Three national organizations recently recognized Vance-Granville Community College with high rankings for high-quality, affordable education, offered online or on-campus.
The Community for Accredited Online Schools (AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org), a leading resource for higher education and college accreditation information, recently released its national rankings for the 2016-2017 school year. The organization ranked VGCC as having the nation’s 34th Best Pharmacy Technician program as well as the nation’s 49th Best Beauty/Cosmetology program.
VGCC offers Cosmetology at all four of its campuses, while the Pharmacy Technology program is based on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Both programs have options for certain courses to be completed online or in hybrid formats combining online and traditional face-to-face instruction. The college offers certificate and diploma programs in Cosmetology, a Cosmetology Instructor certificate, along with both a diploma and a two-year associate degree in Pharmacy Technology.
“We wanted to highlight schools like Vance-Granville Community College, who are striving for excellence in education,” said Doug Jones, CEO and Founder of the California-based Community for Accredited Online Schools. “These colleges offer an exceptional educational experience, upholding rigorous accreditation standards and showing an overall commitment to maximizing student success.”
In order for colleges to qualify for the rankings, they must hold public or private not-for-profit status and carry institutional accreditation. Top schools are determined by using a value-based methodology that analyzes more than a dozen qualitative and quantitative data points.
Meanwhile, Nevada-based Affordable Colleges Online (AffordableCollegesOnline.org) has ranked VGCC as the 25th “Best Online College” in North Carolina for 2016-2017. The organization evaluated colleges and universities based on cost of tuition and fees, the percentage of full-time students receiving institutional financial aid, the number of online programs offered, and the student-to-teacher ratio. Affordable Colleges Online has distinguished its ranking scale by the use of Peer-Based Value, or PBV. The PBV score compares the cost of each program to the cost of similar programs with the same qualitative score. Earlier this year, AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org ranked VGCC as the top two-year college in North Carolina for online programs.
VGCC has expanded its online course offerings in recent years. In 2015, the college launched the VOLT (Vanguard Online Learning through Technology) initiative, primarily with working adults in mind. Through VOLT, five two-year degree programs are now offered 100-percent online — Associate in Arts (College Transfer), Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Medical Office Administration – Coding Specialist, and Global Logistics and Distribution Management Technology. In addition, students can take online courses in combination with traditional face-to-face courses to complete any VGCC degree program.
VOLT students enjoy several specific benefits, including priority registration and guaranteed course availability. They also have access to many online resources that are available to all VGCC students, such as library services, testing and the Bookstore. Courses offered through VOLT have the same low tuition as all other VGCC courses, making them more affordable than their counterparts at for-profit institutions. In addition, Duke Energy, a longtime corporate supporter of VGCC, has provided funds for scholarships specifically for VOLT students. For more information about VOLT, visit volt.vgcc.edu or call Evelyn Harris at (252) 738-3254, or Melanie Copeland at (252) 738-3271.
One of the VOLT programs, Criminal Justice, was recognized by AffordableColleges.com as number 21 on the list of the nation’s 50 best values in online associate degrees in Criminal Justice. “In our rigorous review of schools across the nation, we set out to find the programs that combine quality with affordability, and VGCC rose to the top,” said Vanessa Green of Texas-based AffordableColleges.com. “Our mission is to help students find a path to a rewarding, quality education that won’t leave them crippled by student debt. We love connecting students with institutions that match those ideals, and we’re pleased to feature VGCC.” On its website, the organization noted that “VGCC is a state leader in delivering online courses, as well as fully-online degree programs; the school uses the Moodle content management system.”
“The faculty and staff at Vance-Granville continue to demonstrate excellence and innovation, which is reflected in these national rankings,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “More and more people are realizing the value that our programs offer, as we educate, inspire and support Vanguards to prepare for success in Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Pharmacy Technology or any number of other career fields.”
Registration is going on now for the spring 2017 semester at VGCC, which begins Jan. 9.
VGCC programs receive high national rankings
/by WIZS StaffThree national organizations recently recognized Vance-Granville Community College with high rankings for high-quality, affordable education, offered online or on-campus.
The Community for Accredited Online Schools (AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org), a leading resource for higher education and college accreditation information, recently released its national rankings for the 2016-2017 school year. The organization ranked VGCC as having the nation’s 34th Best Pharmacy Technician program as well as the nation’s 49th Best Beauty/Cosmetology program.
VGCC offers Cosmetology at all four of its campuses, while the Pharmacy Technology program is based on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Both programs have options for certain courses to be completed online or in hybrid formats combining online and traditional face-to-face instruction. The college offers certificate and diploma programs in Cosmetology, a Cosmetology Instructor certificate, along with both a diploma and a two-year associate degree in Pharmacy Technology.
“We wanted to highlight schools like Vance-Granville Community College, who are striving for excellence in education,” said Doug Jones, CEO and Founder of the California-based Community for Accredited Online Schools. “These colleges offer an exceptional educational experience, upholding rigorous accreditation standards and showing an overall commitment to maximizing student success.”
In order for colleges to qualify for the rankings, they must hold public or private not-for-profit status and carry institutional accreditation. Top schools are determined by using a value-based methodology that analyzes more than a dozen qualitative and quantitative data points.
Meanwhile, Nevada-based Affordable Colleges Online (AffordableCollegesOnline.org) has ranked VGCC as the 25th “Best Online College” in North Carolina for 2016-2017. The organization evaluated colleges and universities based on cost of tuition and fees, the percentage of full-time students receiving institutional financial aid, the number of online programs offered, and the student-to-teacher ratio. Affordable Colleges Online has distinguished its ranking scale by the use of Peer-Based Value, or PBV. The PBV score compares the cost of each program to the cost of similar programs with the same qualitative score. Earlier this year, AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org ranked VGCC as the top two-year college in North Carolina for online programs.
VGCC has expanded its online course offerings in recent years. In 2015, the college launched the VOLT (Vanguard Online Learning through Technology) initiative, primarily with working adults in mind. Through VOLT, five two-year degree programs are now offered 100-percent online — Associate in Arts (College Transfer), Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Medical Office Administration – Coding Specialist, and Global Logistics and Distribution Management Technology. In addition, students can take online courses in combination with traditional face-to-face courses to complete any VGCC degree program.
VOLT students enjoy several specific benefits, including priority registration and guaranteed course availability. They also have access to many online resources that are available to all VGCC students, such as library services, testing and the Bookstore. Courses offered through VOLT have the same low tuition as all other VGCC courses, making them more affordable than their counterparts at for-profit institutions. In addition, Duke Energy, a longtime corporate supporter of VGCC, has provided funds for scholarships specifically for VOLT students. For more information about VOLT, visit volt.vgcc.edu or call Evelyn Harris at (252) 738-3254, or Melanie Copeland at (252) 738-3271.
One of the VOLT programs, Criminal Justice, was recognized by AffordableColleges.com as number 21 on the list of the nation’s 50 best values in online associate degrees in Criminal Justice. “In our rigorous review of schools across the nation, we set out to find the programs that combine quality with affordability, and VGCC rose to the top,” said Vanessa Green of Texas-based AffordableColleges.com. “Our mission is to help students find a path to a rewarding, quality education that won’t leave them crippled by student debt. We love connecting students with institutions that match those ideals, and we’re pleased to feature VGCC.” On its website, the organization noted that “VGCC is a state leader in delivering online courses, as well as fully-online degree programs; the school uses the Moodle content management system.”
“The faculty and staff at Vance-Granville continue to demonstrate excellence and innovation, which is reflected in these national rankings,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “More and more people are realizing the value that our programs offer, as we educate, inspire and support Vanguards to prepare for success in Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Pharmacy Technology or any number of other career fields.”
Registration is going on now for the spring 2017 semester at VGCC, which begins Jan. 9.
STEM Holds 2nd Annual Spanish Spelling Bee
/by WIZS StaffThe STEM Early High School in Vance County Schools hosted its second annual Spanish Spelling Bee on November 9, with a student from Henderson Middle School taking top honors.
Ximena Rodriguez of Henderson Middle, was the first-place finisher in the spelling bee. She topped Ashley Pendergrass of Vance Early College High, who finished second, and Emily Garcia of STEM Early High, who finished third.
In addition to students from Henderson Middle, STEM Early High and Vance Early College, students from Vance Charter School participated in the competition.
Rodriguez was the only student participating from Henderson Middle. Students from Early College High in the spelling bee were Pendergrass, Brooklyn Davis, Evan Beaudet, Justice Anderson, McKenzie Taylor and Zenee Davis. Those students from STEM Early High included Garcia, Adrian Aguilera, Amanda Cease, Brant Gibson, Jesus Rodriguez, Kelsea Williams and Tanisha Davis. Spellers from Vance Charter included Amber Null, Aniyah Gill, Savannah Ayscue and Yazi Majette.
Town Talk 11/15/16
/by CharleneCooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 11/15/16
/by CharleneVGCC Bioprocess program moving to Franklin Campus
/by WIZS StaffThe Vance-Granville Community College Bioprocess Technology degree program will be based at the college’s Franklin County Campus, starting in January 2017.
The program has been located at the college’s Main Campus in Vance County since its inception in January 2006. The biotechnology lab on Main Campus will now be used primarily by the new Histotechnology degree program instead.
The Franklin Campus, located on N.C. 56 just outside of Louisburg, has actually had a biotech lab longer than the Main Campus has. VGCC has conducted the one-semester BioWork Process Technician course in the lab on the Franklin Campus since it was first offered in 2001. Novozymes North America of Franklinton made monetary and equipment donations to the lab from the outset, and has continued to support VGCC over the years. That lab has also been used by the Bioprocess Technology curriculum degree program from time to time.
“Moving to the Franklin County Campus will strategically locate our program closer to Novozymes and other major employers in the biomanufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, while also promoting economic development in the Franklin County area,” said VGCC Bioprocess Technology program head/instructor Dr. Tara Hamilton. “We look forward to welcoming new students who want to succeed in this growing career field.”
The Bioprocess Technology curriculum is designed to prepare students to work as process operators or quality control analysts in biological products manufacturing facilities. Students receive instruction in a combination of basic science and communication skills, manufacturing technologies, and good manufacturing practices. In addition to the two-year associate in applied science degree, VGCC offers a 16-hour Bioprocess Technology certificate, which is open to eligible high school students through the Career & College Promise program.
VGCC is part of the North Carolina Community College System’s BioNetwork, a statewide initiative that connects community colleges serving the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, providing specialized training, curricula and equipment.
Registration is going on now for the spring 2017 semester at VGCC, which begins Jan. 9. For more information on Bioprocess Technology, contact Dr. Tara Hamilton at (252) 738-3285 or hamiltont@vgcc.edu.
News 11/15/16
/by LarryRotary Clubs and Community Volunteers Work to Reduce Hunger
/by WIZS StaffOn November 19th the Rotary Clubs of Oxford, Henderson, Roxboro and the Kerr Tar Region are joining together to produce Emergency Food Boxes (EFB) for the food insecure in our area. The Rotary clubs will be joined by an estimated 100 volunteers from schools, sororities and other community organizations to produce the boxes.
During the November packing event, 1,200 EFBs will be produced, providing more than 25,000 meals for agencies serving the food insecure, including: ACTS and Vance County Senior Center in Vance County, and Safe Haven, Christian Help Center and a church-based food bank in Person County.
Another packing event will be held on January 21, 2017, producing an additional 1,200 boxes supporting agencies in Granville County. Each EFB contains individual bags of rice, beans and dehydrated vegetables, enough food to make 21 meals and feed a person for a week. More importantly, the box includes illustrated cooking instructions in English and Spanish and menus to feed a family of four for just $75 a week.
Food insecurity is a significant problem in our area, where an estimated 20% (21,000) of the population does not always know where they will find their next meal. Together, the November and January packing events will provide more than 50,000 meals at a total cost of $12,000.
The Emergency Food Box project was funded by the Rotary Clubs of Oxford, Henderson and Roxboro and Rotary District 7710. The Masonic Home for Children in Oxford generously provides storage and production facilities and volunteers to make this project possible.
For more information, contact OxfordNCRotaryClub@Yahoo.com
Town Talk 11/14/16
/by LarryCooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 11/14/16
/by LarryNews 11/14/16
/by Larry