Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews
VGCC ranked as best online two-year college in North Carolina
Vance-Granville Community College was recently recognized as the top two-year college in North Carolina for online programs, and, in a separate ranking, was named one of the top five two-year colleges in the state for the second year in a row.
In its list of the “Best Online Schools in North Carolina for 2015-2016,” the California-based organization, Accredited Schools Online (ASO), ranked VGCC first among all of the state’s two-year institutions of higher learning.
“Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) is one of North Carolina’s leaders in providing individual online courses, as well as fully-online degree programs,” ASO wrote in a summary on its website, www.accreditedschoolsonline.org. “Students are afforded the opportunity to complete course work in a way that meets today’s demanding schedules and fulfills the educational requirements of this challenging economy. For many students, a degree from VGCC is the first step to a four-year college or university degree. While online courses offer convenience, they are fully as comprehensive as on-campus courses and create unique challenges for students. Self-motivation, the ability to follow instructions, and basic computer skills are crucial for the successful distance learner.”
Accredited Schools Online is a comprehensive accreditation resource that provides prospective students and families with the tools needed to make well-informed decisions about their education.
ASO’s rankings took into account a number of factors, including the number of online programs and subject areas available, the percentage of students receiving financial aid, the academic/career counseling services offered, the cost of tuition, and the student-to-faculty ratio, which in VGCC’s case was 14 to 1. ASO awarded VGCC a score of 99.56 out of a possible 100.
“Vance-Granville continues to gain national recognition for excellence, thanks to the efforts of our innovative faculty and staff,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “We have taken a leading role in expanding opportunities for distance learning programs that are affordable, accessible and high-quality. Whether they take their classes online or on-campus, our Vanguards receive an outstanding educational experience that prepares them to achieve professional and personal success.”
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. The fall semester begins on Aug. 15.
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, Kathy Wolford at (252) 738-3335 or Melanie Copeland at (252) 738-3271.
Meanwhile, VGCC was also recognized by BestColleges.com for the second consecutive year as one of the top five two-year colleges in North Carolina.
Just as in 2015, VGCC came in fifth on the list, in which BestColleges.com ranked the top 25 two-year and top 25 four-year schools in North Carolina.
The BestColleges.com website notes that VGCC “offers a broad range of subjects” and goes on to highlight VGCC’s technological resources for students, including the Moodle learning management system for online courses, software like Microsoft Office 365, which is available to all students free of charge, and the college’s mobile app.
The organization’s school assessments start by regarding every college and university equally, no matter their size or brand popularity. Rankings are then determined based on acceptance, enrollment, retention, graduation and loan default rates. The last criterion is an indication of post-graduation employment, since those who have found work are less likely to default on their loans.
Texas-based BestColleges.com was founded in 2012 with the mission of helping prospective students find the college that best meets their needs. Visitors to BestColleges.com can find the tools and resources to succeed throughout their higher education career. Those in the college planning stage can take advantage of college rankings, a searchable database of schools, and financial planning guides.
–VGCC–
State Farmers Market Looking for Largest Watermelon
The State Farmers Market is looking for the largest watermelon in North Carolina. The public weigh-in and awards ceremony is part of the market’s Watermelon Day on July 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“North Carolina is the eighth-largest producer of watermelons in the nation,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “I encourage families to enjoy Watermelon Day at the State Farmers Market and then pick up a fresh watermelon to enjoy at home.”
Watermelon growers will have the chance to earn prize money and bragging rights during the Largest Watermelon Contest. The grower with the heaviest watermelon will win $1,000. The runner-up will earn $500, the third-heaviest melon will earn $300 and the fourth-heaviest will earn $200.
All entries must be from North Carolina, and growers must be prepared to identify where the watermelon was grown. Melons should be free of decay and soft spots, and stems should be trimmed to 3 inches. Only one entry will be allowed per person.
Entries will be accepted until 11:30 a.m., and the weigh-in will take place at noon. All entries will become the property of the State Farmers Market. The winning watermelon will be on display at the State Farmers Market Restaurant.
Other Watermelon Day activities include a visit from the N.C. Watermelon Queen and free watermelon slices for visitors. There also will be plenty of fresh watermelons and watermelon products available for purchase from market vendors.
Watermelon Day is sponsored by the N.C. Watermelon Association, State Farmers Market Restaurant, Ford’s Produce, R&H Produce and the State Farmers Market.
More information is available at www.statefarmersmarket.org.
VGCC Trustees elect Danny Wright as chair; Wester, Seifert reappointed
The Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees selected Danny W. Wright of Henderson as its next chair, succeeding Deborah Brown, as the board met for its bi-monthly meeting on Monday, July 18, on the college’s Main Campus.
Herb Gregory of Oxford was re-elected as vice chair, while Brown, a Henderson resident, was elected secretary of the board, succeeding Dr. Doris Terry Williams.
Wright first served as a trustee in 2011-2013, having been appointed by N.C. Gov. Beverly Perdue, and then returned to the VGCC board in January 2015 as an appointee of the Vance County Board of Commissioners. He is a certified public accountant who retired as a county commissioner in 2010 after serving for 28 years.
Brown, who currently serves as a Vance commissioner and is also appointed to the Board of Trustees by that body, thanked her fellow trustees for the support they gave her as chair. She became the chair in July 2012.
“Mrs. Brown has supported this institution, challenged this institution and kept us focused on important things,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, Vance-Granville’s president. “Thank you for that.”
Two long-serving board members began new terms. Resident Superior Court Judge Henry W. “Chip” Hight, Jr., who serves the Ninth Judicial District, swore in Trustees Sara C. Wester and Donald C. Seifert, Sr., both of Henderson, to new four-year terms on the board. Wester was reappointed by the Vance County Board of Commissioners; Seifert, by the Vance County Board of Education. Wester was first appointed in 2004, while Seifert has been a trustee since 1996 and served as chair for nine years.
Building 10 Opening
An update on capital projects was provided, noting that the Building 10 renovation has been completed, final inspections have been performed and the building is ready for occupancy. Located across Poplar Creek Road from the rest of VGCC’s main campus, the building will house classrooms for Emergency Medical Services, Fire/Rescue Programs, Basic Law Enforcement Training, Law Enforcement In-Service training and other workforce programs. A dedication is planned for early August.
Investment Committee
Seven “very good, solid responses” were received to the Investment Committee’s request for proposals (RFP) for investment management services, said Steve Graham, VGCC’s vice president of finance and operations.
The Investment Committee, co-chaired by Trustees L. Opie Frazier, Jr., and Donald C. Seifert, Sr., reported that responses to the RFP will be reviewed and scored in July. A selection committee will hear finalist presentations in August. In September, a finalist will be presented to both the VGCC Endowment Fund Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees for approval.
Budget Amendments
Upon recommendation from the Budget Committee, chaired by Danny W. Wright, the 2015-2016 Budget Resolution was amended. The State Current Fund increased $2,126,684 to $23,633,789, the County Current Fund was unchanged at $2,390,408, and the Institutional Fund increased $218,052 to $13,119,445, for a combined Amended Operating Budget of $39,143,642. The Capital Improvement Budget increased $191,042 to $2,404,460. The total Combined Amended Budget is $41,548,102.
Fall Semester Enrollment
In her report to the board on recent activities and upcoming events, Dr. Stelfanie Williams informed the Trustees that the new Fall Semester starts Monday, Aug. 15. She said she has encouraged staff and faculty to focus on enrollment growth as the new academic year begins.
“I challenge the board to join us in our effort for ‘each one’ to ‘reach one,’” she said. “Try to find someone you think would benefit from the courses we offer, and help them get enrolled for fall.”
Dr. Williams also announced the following upcoming board events: the annual Board Retreat for the Trustees on Aug. 22, a North Carolina Association of Community College Trustees Fall Leadership Seminar in Charlotte on Sept. 7-9, and an Ethics Training session on Nov. 17.
Other Action
In other action:
- The Trustees, on recommendation from the Curriculum Committee, approved the Sustainability Technologies program for closure by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and termination by the North Carolina Community College System. VGCC will contact students who have taken courses in the program to give them an opportunity to complete the credential before termination is effective in the summer of 2017. Low enrollment was cited as the reason for closing the program.
- On recommendation from the Executive Committee, new and amended board policies were approved by the Trustees. The policies cover areas of public information and campus safety, academic and student affairs, and finance and operations.
- An informational report on new employees, retirements, resignations and changes in positions was given by the Personnel Committee, chaired by Trustee Sara C. Wester.
The next meeting of the VGCC Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, Sept. 19, at the Main Campus.
Vance County Schools to host Bus Driver Training
Vance County Schools will host school bus driver training sessions Monday August 8 – Wednesday August 10, at L.B. Yancey Elementary School.
Interested persons must attend the training on all three days to receive certification. We will only be training individuals to drive school buses.
The training sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at approximately 3 p.m. each day.
Those interested in participating in the training sessions must register five days prior to the sessions with the school system’s Transportation Department, located at 226 Welcome Avenue off Raleigh Road south of Henderson. For additional information, call the Transportation Department at 252-438-5012.