Tag Archive for: #vancegranvillecommunitycollege

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VGCC Gets ‘Leader College’ Designation From National Organization

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— information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Vance-Granville Community College has been designated a Leader College by Achieving the Dream, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing and economic mobility in their communities.

The announcement was made Thursday, Feb. 20 at ATD’s DREAM 2025 conference in Philadelphia. VGCC President Dr. Rachel Demarais was on hand to receive the award.

“VGCC is honored to be recognized as a Leader College for the ATD Network as we work to achieve student excellence and success,” Desmarais said. “Continuous improvement is the fuel to advance the people and communities we serve.”

Leader Colleges are recognized for their role in accelerating the adoption of effective practices within the ATD Network and across higher education. They have demonstrated quality work in whole-college reform, resulting in increased completion rates for all students. Leader Colleges develop innovative ways to work with other colleges to share knowledge and facilitate an exchange of ideas about evidence-based reform strategies.

In 2018, VGCC joined the ATD Network, a coalition of more than 300 colleges across the nation which support student success at their institutions and promote economic vitality in their communities. The school’s Leader College designation continues for three years, at which time VGCC will have the opportunity to be recertified.

“We are proud to recognize our 2025 Leader Colleges and Leader Colleges of Distinction for their extraordinary commitment to student success,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “These colleges exemplify excellence within the ATD Network, achieving measurable gains in student outcomes and fostering impactful change within their institutions and communities. Their dedication to using data-informed approaches to create meaningful opportunities for students and their communities serves as a powerful example for all institutions of higher education and especially for those in the ATD Network.”

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VGCC, Western Carolina University Partnership Turns Vanguards Into Catamounts

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— Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

More than 300 miles separate Vance-Granville Community College and Western Carolina University—but thanks to a new partnership, the two schools are now much closer than the physical distance that separates them.

On Thursday, Feb. 6, VGCC President Rachel Desmarais, WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown and colleagues from both institutions met by video call to sign a memorandum of understanding, guaranteeing admission to WCU for all Vance-Granville graduates who satisfy certain requirements. The agreement will offer a direct pathway for Vanguards to earn their four-year degree at WCU.

“We are pleased to be a participant in the Catamount Connections program offering a direct-entry admission opportunity to qualified VGCC graduates,” said Desmarais. “Western Carolina University offers unique programs of study, and we are excited to offer a pathway to these possibilities.”

Brown is excited Western Carolina can help make higher education more accessible to students in VGCC’s four-county service area.

“WCU continues to make the process of transferring to WCU as smooth as possible for the graduates of all our community college partners across the region and the state,” Brown noted. “This memorandum of understanding is an important tool in providing Vance-Granville Community College graduates with the resources and access to continue their higher education journey.”

Participating students must satisfy the following conditions:

  • Be a currently enrolled student at Vance-Granville Community College in a degree-seeking capacity
  • Submit WCU application for admission and records by WCU deadlines
  • Submit application fee or waiver and fulfill all commitment action steps
  • Be in good standing at VGCC and other institutions attended
  • Demonstrate good citizenship and conduct
  • Earn and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 at VGCC and a minimum GPA of 2.20 in their most recent term
  • Earn an associates degree from VGCC in a college transfer program or in an applied program for which an articulation agreement exists
  • Enroll at WCU within one academic year (within the next two regular terms [fall/spring semesters]) of completion of the associates degree

VGCC students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university may find more resources at www.vgcc.edu/transfer. For additional information, contact Robinette Fischer, Department Chair of Transition, Student Success, & College Transfer, at 252-738-3255 or fischerr@vgcc.edu.

VCHS Band Director Jaron Cox To Take Conductor Role In 3rd Annual Community Youth Honor Band

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— information courtesy of Vance County Schools and Vance-Granville Community College

More than 100 of the region’s best young musicians will show off their skills at the 3rd annual Community Youth Honor Band Concert, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 7 at the VGCC Civic Center.

The concert, which is free and open to the public. begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Campus Civic Center in Henderson. All family, friends and community members are encouraged to come support these talented students and the schools they represent.

Jaron Cox, a founding member of the honor band event, will lead the intermediate group – the Green Honor Band. Cox is the band director at Vance County High School. VGCC music instructor Brian D. Miller will lead the advanced group, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

Middle and high school students representing schools throughout VGCC’s four-county service area were nominated by their respective band directors for their musical talent and passion. They will gather for the first time to rehearse on Thursday, Feb. 6, reconvene Friday morning, and present a concert that evening.

The student musicians will learn new songs especially for this event. Music selections had not yet been finalized at the time of publication, but event organizers offered a preview of what songs attendees might hear: “Ballad for Peace,” “The Barber of Seville,” “Ready the Castle” (JaRod Hall), and “Shadow Fire” (Randall D. Standridge), among others.

Cox said he is honored to lead this talented group of students. “The opportunity to conduct the Green Honor Band is a privilege,” said Cox. “This concert brings together young musicians from across the region to showcase their talents, and I look forward to helping them create a memorable performance.”

The Community Youth Honor Band includes middle and high school students from Granville, Vance, Warren and Franklin counties. It offers a special opportunity for students to collaborate with peers from other schools and perform in a large concert band. The preparation begins the day prior to the performance, with students rehearsing intensively for the big event.

Last year’s concert featured 95 students—45 from middle schools and 50 from high schools—performing before an audience of more than 300 in the VGCC Civic Center. This year promises to be another exciting display of musical growth and community spirit.

Cox also expressed gratitude for the continued support of the event by Betsy Henderson, VGCC Department Chair of Fine Arts and Humanities, Dr. Thomas Koinis, MD, FAAFP, VGCC Community Band member, and Tiffany Stone of Hill’s Music, aas well as Miller, who also is director of the Community Band.

This event was planned by a committee comprised of VGCC representatives, area band directors and school administrators, local business owners, and other community members. To learn more about the band or Fine Arts programs at Vance-Granville, contact department chair Betsy Henderson at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or 252.738.3371.

Longtime VGCC President, Dr. Ben F. Currin, Dies

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Dr. Benjamin Fleming Currin, long-time president of Vance-Granville Community College,  died on Nov. 23, 2024. Under his leadership, VGCC grew from a single campus to four campuses, doubled its enrollment and saw its Endowment Fund swell to $5 million. He was 88.

Ben was born on November 13, 1936 in Granville County to Sophia Hunt Currin and Elam Ray Currin. He attended the public schools of then Oxford City Schools. He graduated from Oxford High School in 1955 and earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill. He is survived by his wife, Betsy, a son, George and a granddaughter, Catherine.

According to his obituary, “Ben was a man of the people and had the rare ability to relate to and care about people from all walks of life. He and Betsy devoted their lives to education—he was a teacher, school principal, school superintendent, and community college president.”

Current VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais sent a message to staff and board members on Sunday afternoon to share the news of Currin’s passing. “It is with sadness that I communicate with you this weekend,” the statement read. “I know that some of you worked with him or went to college when he was president,” Desmarais stated. He held a variety of positions in public schools systems across the state, beginning in 1959 in Durham as a teacher and coach. He rose through the ranks and became the youngest principal in the state just a couple of years later when he was named principal at Eureka Elementary in Wayne County. By 1970, he was named superintendent of Rocky Mount City Schools and led the school system for more than a decade.

Currin was named VGCC president in 1981 and retired in 1998. During that time, VGCC experienced exponential growth.

In 2016, Ben received the I.E. Ready Award, the highest honor given by the North Carolina Community College System, which recognizes individuals who have made significant, statewide contributions to the establishment, development or enhancement of the community college system. Currin also was a Mason and a Shriner.

A graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford, North Carolina, 530 Hillsboro St., at a date and time to be announced.

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home is handling arrangements. View the full obituary at dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/raleigh-nc/benjamin-currin-12104838. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. Ben F. Currin scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College, or to Transitions LifeCare.

In an article about the I.E. Ready award written in 2016, WIZS News spoke with L. Opie Frazier Jr. about Currin’s accomplishments. Frazier was chair of the VGCC board of trustees for many of the years during Currin’s tenure as president, and Frazier called Currin “a godsend” as part of the written nomination for the award. “His greatest asset was his emphasis on students. The second was his enthusiasm. His successes are many – for example, the satellite campuses started under his leadership and the scholarship program that grew dramatically – because he wanted the best for students, and his enthusiasm helped him win friends at various levels to help him grow the college and serve more students,” Frazier wrote.

In remarks at the 2009 ceremony at which Currin received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, Dr. J. Reid Parrott Jr., retired president of Nash Community College, cited the positive impact Currin had on VGCC. “I want to tell you, I’ve been doing this community college stuff a long time, and there is no president of all 58 of our schools that has transformed an institution as quickly and as magnificently as Ben Currin did at Vance-Granville,” Parrott said.

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VGCC Drama Dept. Opens “Agnes Of God” Thursday For Weekend Run

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— Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

 

VGCC Drama returns to the stage Thursday with a three-member cast performing “Agnes of God,” the award-winning 1979 play by John Pielmeier.

Vance-Granville students Saylor Gray, JayAnn Gupton and KB Wiggs make up the all-female cast who take the stage for four performances. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday, Nov. 24.

The story is about a young novice, Agnes, who has been accused of killing her newborn child. A court-appointed psychiatrist, Dr. Martha Livingstone, is summoned to the convent to assess the young woman’s sanity. Miriam Ruth, the Mother Superior, determinedly keeps young Agnes from the doctor, further arousing Livingstone’s suspicions. Who killed the infant, and who fathered the tiny victim? Livingstone’s questions force all three women to re-examine the meaning of faith and the power of love, leading to a dramatic, compelling climax.

Because of the adult themes and language, the performance is suggested for audience members 16 and older or children accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Tickets for “Agnes of God” are on sale now. The cost is $20 General Admission, $15 for Seniors/Military, and $10 for Students and VGCC Faculty/Staff.

Purchase tickets online at www.vgcc.edu/vgcc-drama-agnes-of-god.

Headed to the opening night show? Stay afterward to participate in a “talkback” discussion led by VGCC psychology instructor Dr. Kristie Polk.

All shows will take place in the Small Auditorium on VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson. The venue is located on the lower level of Building 2 (Room #2105), which is accessible from the campus’s central courtyard.

Some audience members may be triggered by content such as abuse, religion, death, and use of cigarettes. Disclaimer: the theatrical cigarettes used in the production contain no harmful ingredients for either the audience of the actors.

VGCC Drama presents “Agnes of God” by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

To learn more VGCC Drama or Fine Arts at Vance-Granville Community College, contact Betsy Henderson, Department Chair of Fine Arts & Humanities, at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or 252. 738.3371.

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The Local Skinny! Workforce and Continuing Education Open House at VGCC

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Vance-Granville Community College is hosting a Workforce and Continuing Education Open House at the Henderson campus on Saturday, Nov. 16.

School representatives will be on hand from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help prospective students learn more about the programs available across the four campuses.

Whether pursuing opportunities after high school or looking for a career change, VGCC may have just what you’re looking for.

According to the VGCC website, Continuing Education classes are designed for adults looking to enhance their job skills, update their knowledge or pursue personal interests.

Learn about the diverse program that VGCC offers, including Commercial Driver’s License, Healthcare, Public Safety, Welding and Business, just to name a few. Faculty members will be on hand to share additional program information and participants can attend break-out sessions about specific fields and certifications they may be interested in pursuing.

And to top it all off, you can get help with registration, financial aid and setting up your student account – all on the same day.

The Open House will be held in Building 7 at the Main Campus, located at 200 Community College Rd., Henderson.

Visit www.vgcc.edu and click on Latest News and Upcoming Events tabs to learn more.

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Vance Early College Gets Ninth A In A Row, In Top 5 Percent Of N.C. Schools

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— Press release courtesy of VCS Chief Communication Officer Aarika Sandlin

Vance County Early College gets an A – for the 9th year in a row – and is ranked among the top 5 percent of public schools across the state for the 2023-24 school year.

More than 80 percent of VCEC graduates enroll in a four-year college or university after graduating high school, a figure that highlights the way the school prepares its students for higher education and future success, according to a press statement from Vance County Schools Chief Communication Officer Aarika Sandlin.

“This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved—our students who strive for excellence, our teachers and staff who inspire and support them, and our parents who play an essential role in their education,” said Principal Debbie Hite.

Hite said she appreciates the support from the school district and said the school’s culture for success is a collective effort. “It truly takes all of us! From our instructional coaches and child nutrition staff to the dedicated members of the superintendent’s cabinet and our transportation team, every individual plays a crucial role in supporting our students and enriching their educational experiences. I would also like to commend the leadership of our superintendent, whose vision and commitment to academic excellence have been instrumental in guiding our district toward success.”

Of Vance-Granville Community College, VCEC’s educational partner, Hite said, “We want to extend our gratitude to Vance-Granville Community College. Their support and resources have been essential in enhancing our students’ learning experiences and paving the way for their future success.”

VCEC offers an innovative educational model in partnership with VGCC. The school is located on VGCC’s main campus, giving students a unique opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an associate’s degree simultaneously. This blend of high school and college courses equips students with a head start on their higher education journey and helps them develop the skills and knowledge to excel in college and beyond.

VCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett praised Hite and the school’s commitment to teaching and learning. “The collaborative approach to teaching and learning, a focus on personalized learning pathways, and the commitment to an environment where students and staff are supported, challenged, and constantly learning and evolving is truly a model for success,” Bennett stated.

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TownTalk: VGCC Truck Driver Program & National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

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This week is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week and Vance-Granville Community College joins the nation’s trucking industry in a weeklong celebration of the millions of professional truck drivers who deliver America’s freight safely and securely every day.

Established by the American Trucking Associations in 1988 to recognize the vital contributions of truck drivers to our daily lives and to the economy, the national observance highlights the contributions of the nation’s 3.5 million truck drivers who deliver 70 percent of the country’s total freight to communities large and small.

Vance-Granville Community College has actively supported trucking in its four-county service area since launching a commercial driver’s license program in 2020. Originally offered in collaboration with Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute, VGCC’s program achieved the criteria to run independently late last year. To date, 290 VGCC students have graduated from the nine-week program, many of whom have been hired immediately or gone on to open their own trucking business.

“Kelvin Sharpe, our truck driver training coordinator, says, ‘Give us nine weeks and we’ll change your life,’” said Kyle Burwell, VGCC dean of Business & Industry Solutions. Since 2020, the program has graduated close to 300 individuals

Vance-Granville’s next Truck Driver Training course begins Oct. 21. There’s still time to register, and Burwell said there is a mandatory orientation that will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Henderson campus. The session will conclude on Dec. 20.

To view participant requirements and register, please visit www.vgcc.edu/cdl.

Burwell and lead instructor Georgie Bullock were guests on Tuesday’s TownTalk and provided more details about the program.

As with driving any vehicle, Bullock said the top priority to convey to students is safety. Safety and patience.

“Take your time, watch everything moving around you,” Bullock said. “Always be prepared to stop,” he said. Driving on the open road is one thing, but driving a big rig through town can be unnerving at first, Bullock acknowledged.

“They can get kinda nervous driving through town,” he said. But city streets are part of the everyday training routes, as well as the testing route.

“If you can’t drive in town, you don’t need to be a driver,” he said.

Burwell calls the VGCC program “turnkey,” meaning that once the students complete the course, any one of three licensed examiners are on campus to administer the CDL test. The only thing left to do after a student passes the examination is go to the DMV to get their photo taken and get their CDL.

Burwell said she is thankful that the program’s instructors and coordinators stress safety, whether they’re on the driving range or on the road. There is no room for error or distraction when you’ve got 80,000 pounds of truck and cargo behind you.

Bullock tells students, “When you’re on the road, be 100 percent focused on what you’re doing.”

Learn more at www.vgcc.edu/cdl.

 

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Sowing Seeds NC, Inc. Named 2024 VGCC Small Business Of The Year

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The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center recently named a Franklin County family-owned farm as the recipient of the Small Business of the Year award.

Sowing Seeds NC, Inc. is the nonprofit food ministry of Mcphetridge Family Farms, a sustainable small farm located outside Franklinton.

Leadership joined Franklin County officials and community members as the VGCC Small Business Center presented Sowing Seeds NC, Inc., with its 2024 Small Business of the Year award.

Joni and Todd McPhetridge had a passion for combatting food insecurity long before moving to the Franklinton area in 2018. A few years later, a local food pantry began sharing their leftover items with the McPhetridges, who figured the farm animals could consume items past their prime—but when they realized some of the food was still good, the McPhetridges decided to share with friends and family. The pantry began supplying more items to support this new initiative, to the point the family had to start announcing the extras on social media to make sure they did not go to waste.

By early 2023, the McPhetridges realized their ministry was growing consistently enough to warrant its own air-conditioned building, somewhere to keep food preserved in the summer. They officially launched Sowing Seeds NC, Inc. and they have grown tremendously since. According to their website, the organization has already served over 13,400 individuals this year, and they anticipate serving 31,800 by the end of 2024. A small team of volunteers regularly helps unload and organize food, as well as man the pantry during its open hours.

In spring 2024, Sowing Seeds NC participated in the Entrepreneurial Business Grant Program, a collaborative effort between the VGCC Small Business Center and the Northeast Franklin Revitalization Group. Joni McPhetridge completed the course with a robust arsenal of tools to foster the success of Sowing Seeds NC, an expanded network of professional relationships, and a grant to improve the Sowing Seeds NC facilities.

Carolyn Perry, director of the Vance-Granville Small Business Center, has added her own perspective on what makes Sowing Seeds an exceptional organization:

  • Sowing Seeds serves with open hearts. Because they serve others genuinely and selflessly, positive outcomes have followed. Whether it’s volunteering, helping their neighbors in the surrounding communities, or contributing to a cause, their open-hearted approach has led to meaningful connections and positive change throughout Franklin County.
  • Sowing Seeds shows up and gives its best. When good things started happening, it was essential that Sowing Seeds be present and actively participate—showing up consistently, whether it’s at work, in relationships, or in community activities. Giving their best efforts supports their ever-growing network of partners.
  • Sowing Seeds reflects adaptability and openness. Life is full of changes and challenges. Being adaptable and open-minded allows Sowing Seeds to navigate these transitions effectively—embracing new opportunities, learning from their setbacks, and remaining flexible in their approach.
  • Sowing Seeds treats people well. Building a strong network involves treating others with kindness, respect, and empathy. Positive interactions create lasting connections, both personally and professionally. When people are treated well, they won’t forget that feeling.

Warren County Economic Development, VGCC To Hold Soft Skills Training Course Sept. 25

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Warren County Community and Economic Development, in partnership with Vance-Granville Community College, is hosting a Soft Skills training course on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Warren County EMS Emergency Operations Center, located at 890 US-158 BYP in Warrenton.

Dr. Laurica Yancey, a Warren County native and instructor from the Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) Corporate Learning and Professional Development department, will lead the training.

This training is designed for local business and non-profit organization owners, human resource and hiring managers, as well as work supervisors focusing on two crucial topics: “Generational Differences in the Workplace” and “Recruiting Strategies for Today’s Market.” Participants will gain valuable insights into managing a multigenerational workforce and refining recruitment strategies to meet the demands of the current job market.

The course is sponsored by Warren County Community and Economic Development.

Registration is now open and can be completed online at https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/clpd/.

For more information, contact Megan Williams, economic development specialist, at 252.257.3115.