VGCC names two educators to leadership roles

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via Andrew Beal

Along with the start of the fall semester at Vance-Granville Community College came new leaders for two academic programs.

William Clements of Raleigh became the new Program Head/Instructor for Criminal Justice Technology, while Faith Harris of Norlina, a Computer Education instructor, was promoted to the position of Program Head of Computer Education.

Clements came to VGCC from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in Douglas, Ga., where he had been a Criminal Justice instructor since 2011. Previously, he worked in the correctional systems of both Georgia and North Carolina, as an educator, counselor and probation officer. Clements earned a bachelor’s degree in justice studies at Georgia Southern University and a master’s in forensic psychology at Walden University. He is currently continuing his studies at Walden to earn a doctoral degree in public administration.

The VGCC Criminal Justice associate degree program prepares students for careers in the local, state, and federal law enforcement, corrections, and security fields. Emphasis is on criminal justice systems, criminology, juvenile justice, criminal and constitutional law, investigative principles, ethics and community relations. Additional study may include issues and concepts of government, counseling, communications, computers and technology. VGCC also offers a certificate in Criminal Justice & Special Populations. For more information, contact Clements at clementsw@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3242.

Harris has been a community college instructor for the past 15 years, including service on the faculty at VGCC and at Piedmont Community College. She is also a graduate of VGCC, where she earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Computer Programming. Harris went on to complete a bachelor’s degree at Barton College and a master’s degree in Information Systems Security at Colorado Technical University. Before becoming an educator, Harris spent many years in management at Roses Stores. At VGCC, she has administered the Microsoft IT Academy program that allows students to earn a number of different industry-recognized certifications.

The Computer Education department provides instruction for students enrolled in virtually any program at VGCC, and offers the associate degree in Computer Technology Integration (with tracks in IT Support, Networking & Security Technologies, and Web Design & Support). VGCC also offers a degree in Simulation & Game Development in partnership with Wake Technical Community College. For more information, contact Harris at harrisf@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3235.

“We look forward to continuing to grow and develop the Criminal Justice and Computer Education programs under the leadership of William and Faith, who bring experience and enthusiasm to their students,” said Angela Gardner-Ragland, VGCC’s dean of business and applied technologies. “Their excellent programs provide students with the skills they need to succeed in career fields that are in constant demand, both locally and around the world.”

Aycock School News Broadcast

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Near and dear to our hearts here at WIZS is a good news broadcast, just another reason its so much fun to tell you about this!

Students and staff members at Aycock Elementary School receive important information about their school each Friday morning through the “Aycock News” television broadcast.

The approximately 10-minute broadcast, seen on televisions stationed in classrooms and other locations throughout the school, features students in grades 2-5 who serve as the news anchors and additional reporters who share information about the week’s weather forecast, the breakfast and lunch menus for the coming week and important announcements about upcoming events.

Aycock News

The broadcasts are done each Friday shortly after 8 a.m. and are led by Edward Ortega and Erika Barnett, both Aycock faculty members, who use lots of technology and hands-on direction with the students to complete each program. Ortega serves as the production manager for each broadcast. He sits at a table in front of a laptop computer and controls the sound and two cameras which depict the students at two separate stations. Each of the stations has a green screen serving as a background for the students. Ortega uses computer software to provide a variety of background images on the green screens. Two additional laptops are used to display the scripts and production schedule for the broadcast.

For the broadcast on October 9, Ortega had a red-white-and-blue U.S. Flag theme as the green screen background. The background was seen behind the two students who were the news anchors and the small groups of students who led everyone in “The Pledge of Allegiance” and students who reported the weather forecast, menus and school announcements. Barnett worked with the students to ensure that everyone was in the right place when it was time for them to be on camera.

The October 9 broadcast was special, because it featured brief speeches by students who were seeking officer positions on the school’s newly established Student Council. They gave their speeches and were scheduled to have their names on the ballots during Student Council elections on October 14.

The broadcast concluded with a few words from Squeaky, a hand puppet controlled by Barnett with a disguised voice from Ortega. Squeaky urged everyone to have a “Super Duper Day!”

Vance Principal of the Year

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Heddie Somerville, the principal at Pinkston Street Elementary School for the past four years, has been selected as the 2015-2016 Vance County Schools’ Principal of the Year.

She was chosen for the honor after interviews were conducted by a special selection committee.

Somerville 1

Mrs. Somerville is receiving the prestigious award after leading Pinkston Street Elementary to success in the 2014-2015 school year that saw students have some of the highest growth in reading and mathematics in the school district. The school also met state growth standards and increased its School Performance Grade by one grade. The school’s third-grade N.C. Read to Achieve scores also showed substantial improvement with student proficiency rising to 84 percent from 68 percent the previous year.

Mrs. Somerville has worked at Pinkston Street Elementary School her entire educational career over the last 23 years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.

She is described by Jo Tyler, a member of the Pinkston Street faculty who nominated her for the honor, as a knowledgeable and proficient leader.

“Under her leadership, our school has been recognized for many accomplishments,” Tyler wrote. “She has insight, excellent organizational skills, an in-depth grasp of the curriculum and has worked diligently establishing relationships on all levels . . . She unselfishly gives in innumerable ways and her extreme gift of building relationships with and improving the lives of others (students, parents, staff, colleagues; most everyone she comes in contact with) has made her a great leader.”

Mrs. Somerville earned the Principal of the Year award as a fellow nominee among an outstanding field of educational leaders. Other Principal of the Year nominees and their schools include:

  • Kristen Boyd of Aycock Elementary School
  • Dr. John Hargrove of Henderson Middle School
  • Marylaura McKoon of E.O. Young Jr. Elementary School
  • Dr. Michael Putney of Dabney Elementary School
  • Dr. Harold Thompson of New Hope Elementary School
  • Dr. Larry Webb of Northern Vance High School
Mrs. Somerville was surprised by a presentation to announce her recognition October 9 at her school.  Congratulations to Mrs. Somerville and all of her fellow nominees!

Small Business Summit and Expo to be held October 20 at Warren County Armory

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via Andrew Beal

The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center has announced the complete lineup of presenters for the fourth annual Small Business Summit and Expo, which will be held Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Warren County Armory Civic Center in Warrenton.

The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, the Warren County Economic Development Commission, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Warren County Center, and the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center are partnering with the college to organize the event, which has the theme, “Weaving the Fabric of a Thriving Economy.” CenturyLink is the presenting sponsor. Other co-sponsors are Halifax Electric Membership Corporation, The Warren Record, Hundley’s Greenhouses, Inc., The Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer, 1450 AM WIZS, the Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, The Daily Dispatch and WARR.

The summit kicks off with a keynote address during lunch by Susan E. Harris, owner of Quilt Lizzy in Warrenton. Her discussion is entitled “Why Your Small Town is a Great Place to Do Business.”

For the rest of the afternoon, attendees can choose from among several breakout sessions being held simultaneously.

During Session 1, from 1:15 until 2:15 p.m., the choices are: “Creative Opportunities for Arts and Crafts Businesses in the Community” with professional artist and educator Theresa Brown; “Making Your Business Model Work in a Small Town” with Warrenton town manager Robert Davie; and “Turning Your Passion Into a Business” with Adam Fields, owner of AF Wake & Wakeboard World Champion.

Session 2, from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m., offers these options: “Farm to Fork Enterprise” with Crystal Smith and Paul McKenzie of N.C. Cooperative Extension and Gabe Cummings of Warren FoodWorks; “Emerging Consumer Markets for Agriculture” with Debbie Hamrick, Director of Specialty Crops for the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation; and “Social Media: The Black Hole” with Dave Blodgett of Buggs Media.

For the third and final session (3:45 until 4:45 p.m.), attendees will select either “Financing Opportunities for Small Businesses” with Barry Ryan of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center and Lou Grillo of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments; “USDA Loans & Grants Program” with Rhonda Pope, USDA Farm Service Agency’s Strike Force Coordinator and County Executive Director at large, Michelle Winslow, Dock Jones and Rob Satterfield, all of USDA/Farm Service Agency, and Lyn Millhiser of USDA/Rural Development; or “Social Media: The Black Hole” with Dave Blodgett of Buggs Media.

Between breakout sessions, attendees can browse through booths set up by representatives of various resources for small businesses. These include CenturyLink, Carter Bank & Trust, Ag Carolina Farm Credit, N.C. Rural Center, North Carolina Cooperative Extension – Warren County, Warren County Economic Development Commission, USDA, Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments, Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, Vance-Granville Community College, Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center, Halifax Electric Membership Corporation, North Carolina Farm Bureau, North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development, The Daily Dispatch, WARR, and The Warren County Chamber of Commerce.

The purpose of the Small Business Summit and Expo is to engage, empower and enrich participants to help make their small businesses more successful. “We welcome all aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners, and non-profit leaders to participate in this inspirational, educational and motivational experience with us,” said Tanya Weary, director of the VGCC Small Business Center.

Lunch is provided free of charge by CenturyLink to the first 50 registered participants. After that point, lunch is $10.

For more information, call Tanya Weary at (252) 738-3240 or e-mail her at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.

VGCC Ambassadors Announced

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Vance-Granville Community College has selected 13 outstanding students to serve as ambassadors during the 2015-2016 school year. Ambassadors represent the college at special campus and community functions, among other duties.

This year’s ambassadors include Dianna DeWeese of Creedmoor (Accounting and Business Administration), who serves as lead ambassador; Emory Gant-Hawkins of Henderson (Culinary Arts); Joy Herndon of Henderson (College Transfer/Vance County Early College High School);  Tonya Parrish of Henderson (Radiography); Shane O’Malley of Inez (College Transfer/Warren Early College High School); Ambrianna Winston of Manson (Office Administration); Daniel Davis of Norlina (College Transfer/Warren Early College High School); Erica Medlin of Oxford (Associate Degree Nursing); Cadeema Scotland of Oxford (Accounting and Business Administration); Francis Scotland of Oxford (College Transfer); Michael Frink of Raleigh (College Transfer); Kathy Conant of Wake Forest (Medical Office Administration); and Adam Rooker of Wise (Criminal Justice).

VGCC Ambassadors 2015-16

To qualify as an Ambassador, a student must have attended VGCC for one year and have achieved a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average. Each nominee undergoes committee interviews.

The Vance-Granville Community College student ambassadors for 2015-2016 include, in front, from left: Shane O’Malley, Daniel Davis, Adam Rooker, Joy Herndon and Cadeema Scotland; in back, from left: Francis Scotland, Dianna DeWeese, Emory Gant-Hawkins, Tonya Parrish and Michael Frink; not pictured: Kathy Conant, Erica Medlin and Ambrianna Winston.

Ambassadors receive special training through workshops covering leadership, motivation, hospitality and etiquette. In order for them to be helpful and responsive to visitors, they receive instruction in the college’s history, programs and services. Their duties include serving as guides or hosts and hostesses at events such as commencement, orientation for new students, scholarship awards ceremonies, college-sponsored concerts and activities at the Civic Center, and the annual Career Day. For their services to the college, ambassadors receive a scholarship.

For more information about becoming a student ambassador, call Kay Currin at (252) 738-3409.

EJMS and Zeb Vance Principals

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The Vance County Board of Education Monday night approved Dr. Brad Jones as the new principal at Eaton-Johnson Middle School and Mr. Kristian Herring as the new principal at Zeb Vance Elementary School.

Jones and Herring will begin their new duties on October 1.

Jones has been the principal at Cedar Grove Elementary School in Nash County since July 2012. He also served as a middle school principal at Rocky Mount Preparatory School from July 2010 to June 2012. Prior to holding that position, he was a middle school assistant principal in Alamance-Burlington and Halifax County schools. He began his career in 1999 as a high school social studies teacher. Jones has taught in Johnston, Wake, Edgecombe, Caswell and Vance county schools. He received a doctorate of education degree in 2015 from N.C. State University, a master’s degree in school administration in 2005 from East Carolina University and a bachelor’s of science degree in history in 1999 from East Carolina University.

Herring most recently has served as the interim principal and assistant principal at Red Oak Middle School in Nash County. Additional experience includes assistant principal’s positions at G.W. Bulluck Elementary School, West Edgecombe Middle School and Southwest Edgecombe High School, all in Edgecombe County. He began a career in education in August of 2005 as a choral music educator in Wilson County and then in Edgecombe County schools. Herring received a master’s degree in school administration in May of 2011 from East Carolina University, an associate in applied science degree in paralegal technology in May 2004 from Wilson Community College and a bachelor of arts degree in sociology in December of 2002 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

New statewide agreement helps VGCC students transfer to private schools

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Vance-Granville Community College students will enjoy clearer pathways to completing a four-year degree, thanks to a new Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) between the N.C. Community College System and the N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities.

Approximately 2,000 community college students transfer to one of North Carolina’s 36 independent higher education institutions each year. VGCC’s highly-regarded College Transfer program provides students with the first two years of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. College Transfer courses are offered at all four VGCC campuses and online.

On Aug. 27, Dr. R. Scott Ralls, the president of North Carolina’s system of 58 community colleges, and Dr. A. Hope Williams, the president of NCICU, signed the revised ICAA at William Peace University, one of the 22 private colleges and universities that have agreed to the standards of the new transfer plan.

The agreement better defines transfer options for students between the two systems, saving North Carolinians money and potentially shortening the time to bachelor’s degree completion.

“This signing, joined with our revised agreement with the UNC system in 2014, brings North Carolina’s higher education alignment to a new level,” said Dr. Ralls. “It means increased access and opportunity for our community college students and clearly defined pathways to success at both public and private higher education institutions in our state. I commend the NC Independent Colleges and Universities for proactively working toward this agreement for the benefit of both systems’ students and their families.”

The ultimate goal of the ICAA is to help a student transfer credits from a community college to an NCICU institution with minimal loss of credit or repetition of work.

The ICAA moves community college students toward their four-year degree goals by clearly defining transfer pathways and how earned credit hours fit into the requirements of signatory institutions. The ICAA:

  • Identifies foundational courses that will transfer to all signatory institutions to meet general education requirements;
  • Improves the success of transferring students through required coursework that ensures students will map their academic pathway to the desired independent institution; and
  • Encourages community college students to complete an Associate in Arts (AA) or an Associate in Science (AS) degree before transferring by guaranteeing entry as juniors with full transfer credit.

In 2014, the State Board of Community Colleges and the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina system signed a similarly revised agreement, updating guidelines that have saved students and families both time and money, and that have stretched taxpayer-funded dollars. The ICAA is consistent with the University of North Carolina system agreement, meaning students will have the same transfer guarantees regardless of the type of senior institution in the state they attend.

In addition to the two comprehensive system-wide agreements, VGCC also has several bilateral articulation agreements with four-year schools (both public and private) that allow students to transfer credits in specific programs.

“This strengthened partnership between North Carolina’s public and private educational institutions is good news for Vance-Granville students, who will be able to achieve professional and personal success by completing a bachelor’s degree, in less time and at a lower cost,” said Dr. Angela Ballentine, VGCC Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs.

The revised ICAA, updated from the previous articulation agreement signed in 2007, is effective for new college transfer students in the fall of 2015 at the signatory colleges and universities.

The institutions that have signed onto the new agreement thus far include: Barton College, Belmont Abbey College, Bennett College, Brevard College, Campbell University, Chowan University, Guilford College, Lees-McRae College, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Livingstone College, Mars Hill University, Meredith College, Methodist University, Montreat College, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Pfeiffer University, Salem College, Shaw University, St. Andrews University, University of Mount Olive, William Peace University and Wingate University.