, 2017- In partnership with the National Association of Counties, the National Flag Foundation and the National Sheriffs Association, Granville County has installed a flag retirement box, at no cost to the county, at the Granville County Administration Building at 141 Williamsboro Street, Oxford. Flags should be folded respectfully before being placed in the box.
The United States Flag Code prescribes flag etiquette — everything from flying it near other flags to instructions on how to raise and lower it. “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning,” says the code.
Members of Boy Scouts will be responsible for the proper disposal of the worn flags. Flag disposal boxes are provided free of charge to NACo member counties thanks to generous national sponsorship from Nationwide Insurance & Lamar Advertising.
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About Granville County Government:
Granville County Government enhances the quality of life for the citizens of the County by providing an array of services through a responsive, effective, and efficient local government. Learn more at www.granvillecounty.org. Follow Granville County Government on Facebook @GranvilleCountyGov.
About National Association of Counties:
The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service. More information at: www.naco.org.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/granvillecountyseal.png280453WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2017-07-04 14:23:322017-07-04 14:27:39Granville County provides new option for proper disposal of worn U.S. flags
HENDERSON, N.C. — When six students walked across the stage to receive their degrees at Vance-Granville Community College’s May commencement exercises, they quietly made history. They were among the first graduates of the college who had received the “VanGuarantee” scholarship to help eliminate any financial barriers standing between them and their academic goals.
The innovative scholarship program was first announced in 2016 by the president of the college, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, with the first scholarships being awarded in the fall 2016 semester. The VanGuarantee was made possible by a $1.6 million bequest to VGCC from the estate of Wilbert A. Edwards, a resident of Oxford at the time of his death and a native of Vance County. The gift, announced in 2015, is the second largest in the history of the college.
Three of the VanGuarantee recipients participating in Commencement were graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing program: Brittany Champion of Creedmoor, Courtney Humphries of eastern Granville County and Erin Woodlief of Franklinton. Alicia Toler of Raleigh, a former Granville County resident, graduated with an Associate in Arts degree. Kristen Honaker of Henderson completed a degree in Pharmacy Technology. Tanisha Silver of Warrenton graduated from the Medical Office Administration degree program.
“Receiving the VanGuarantee meant a lot to me,” Silver reflected. “I received a community college grant for the fall 2016 semester, but I still didn’t have enough to pay for my books. I was told about the VanGuarantee scholarship, and I was ecstatic about it. It has helped me out a lot, because it has made it possible for me to finish school.” Silver is currently in the job market for employment in a doctor’s office or hospital setting and is considering continuing her education at the bachelor’s degree level. A former certified nursing assistant and a mother, she said she waited until all of her children were in school to work on advancing her own career through education.
Toler said she was very appreciative of the opportunity that the VanGuarantee provided her. She intends to transfer into a four-year university to study nursing. “Had it not been for the VGCC Financial Aid Office staff, particularly Ms. Tonya Strum, telling me about the VanGuarantee scholarship, I don’t think I would have been able to stay in school,” Toler said.
At least two graduates are already employed, Champion in the emergency room at Duke Regional Hospital in Durham and Humphries at Maria Parham Health in Henderson, working in Outpatient Surgical Services. “I am very thankful that I was able to receive the VanGuarantee this year,” Humphries said. “It has helped me finish my last two semesters of RN school. I am truly blessed beyond words!”
The VanGuarantee is designed to cover tuition, student fees and/or textbooks for eligible students whose financial needs are unmet by federal financial aid and other means of support. The program is one of a number of “promise” or “guarantee” programs across the country, created by individual colleges or by states, in response to growing concerns from policymakers and students about the rising cost of higher education. In 2016, the VanGuarantee was recognized by the White House and national groups focused on college affordability.
Some college promise programs are open only to recent high school graduates, but the VanGuarantee applies to all eligible adults in the four counties, reflecting VGCC’s longstanding tradition of helping adults retrain for new careers at any age.
Among the eligibility requirements for the VanGuarantee, students must reside in the college’s service area (Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties) and qualify for in-state tuition. Eligible students must enroll in at least nine credit hours per semester in any VGCC curriculum program and not already possess a post-secondary degree from any college or university. They must first apply for and meet the eligibility requirements for federal and state financial aid programs. Next, they apply for endowed VGCC scholarships. When students still lack the funds to pay for their education after exhausting those and other sources, the VanGuarantee program helps to fill the gap. That makes the program an example of what is often called a “last-dollar scholarship.”
Once enrolled in the VanGuarantee program, students must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) to continue receiving the scholarship.
On Monday, June 19, a group of teachers from GCPS joined leaders from local advanced manufacturing companies for a “Pipeline to Employment” summit. The purpose of the event was to strengthen collaboration and understanding between local Advanced Manufacturing businesses and our school district.
Advanced Manufacturing is one of the fastest growing sectors of our local economy, and there are an increasing number of well-paying careers available. Most of these require some type of post-secondary education offered through our community college system or specialized industry training. Local Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses offer pathways into these areas as well. It was shared that starting salaries for students with specialized credentials or 2-year degrees can start as high as $40 thousand a year, with excellent benefits and lots of opportunities for overtime. Many of these careers can also be extended with additional BS degrees and beyond with higher levels of engineering, IT or biotech sector jobs.
During the event, educators heard from a variety of speakers, including a presentation from Alexis Franks of NC Works, Ms. Judy Woodson-Bruhn, Career Resource Specialist & Labor & Economics Analyst, from the NC Department of Commerce, and Michael McConchie, Certified Business Coach, M&M Consultants. They also had a chance to participate in industry roundtables, where representatives from twelve local companies presented information about their products and workforce needs.
Representatives from the following companies attended:
Altec
SunRock
PRM
Bridgestone Bandag
Delhaize America
Plastic Ingenuity
CertainTeed
Revlon
Stay Online
Gate Precast
NT Techno
Summit Engineering and Design
Dr. Stan Winborne, Director of the Career and Technical Education program explained the importance of the event, “Educators don’t often have an opportunity to hear first hand from local business and industry about their workforce needs. This was a fantastic way to make direct connections between the classroom and the workplace. The teachers who participated now have great information about all of the career opportunities to share with their students. Not many people realize how technically advanced most of these jobs are, and they would be shocked to learn just how much money someone can make with 2 years or less of technical training – no 4-year degree required. It’s amazing the opportunities in our own back yard. I am grateful to the time these business leaders gave to this event. It is evident they are truly invested in the future of our community.”
Several County Commissioners were in attendance, and Chairman Tim Karan and Commissioner Dr. Tony Cozart both offered remarks supporting partnerships to help better prepare our young citizens for careers in our local economy. Board Chair Dr. Houlihan was also on hand and praised the efforts to bring our schools and employers together. This event was co-planned by Mr. Harry Mills, Economic Development Director for Granville County, and the Career and Technical Education program of GCPS, under the leadership of Ms. Tamara Rodebaugh, Career Development Coordinator.
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Dr. Stan Winborne
Director of High Schools
Director of Career & Technical Education Program
Public Information Officer
Granville County Schools
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Granville-Teachers-and-Manufacturing-Leaders-hold-summit.png280453WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2017-06-27 09:18:542017-06-27 09:18:54Granville Teachers and Manufacturing Leaders hold summit
The in-kind grant gives students access to the same technology that companies around the world depend on every day to develop innovative products in a wide variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, machinery, shipbuilding, high-tech electronics and many more.
Graduates with this type of software training are highly-recruited candidates for advanced technology jobs.
The in-kind grant was provided by the Siemens PLM Software’s academic program that delivers PLM software for schools at every academic level. Siemens PLM Software is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services.
The in-kind grant for VGCC includes Siemens PLM Software’sTecnomatix® portfolio, the industry-leading digital manufacturing software.
This is in addition to a previous in-kind grant that included the company’s Solid Edge® software, an intuitive product development platform for accelerating all aspects of product creation, including 3D design, simulation, visualization, manufacturing, and design management.
Both software packages will be used by students in VGCC’s Mechatronics Engineering Technology degree program.
“Vance-Granville Community College would like to thank Siemens PLM Software for this generous grant of advanced engineering software that enables our students to better prepare for successful advanced technology careers,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC. “By using the same technology in the classroom that is used by companies all over the world to develop a wide variety of products, our students gain important real-world experience during their studies that will serve them well after graduation.”
“Despite an immediate, critical need for qualified technology-trained professionals in manufacturing, our customers have difficulty finding qualified candidates,” said Dora Smith, global director, Academic Partner Program, Siemens PLM Software. “Working with Vance-Granville Community College, Siemens PLM Software is helping prepare students with the knowledge and experience to fill this skills gap and become highly qualified employees.”
About Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College, one of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System, is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, north of the Research Triangle. Established in 1969, VGCC today serves students at four campuses (one in each county of the service area) and online. The college offers more than 40 curriculum programs, as well as occupational certifications, continuing education, adult education, customized training for employers and the first two years of a four-year degree. VGCC’s Mechatronics Engineering Technology degree program is based at the college’s South Campus, located near Creedmoor in southern Granville County. For more information, visit www.vgcc.edu.
–VGCC–
Legal note
Note: Solid Edge and Tecnomatix are trademarks or registered trademarks of Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/VGCC-Receives-Largest-Grant-in-School-History.jpg280453WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2017-06-22 11:24:502017-06-22 11:24:50VGCC Receives Largest Grant in School History
The educators are shown in the accompanying photo as they worked on an activity during their “Lean Manufacturing” training today in the Vance County Schools’ Administrative Services Center.
They began the training on June 19 and toured the Dill Air Controls and Revlon manufacturing plants in Granville County. They also heard presentations on youth services and how to best prepare students to be career and college ready. In addition to the manufacturing training session today, they also are touring the bioMerieux plant in Durham County. They will conclude their participation in the AMSTA event tomorrow at Franklinton High School in Franklin County, where they will meet with state commerce officials and listen to educational presentations including a session entitled, “School Choice and the Impact on Public Schools.”
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Local-Teachers-Attend-Summer-Professional-Development-Training.jpg280453WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2017-06-20 12:48:352017-06-20 12:48:35Local Teachers Attend Summer Professional Development Training
Harry Mills, Granville County Economic Development Director, graduated in May from the Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI), an intensive, three-month training program designed for rural community leaders. Rural Center President Patrick Woodie presented certificates to the program’s 31 graduates during a ceremony at the NC Rural Center.
For 27 years, REDI has helped rural leaders improve their leadership skills and increase their knowledge of economic and community development strategies, equipping them with the tools they need to tackle the issues facing their rural communities.
This year’s class participants included elected officials, economic development professionals, business owners, and civic leaders. More than 1,100 rural leaders have graduated from REDI since the program began in 1989.
Cover Photo By: York Wilson
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Harry-Mills-Graduates-from-REDI.jpg280453WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2017-06-13 15:39:432017-06-13 15:43:46Harry Mills Graduates from REDI
The 2017 graduates of Granville County Public schools participated in the final ceremonies this past Saturday under beautiful blue skies and a warm spring breeze. More than 540 students graduated from our five high schools, with thousands of supportive parents, relatives, friends and community members on hand to help celebrate the special milestone in a young person’s life.
This year’s graduating class was a particularly talented group, as evidenced by both the statistics and individual stories of success. This class of students earned more than $9.6 million dollars worth of scholarships – an all time record since the district has been tracking this information. More than 450, or 85% of the graduates were accepted into and plan to attend a 2 or 4 year college or university or proudly pledged to enroll in the armed services, and 10% had already secured employment. Several students were accepted to prestigious universities, as well as every single UNC institution of higher education.
Many student athletes were awarded substantial scholarships in various sports, including track, volleyball, softball, and even bowling! Other students received large academic scholarships, including ‘full-rides’ to NCSU, UNCG, Wingate, Peace and Winston-Salem. Future plans of the graduates span the entire spectrum, including students entering the fields of engineering, pre-med, Biochemistry, and Business. Others made plans for careers nursing, radiology, veterinary science, and agriculture. Several students will begin pursuing degrees in welding, with job offers already on the table. Other outliers include pilot’s school, cosmetology, and flight attendant’s school.
Regardless of the immediate next steps in these graduates’ plans, it is clear that Granville County Public Schools has helped prepare this talented group of young citizens for whatever lies ahead. Our community should be extremely proud of them, and feel confident that the next generation of citizens and community members will be well represented.
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Dr. Stan Winborne
Director of High Schools
Director of Career & Technical Education Program
Public Information Officer
Granville County Schools
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/540-Graduate-from-Granville-County-Public-Schools-earning-9.6-Million-in-Scholarships.jpg280453WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2017-06-12 15:41:332017-06-12 15:42:56540 Graduate from Granville County Public Schools earning 9.6 Million in Scholarships
On a very hot day in August of 2013 parents and students spent the morning opening crates, putting together desks and chairs, cleaning floors and moving white boards. Later that SAME afternoon, Oxford Preparatory School opened its doors for the first time to welcome students. For the first three years of the school’s existence, students attended classes in mobile units. Each year the story of OPS has unfolded as new students and their families have joined together to grow the school. On Saturday, June 10 OPS realized a dream as they conducted their inaugural commencement ceremony.
In the presence of over 500 guests, 43 Oxford Prep students received their high school diplomas. Students in this class have successfully completed over 640 college credit hours through AP coursework/testing and the partnership with Vance Granville’s CCP program and many are entering college as sophomores. Over 86% of the class have been accepted into four year colleges. Students have committed to attending UNC-CH, NCSU, UNC-W, UNC-C, ECU, Appalachian, University of Denver, University of South Carolina, Campbell, Barton, A&T, Belmont-Abbey, UNC-Greensboro and others. Students have given more than a thousand hours of service back to the communities around us in addition to being part of conference championship teams in golf, baseball and men’s cross country.
After musical selection by the orchestra under the leadership of Director Jason Pulley and the performance of Omnia Sol (Let Your Heart be Staid) by the concert choir led by director Sarah Stallsmith, Jaylen Edwards, daughter of Billie Culbreath of Oxford, was chosen to speak by the teaching staff as the representative of the Spirit of the Griffin – someone who is dedicated to reaching farther than they thought they could, giving tirelessly back to the community, taking on leadership roles in a variety of ways and supporting the school at all times. She spoke about the beginning of the school and then reflected on all she had gained, including earning enough hours to enter UNC-G in the fall as a second semester sophomore in the fall, by being a part of the beginning of OPS.
Five students graduated Summa cum Laude including Morgan Daniels, Jackson Grissom, Rachel Sanya, Molly Stock and Hunter Strickland. To receive Summa cum Laude status students were required to maintain a GPA greater than 4.5. Students from this group chose Jackson Grissom, son of David and Alex Grissom, to represent them as someone who has demonstrated excellence in all that he does and who has attained high levels of academic achievement, service and leadership. Jackson, who will be a part of the honors college at Appalachian in the fall, brought his sense of humor to the audience as he reminisced about rising from the trailers, having to work through really hard classes including those at VGCC, making new friends, listening to lectures both inside AND outside of the classroom, beginning traditions and leaving a legacy for others to enjoy.
Acknowledging that all students had taken at least one college level course, completed more than 27 credits including at least 4 science and 3 foreign language courses, and had given a minimum of 15 service hours per year, Executive Director and school founder Andrew Swanner presented 43 candidates for degrees to Chairman of the Board, Kim Hicks. Assisted by Chief Marshal Catherine Stallsmith and Marshal Whitt Daniel, students were presented with diplomas.
The new Griffin alma mater, “Griffins Rise,” composed as a senior fine arts project by Katherine Redman, Class of 2018, was then performed by the OPS Concert Chorus and accompanied by the composer. In the lyrics Ms. Redman urges students to “Rise, Griffins, Rise. Even if it’s hard to try. A lion’s heart and eagle’s wings cloaked in knowledge and in dreams soar on high and Arise and you’ll see that you can fly.”
On Saturday afternoon 43 Griffins proved that they indeed could rise and fly. Assistant Director Victoria Bradsher closed the ceremony by presenting the first group of OPS alumni to the audience and noted that they are now ready to fly off to new beginnings.
