VGCC Basic Skills department goes beyond the “basics”
The Basic Skills department at Vance-Granville Community College focuses on helping area adults to improve their reading, writing and math skills and to complete their high school diplomas, but college staff also want to go above and beyond to meet students’ needs.
Deborah W. Allison, relationship banker from the Henderson branch of BB&T, recently spoke to VGCC Basic Skills students regarding the basics of borrowing, understanding credit and loans, interest, saving and checking accounts, and job opportunities in banking. Allison talked to students about her career, how to prepare for an interview and other information to help them when they are in the job market. She motivated students to continue to study, learn successfully and get their GED’s . “Ms. Allison was very inspirational,” said Esdras De La Torre, VGCC’s recruiter/counselor for Basic Skills. “There are times when every student needs some inspiration, and the Basic Skills Department believes we should not ignore those needs. We are human, with a unique set of financial goals and ambitions, and need to know that complete financial security comes from making one good decision at a time.”
Another special presentation for Basic Skills students focused on making decisions about their education. VGCC Admissions/Records Assistants Claudette Dickerson and Sharon Williams talked with students about the cost of college, financial aid resources (including scholarships, grants, state and federal funding and loans), and academic advising. Students asked many questions about the college’s curriculum programs . This presentation was part of the department’s effort to give Adult Basic Education (ABE) students a broad overview of opportunities and career paths that will be open to them once they complete their studies. During their orientation sessions, students receive important information about GED or ABE classes, are taught tips for success in class and on tests, are assessed in reading, math, and language, and receive an introduction to the college and its services. VGCC officials think this will help engage and retain students. “Orientation helps students feel like they belong to the environment,” De La Torre said. “Students learn better in a non-threatening, relaxed situation. Many students have memories of being unsuccessful in the traditional public school environment. They can overcome their discomfort about returning to school, transition and let go of their old life before adjusting to the new one.”
“Basic Skills is addressing the goal of student success and readiness, emphasizing the community college’s role in meeting the state’s social and economic needs,” said VGCC Director of Basic Skills Sue W. Grissom. “We’re dealing with the needs of basic skills students, meeting the challenges of improving student learning and extending the use of effective practices in an effort to provide a major pathway to higher education, career and job readiness for all our students.” For more information on VGCC Basic Skills programs , call Grissom at (252) 492-2061, ext. 3315.
Above: A student in a Basic Skills orientation session at Vance-Granville Community College raises his hand to ask VGCC Admissions/Records Assistants Claudette Dickerson and Sharon Williams a question about college opportunities available after completing the high school equivalency program.
