As local educational partners, Vance-Granville Community College and Eaton-Johnson Middle School in Henderson help inspire young students to prepare for higher education. A faculty member recently made a visit to the middle school and brought along an EJMS alumna who is now a VGCC student.
VGCC Public Services Department Chair Steven Hargrove was accompanied on his visit by McKallah Pendergrass of Henderson, a Criminal Justice Technology student who had not set foot in her old middle school in years. Pendergrass is preparing to graduate this academic year and plans to transfer to either North Carolina Central University or UNC-Charlotte.
Hargrove and Pendergrass met with the middle school’s lead counselor, Dr. Priscilla Chavis-Lockley, who took them on a tour of the new EJMS Paxton/Patterson lab. Established under the leadership of the school’s new principal, Dr. Brad Jones, the lab features hands-on stations that help students learn about various fields, including manufacturing, robotics, forensics, audiovisual production and computer graphics.
Hargrove noted the clear connections between all the lab’s different skill areas and VGCC’s Business and Applied Technologies programs, showing students that they could continue to study these fields at their local college. As a longtime Criminal Justice instructor, Hargrove was particularly interested in the forensic science computer program that students were using to create a digital reconstruction of the face of a criminal suspect. He noted that now, students have a new opportunity to complete an entire bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice without leaving VGCC’s main campus, thanks to the “Eagle Voyage” partnership with North Carolina Central University. The program is set to graduate its first students in 2017.
“It is important for us to talk to eighth-graders about college,” Hargrove noted, “because that is when they start thinking about careers. They need to start planning their high school and college education and they need to see pathways. We must let students and their parents know about the opportunities that are available.”
Planning for college studies at the middle school level has become increasingly important in recent years, as students have options to enroll in Early College High Schools, offered by VGCC in partnership with local school systems, starting in the ninth grade. In addition, new Career & College Promise pathways have been developed for students in traditional high schools to earn college credits, tuition-free.
Eaton-Johnson’s partnership with VGCC is largely the result of the efforts of Dr. Chavis-Lockley, who earned two degrees at Vance-Granville — early childhood education and associate in arts (college transfer) — before moving on to North Carolina Central University for a bachelor’s degree and three master’s degrees, and to North Carolina State University for a doctorate in education and counseling. She also established a student ambassador program at EJMS that has partnered with VGCC’s own ambassador program in the past.
Days after the visit to the middle school by VGCC, the partnership continued as a group of EJMS students visited the college campus for the annual “Manufacturing Day” event to learn about technical careers.
News 10/21/16
/by LarryCommunity Partners of Hope Men’s Shelter
/by WIZS StaffThe local, Henderson Community Partners of Hope Men’s Shelter is under new management.
Jane King is the volunteer coordinator for the shelter, and she wrote in an email to WIZS News, “We are excited to announce that Darryl Jones and Kenny Blackwell have agreed to share the duties of Shelter Manager and that we will now have one or the other at the shelter EVERY NIGHT (weekends included) from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. They will work closely with Joel Rice and will be present for the entire welcome shift as well as a half-hour overlap with the overnight shift to be sure of a smooth transition. Joel, Kenny, and Darryl all have extensive experience with homeless shelters in general and our shelter in particular so we are excited about this change! Darryl and Kenny will also lead a “quiet time” discussion / devotion time for those who want to participate.”
Rice is a housing specialist with Cardinal Innovations, Inc. and is a member of the Community Partners of Home board of directors.
If you can help, get in touch with King at (252) 432-9494.
King said, “Joel, Darryl, and/or Kenny are available to lead training/information sessions for shelter volunteers. They can come to your church or organization, or we can arrange to use First Presbyterian Church’s fellowship hall and have access to the shelter.
“There is not much to learn in terms of what to do during your shift, but Joel can help you understand what the men are going through and how to engage them in conversation as well as how to be firm about rules and what to do in the rare case of an emergency.”
There is more news about the shelter as well as additional volunteer opportunities, all of which King provided to WIZS News by email. These items are listed below.
Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Needs Assessment
/by WIZS StaffCardinal Innovations Healthcare Needs Assessment
The following survey allows Cardinal Innovations to determine what needs the community is experiencing regarding Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Substance Use Disorders. Please click on the survey links below.
An email received recently by WIZS News from Cardinal Innovations staff read, “In order to ensure that the voices of our members, their family members, their providers, and other community members are being heard, we are conducting this survey to collect information about those needs.
“Cardinal Innovations Healthcare is dedicated to our members and our communities. Our purpose is to enhance the health and well-being of the individuals and their families that we serve.”
Henderson and Vance County are served by the Five County Community Office located at 134 South Garnett Street, Henderson, NC 27536. Phone 252-430-1330. The Five County Community Office staff assists individuals and families affected by mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities or substance use disorder conditions and serves Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Vance and Warren counties. Cardinal Innovations Healthcare as a whole serves 20 some counties in this area.
Link to English survey: 2016-2017 Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Needs Assessment
Link to Spanish survey: https://www.questionpro.com/t/AJGCTZXy50
https://www.cardinalinnovations.org/
(Note – Cardinal Innovations is an advertising client of WIZS Radio. This post is not in connection with that and is being presented in the public interest.)
Town Talk 10/20/16
/by CharleneCooperative Extension with Jean Bell 10/20/16
/by CharleneNews 10/20/16
/by LarryVGCC names new coordinator for Student Activities & Athletics
/by WIZS StaffJermiel Hargrove has been named the coordinator of student activities and athletics at Vance-Granville Community College.
Hargrove will oversee clubs, organizations and extracurricular activities that engage students on campus, as well as the college’s intercollegiate athletics program, which includes men’s basketball, women’s volleyball and a new cheerleading squad. He will also serve as the advisor for the VGCC Student Government Association (SGA).
A resident of Henderson, Hargrove has been a member of the VGCC staff since 2006, serving as webmaster and digital media specialist. He is a graduate of Northern Vance High School and of VGCC, where he earned a degree in Web Technologies.
Hargrove has also served as head coach for the Northern Granville Middle School girls’ basketball team, guiding them to a conference championship. He noted that he has focused on preparing his players to advance to high school-level athletics, and was pleased that 90% of them made the A/B honor roll. Earlier this year, Hargrove also served as interim assistant coach for the VGCC Vanguards men’s basketball team and assisted with the college athletics program for several months on an interim basis before assuming his new full-time role.
“Jermiel brings to his new position a deep understanding of VGCC as both a graduate and an employee of the college, along with a passion for working with young people,” VGCC Dean of Enrollment & Outreach Jeffrey Allen said. “Under his leadership, we will continue to develop student-athletes who succeed both on the court and in the classroom, while also providing enriching experiences and service opportunities for all of our Vanguards.”
Fall Festival to be held at Vance County Early College High School
/by WIZS StaffThe Vance County Early College High School would like to invite the community to attend its annual Fall Festival on Friday, Oct. 28th, at Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center, from 6:00-9:00pm.
Families are urged to attend for good food, fellowship and fun!
Eaton-Johnson Middle School, VGCC partner to show students pathways
/by WIZS StaffAs local educational partners, Vance-Granville Community College and Eaton-Johnson Middle School in Henderson help inspire young students to prepare for higher education. A faculty member recently made a visit to the middle school and brought along an EJMS alumna who is now a VGCC student.
VGCC Public Services Department Chair Steven Hargrove was accompanied on his visit by McKallah Pendergrass of Henderson, a Criminal Justice Technology student who had not set foot in her old middle school in years. Pendergrass is preparing to graduate this academic year and plans to transfer to either North Carolina Central University or UNC-Charlotte.
Hargrove and Pendergrass met with the middle school’s lead counselor, Dr. Priscilla Chavis-Lockley, who took them on a tour of the new EJMS Paxton/Patterson lab. Established under the leadership of the school’s new principal, Dr. Brad Jones, the lab features hands-on stations that help students learn about various fields, including manufacturing, robotics, forensics, audiovisual production and computer graphics.
Hargrove noted the clear connections between all the lab’s different skill areas and VGCC’s Business and Applied Technologies programs, showing students that they could continue to study these fields at their local college. As a longtime Criminal Justice instructor, Hargrove was particularly interested in the forensic science computer program that students were using to create a digital reconstruction of the face of a criminal suspect. He noted that now, students have a new opportunity to complete an entire bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice without leaving VGCC’s main campus, thanks to the “Eagle Voyage” partnership with North Carolina Central University. The program is set to graduate its first students in 2017.
“It is important for us to talk to eighth-graders about college,” Hargrove noted, “because that is when they start thinking about careers. They need to start planning their high school and college education and they need to see pathways. We must let students and their parents know about the opportunities that are available.”
Planning for college studies at the middle school level has become increasingly important in recent years, as students have options to enroll in Early College High Schools, offered by VGCC in partnership with local school systems, starting in the ninth grade. In addition, new Career & College Promise pathways have been developed for students in traditional high schools to earn college credits, tuition-free.
Eaton-Johnson’s partnership with VGCC is largely the result of the efforts of Dr. Chavis-Lockley, who earned two degrees at Vance-Granville — early childhood education and associate in arts (college transfer) — before moving on to North Carolina Central University for a bachelor’s degree and three master’s degrees, and to North Carolina State University for a doctorate in education and counseling. She also established a student ambassador program at EJMS that has partnered with VGCC’s own ambassador program in the past.
Days after the visit to the middle school by VGCC, the partnership continued as a group of EJMS students visited the college campus for the annual “Manufacturing Day” event to learn about technical careers.
Alliance Against Crime 10/19/16
/by Charlene