VGCC Biotech Students Participate in Virtual Career Fair

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Students studying biotechnology at Vance-Granville Community College recently joined their counterparts from a handful of other colleges in a career fair that was tailor-made for the current state of social distancing and video-conferencing. 

On May 14, nine VGCC Bioprocess students participated – from their homes – in the first in a planned series of Virtual Career Fairs organized by the BioNetwork, part of the N.C. Community College System. Representatives of several North Carolina biopharmaceutical companies talked with students, including Biogen, Catalent, KBI, Guerbet, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer and Seqirus, along with staffing agencies like Adecco, Manpower and Spectraforce. 

“This innovative event represented an outstanding partnership of Vance-Granville staff, the BioNetwork and the private sector,” said Stewart Lyon, who heads VGCC’s Biotech programs, based at the college’s Franklin County Campus. “Although the full results are still being tabulated, we know that our students were able to speak with an average of six employers during the event, and one student spoke with 13 potential employers!  Some participants have also confirmed that they have received invitations to formal job interviews from the event.”

VGCC not only made this opportunity available to students but also helped prepare them ahead of time, so they could present themselves in the best professional light. Lyon, VGCC Director of Career Services Linda Fletcher and BioNetwork staff all helped review the students’ resumes before the event. In fact, having an “approved” resume was a requirement for students to participate. Lyon and Fletcher continue to offer such services to students, to help them secure good jobs after they complete their studies. 

Enrollment for the Fall 2020 semester is going on now for the Bioprocess Technology program. VGCC offers a Bioprocess Technology certificate, which can be completed in as little as six months (combining online coursework with labs meeting only once per week); a diploma program, which takes about one year, and the two-year Associate in Applied Science degree. All these options are eligible for federal financial aid to qualified students. 

Lyon also points out that students have options to continue their education beyond VGCC, particularly through new transfer opportunities. Students seeking four-year degrees can transfer to North Carolina Central University and East Carolina University through special articulation agreements.

For more information on VGCC’s biotech programs, contact Mr. Lyon at lyons@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3632.

Prospective students are also encouraged to check the college website, www.vgcc.edu, and the Facebook page – facebook.com/vancegranville – this summer for announcements on upcoming Biotech information sessions.

Dr. Andrea Harris

In Memory of Dr. Andrea Harris, Local Resident and NC Women & Minority Economic Developer

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-Obituary and photo courtesy Davis-Royster Funeral Service

Dr. Andrea Lynnette Harris, 71, of West Rockspring Street, Henderson, died May 20, 2020, at Duke Raleigh Medical Center in Raleigh. She was born in Sumter, SC to the late Al Harris, Sr. and Geneva Smith Harris.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. No public services will be held at this time.

She is survived by two nieces: Alana and Omara Harris; and one great-niece, Lourdes Harris, along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Arrangements are by Davis-Royster Funeral Service: https://www.davis-royster.com/obituaries/Dr-Andrea-Lynnette-Harris?obId=14048441#/celebrationWall

Dr. Andrea Harris, Henderson resident and NC Women & Minority Economic Developer, died May 20, 2020. (Photo courtesy Davis-Royster Funeral Service)

Congressman G. K. Butterfield issued the following statement on Harris:

“Andrea Harris lived a life of passion, humility and unwavering dedication to breaking barriers and blazing trails for the economic advancement of minority groups. From being the youngest community agency director in the nation at age 23 to serving as Co-founder of the Senior Fellow of the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development in Durham, NC; Andrea dedicated her life’s work to the imperative economic principle that prosperity must be shared and never isolated.”

“Though she was the recipient of many awards and recognitions for her work in business and leadership—above all, Andrea Harris is beautifully adorned by the doors that she has opened, the opportunities that she has fostered and the lasting impact she has made on individuals, businesses and minority communities in North Carolina. Her legacy continues to challenge us all to be better, to speak up, to make our voices heard and our purpose clear. Andrea was my personal friend for more than 40 years, and I extend my sincerest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce President Michele Burgess said Harris will be remembered as a trailblazer for historically underutilized businesses and for her work with civil rights. She was serving as a member of the Vance County Economic Development Commission Board and was on the Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees.

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington had these kind words: “Today we remember one of the brightest lights of our time. A brilliant champion for all people, a fierce friend and truly a phenomenal lady. Like so many others, we cherish the time we were privileged to share with Andrea Harris. With a strong word she had the ability to remind us what was truly important. I recall the words of Maya Angelou, ‘No sun outlasts its sunset, but will rise again, and bring the dawn.’”

Yesterday, NC Governor Roy Cooper honored Harris’ many accomplishments by ordering all North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Saturday, May 23.

Vance-Granville Community College Holds Virtual ADN Pinning Ceremony

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

A virtual pinning ceremony was held using Zoom on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at 6 p.m., for the Vance-Granville Community College Associate Degree Nursing Class of 2020. 

The family and friends of the 43 graduates were sent a link to the Zoom session so that they could watch the pinning ceremony, which opened with welcoming reflections from Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC Vice President of Learning, Student Engagement & Success/Chief Academic Officer; Dr. Anna Seaman, VGCC Associate Degree Nursing Program Head; and Henrry Rebollar-Miguel, class president.

Dr. Seaman noted that 2020 is the ‘Year of the Nurse’ and that no one could have imagined what this year would actually mean for Nursing. She noted that these graduates would soon put on their ‘superhero costumes’ and enter into the workforce.

Jamie Davis, VGCC Nursing instructor, presented cords to students who participated in the VGCC Student Nurses Association, which is a chapter of the National Student Nurses Association.

Maggie King-Harris, VGCC Nursing instructor, recognized those students graduating with honors (a GPA of 3.5 or higher). Those recognized include Reuben Aluoch; Jessica Baker; Susan Carr; Michelle Harris-Evans; and Stephanie Parham. Raine Tucker-Smith was recognized as the graduate with the highest GPA in the class.

Brande McILroy shared the story of the VGCC Nursing Pin and graduates were then ‘handed’ their pin virtually by Dr. Seaman. As each graduate received their pin, they shared where they planned to work; their plans for continuing their education; and their appreciation to family, friends and faculty for their support during their time in school. 

After receiving their pins, the graduates recited the Nursing Pledge (written by Beverly Hansen O’Malley, RN) with Vanessa Ramseur, VGCC Nursing Instructor. Ugur Celimli, VGCC Nursing Instructor, presented the class as official graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing Class of 2020. 

Even though the ceremony was not able to be held on the VGCC campus, as traditionally done, the graduates remarked that it was still a meaningful and memorable way to mark the end of their nursing school journey at VGCC.

The graduates are:

From Henderson: Bridget Eaton, Cassidy Ivey, Cayla Ranes

From Oxford: Tammie Davis, Taneisha Jordan, Erica Thorpe, Hannah Tuck

From Creedmoor: Eunice Ayaa, Caliegh Katz

From Louisburg: Brittany Sullivan, Shanika Upchurch

From Rolesville: Raine Tucker-Smith

From Zebulon: Joshua Miller

From Raleigh: Aniekan Akpan, Reuben Aluoch, Elizabeth Kenney, Dennis Mutisya, Andrew Zambrano

From Durham: Charles Ngeve, Annah Ongeri, Abigail Rodriguez, Solange Tant, Hser Tha

From Franklinton: Henrry Reboccar-Miguel

From Holly Springs: Irene Solomon

From Apex: Rebekah Speed 

From Wake Forest: Jessica Baker, Christopher Ellis, Anne Onsomu

From Macon: Tracey Brown

From Bullock: Brittany Buchanan

From Rougemont: Susan Carr, Branice Chogo, Cherrie Satterfield

From Hollister: Tiara Daniel

From Youngsville: Patrisha Ferrick, Michelle Harris-Evans, Sheniqua Pruden, Wyverta Rawls

From Kittrell: Diedre Joyner, Stephanie Parham, Rachel Spall 

From Norlina: Chiatyra Turner

In lieu of the class picture that is normally taken before the ceremony, graduates were asked to submit personal photos to be used in making a class collage that will be posted on the VGCC website.

VGCC ADN Pinning

Pictured from left: Reuben Aluoch; Eunice Ayaa; Jessica Baker; Tracey Brown; Brittany Buchanan; Susan Carr; Branice Chogo; Tiara Daniel; Tammie Davis; Bridget Eaton; Christopher Ellis; Michelle Harris-Evans; Patrisha Ferrick; Cassidy Ivey; Taneisha Jordan; Deidre Joyner; Caliegh Katz; Elizabeth Kenney; Shanika UpChurch-McBride and Henrry Rebollar-Miguel.

VGCC ADN Pinning

Pictured from left: Charles Ngeve; Annah Ongeri; Anne Onsomu; Stephanie Parham; Sheniqua Pruden; Cayla Raynes; Wyverta Rawls; Abigail Rodreguiz; Cherrie Satterfield; Raine Tucker-Smith; Irene Solomon; Rebekah Speed; Solange Tant; Hser Tha; Erica Thorpe; Hannah Tuck; Chiatrya Turner and Andrew Zambrano.

Not Pictured in either collage — Aniekan Akpan, Jr.; Joshua Miller; Dennis Mutisya; Rachel Spall, and Brittany Sullivan.

VGCC Nursing Chair Erica Jastrow Earns Doctorate

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Erica Jastrow, Vance-Granville Community College’s department chair of Nursing, received a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education Leadership from Arizona-based Grand Canyon University. Jastrow is a resident of Oxford. 

Erica Jastrow, VGCC’s department chair of Nursing, received a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education Leadership from Arizona-based Grand Canyon University. (Photo courtesy VGCC)

“We congratulate Dr. Jastrow on this milestone in her life, and we applaud Erica’s commitment to professional development,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president. “Erica’s education will allow her to continue to grow as a leader in higher education and provide services that help our students.”

Jastrow has taught at VGCC since 2004 and became head of the Nursing department in 2011. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Lenoir-Rhyne University and later completed a master’s degree in Nursing Education at UNC-Greensboro. As a longtime Registered Nurse, Jastrow has experience in Intensive Care Units and Nursing Supervision in local and teaching hospitals. 

In 2013, Jastrow became a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) through the National League for Nursing (NLN). She was one of the first three VGCC Nursing faculty to become certified through this program.

In 2014, she completed the Department Chairs Institute offered by the N.C. Community College System, in collaboration with N.C. State University. Jastrow is a past recipient of the VGCC President’s Leadership Award.

NCDHHS

Measures Expanded to Prevent, Respond to COVID-19 in Long-term Care Facilities

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-Press Release, NCDHHS

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is taking further action to prevent and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities. All long-term care facilities in the state will receive personal protective equipment (PPE) packs of needed supplies, and facilities will receive a limited increased rate for some Medicaid services to support infection prevention and management.

“We have a team dedicated to supporting our long-term care facilities as they protect our aging family members and loved ones who require round-the-clock care and the staff who care for them,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “We want to help them do all that they can because once an outbreak occurs in a congregate living setting, it can be difficult to prevent the spread of the virus.”

PPE packs will go to more than 3,000 state-licensed long-term care facilities and include a fourteen-day supply of face shields, procedure masks, gloves and shoe covers. Adult care homes, family care homes, nursing homes, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health facilities will receive supplies. NCDHHS is partnering with North Carolina Emergency Management and the National Guard to deliver the packs at local distribution centers.

In addition to the PPE distribution, NCDHHS is providing a time-limited Medicaid rate increase for nursing facility services such as skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. The increase is intended to support strengthening infection prevention and management capacities with technical support from NCDHHS. The increase will also apply to personal care assistance and home health services to help providers who support people being able to stay at home where there is less risk of exposure.

NCDHHS also released updated testing guidance to clinicians that recommends testing people who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings such as long-term care facilities.

These actions build on earlier measures North Carolina has taken to protect residents and staff in long-term facilities. Previous actions include:

  • Issuing Executive Order 130, which codified public health and safety requirements for nursing homes, including requiring staff to wear surgical masks, screenings for all staff and residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 daily and closing communal areas.
  • Conducting remote infection prevention and control consultation with skilled nursing and other long-term facilities across the state through a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the North Carolina Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology.
  • Providing targeted funding to support nursing homes and adult care homes to provide the more intensive care needed for residents with COVID-19 and limit the spread of the virus to other residents and staff.
  • Providing a toolkit to support long-term care facilities in preparing for and responding to COVID-19 outbreaks in their facility. The toolkit contains an infection control assessment, infection staffing worksheet, infection prevention educational resources and other tools.
  • Helping to fill staffing shortages in long-term care facilities and other health care facilities through a partnership with East Carolina University School of Nursing to match Registered Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants with facilities, particularly long-term care facilities, that are seeking to urgently hire staff for temporary, part-time or full-time roles. Interested health care employees can register at nc.readyop.com/fs/4cjq/697b.
  • Implementing several temporary regulatory changes to assist providers in caring for their residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, including adopting an emergency rule granting reciprocity to nurse aides certified in other states to work as nurse aides in North Carolina, and allowing facilities to exceed the number of licensed beds if needed to provide temporary shelter and services to adequately care for residents with COVID-19.
  • Providing virtual training for more than 2,000 staff working in long-term care sites. Trainings are available online at www.ncahec.net/covid-19/webinars.

For NCDHHS and CDC guidance for long-term care facilities, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/guidance#long-term-care-facilities. A list of congregate care settings with outbreaks is available on the NCDHHS COVID-19 Dashboard.

NCDHHS

NCDHHS Updates Guidance on Who Should be Tested for COVID-19

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-Press Release, NCDHHS

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued updated guidance on who should be tested for COVID-19. The new guidance recommends that clinicians test any patient in whom COVID-19 is suspected.

The new guidance recommends clinicians ensure the following populations have access to testing, regardless of symptoms:

  • Anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19
  • Close contacts of known positive cases, regardless of symptoms
  • Persons who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings (e.g., long-term care facility, homeless shelter, correctional facility, migrant farmworker camp)
  • Persons who are at high risk of severe illness (e.g., people over 65 years of age, people of any age with underlying health conditions)
  • Persons who come from historically marginalized populations
  • Health care workers or first responders (e.g. EMS, law enforcement, fire department, military)
  • Front-line and essential workers (grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, etc.) in settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain

“We want anyone who needs a test to get one. This is particularly important for those at high-risk for severe illness, those at greatest risk for exposure and those who are being disproportionately impacted by this virus,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D.

Testing, along with contact tracing and supplies of personal protective equipment, is part of the state’s strategy to slowly ease restrictions, while protecting North Carolinians from COVID-19. The state is looking at a composite of metrics to guide its path forward, including the number of cases, the percent of tests that are positive, the number of hospitalizations and the number of emergency department visits for COVID-like illness. Last week, Governor Roy Cooper and NCDHHS Secretary Cohen shared these metrics remain stable for the first week of Phase 1.

The new guidance updates testing criteria for the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health. Those include hospitalized patients, health care workers or first responders, persons who live in or have regular contact with a high-risk setting, persons who are at higher risk of severe illness and for whom a clinician has determined that results would inform clinical management, and uninsured patients.

Staying home is still the best way to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect North Carolinians. When going out, remember the 3 Ws. Wear a face covering. Wait at least six feet apart. Wash your hands often with soap and water.

For information on the North Carolina COVID-19 response across state government, visit nc.gov/covid19.

VGCC Truck Driver Training Program Gears Back Up

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College is excited to announce that its CDL Truck Driver Training Program is back up and running.

The program, offered in collaboration with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, has been on hold since early March when the COVID-19 pandemic forced all face-to-face classes to cease. The N.C. Community College System has made an exception to allow colleges to resume educating students in transportation courses like Truck Driver Training, in-person.

On May 11, students returned to class and to a “new normal.” Portions of the new daily routine for students include temperature checks, face masks, social distancing in trucks and on the truck practice range.   

“Qualified and licensed truck drivers are essential employees, especially during these uncertain times,” said Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Continuing Education and College and Career Readiness for VGCC. “We are excited to get the students back in training, so they can become licensed and employed with companies who need drivers to move goods and services across our service area and across the country.” 

During the next five weeks, students will continue honing their driver training skills such as backing skills, completing pre-trip inspections and backing up to a loading dock. Students will also continue to get their miles and time on the road. All of these skills and requirements are essential in preparing them for the DOT exam in order to get their official CDL-A license and be fully employable as a truck driver. 

For more information on the Truck Driver Training Program at Vance-Granville Community College, please visit www.vgcc.edu/cdl/ or contact Kyle Burwell, Director of Occupational Extension, at 252-738-3276 or burwellk@vgcc.edu.

VGCC Vice President Earns Doctoral Degree

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Jerry E. Edmonds, III, the Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Engagement at Vance-Granville Community College, is now “Doctor Edmonds.” He recently received his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Educational Leadership from Wisconsin-based Edgewood College.

His doctoral dissertation was entitled, “How North Carolina Economic Development Leaders Perceive the N.C. Community College System and Rural Economic Development.”

Jerry E. Edmonds, III, the Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Engagement at Vance-Granville Community College, recently received his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Educational Leadership from Wisconsin-based Edgewood College. (VGCC photo)

“We congratulate Dr. Edmonds on his academic accomplishments, and we look forward to his continuing leadership in efforts to help our students and our local employers through job training and continuing education,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president. “He is a role model for our students, many of whom are also training and learning to grow as professionals while working full-time.”

A resident of Henderson, Edmonds joined VGCC in 2019. He oversees training programs that respond to community needs and prepare students for workforce success, including apprenticeship programs, and economic development support for the region.

In addition, Edmonds leads the development of partnerships with businesses and government agencies and coordinates outreach and marketing for the entire college.

Edmonds previously served as Dean of Workforce and Economic Development at Halifax Community College. Prior to his role as Dean, he served as the Small Business Center Director at Halifax Community College, from 2014 until 2017.

Edmonds worked for International Business Machines (IBM) and Johnson and Johnson in the private sector before entering the higher education field, earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with an emphasis on Marketing, from Marshall University in 1985 and his Master of Science degree in Human Services Management from Springfield College in 2001.

Warren Co. Coop. Extension to Host Equine Pasture Management Webinar

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-Information courtesy Warren County Cooperative Extension

Warren County Cooperative Extension will host an Equine Pasture Management Webinar with Dr. Paul Siciliano from North Carolina State University on Thursday, June 18, 2020, at 10 a.m.

To register for this free event, go to warrencountyequine.eventbrite.com.

Once registered, the link to the webinar will be emailed to you.

United Way Awards $6,100 in Grants to Local Charitable Organizations

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-Information courtesy United Way of Vance County

The United Way of Vance County has awarded $6,100 in grants to local charitable organizations to assist needy families in Vance and Warren counties with food insecurities.

The grant funding was made possible with contributions to our United Way from corporations that serve our area.

With the corporate contributions, our United Way established a COVID-19 Relief Fund to provide grants to local nonprofits to assist families in need, with a special focus on providing the families with food.

The corporate contributions were received from Duke Energy, Truist Bank (formerly BB&T) and Vulcan Materials Company.

The United Way of Vance County Board of Directors reviewed submitted applications for the grant funds and awarded monies to Area Christians Together in Service (ACTS) in Henderson, Life Life Outreach Inc. in Henderson, and Loaves & Fishes Food Ministry in Warrenton. These three outstanding charitable organizations are using the funds to supply families during the COVID-19 pandemic with necessary food items.

“Our United Way board of directors believe it is very important to support the needs of our community during this very difficult time,” said Terri Hedrick, treasurer of the organization. “We have been contacted by many families expressing a dire need for food. So, we knew immediately how we wanted to help once our United Way received the contributions.”

“We can’t thank the outstanding corporations enough for their amazing generosity to support our community and we are very glad to allocate the grant funds to ACTS, Life Line and Loaves & Fishes, which work tirelessly to meet the food needs of disadvantaged families on a regular basis.”

The United Way of Vance County continues to accept donations for families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those interested in contributing may do so on our website at unitedwayvance.org or by contacting the organization by email at unitedwayofvance@gmail.com.