Speaker encourages VGCC students to continue education
Vance-Granville Community College kicked off a series of workshops designed to inspire women to accomplish their academic goals on Feb. 24. Approximately 100 women enrolled as students at the college, along with several faculty and staff members, enjoyed the first session, entitled “Follow-Through to Completing a College Degree.”
The workshops are part of a Campus Action Project, called “An Educated Woman, An Educated Future,” funded by a grant from the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Michelle Evans, co-president of the Tar Heel Branch of AAUW, was also on hand for the Feb. 24 event. The project is designed to encourage women to complete a two-year degree at the community college and then successfully transfer to a four-year university. The Campus Action Project series continues on March 5 with “Self-Care: Professional Appearance and Health/Fitness” and concludes on May 5 with “Motivation: Goals for Finishing a Four-Year Degree.”
The keynote speaker for the Feb. 24 program was Angel Wright-Lanier, Assistant City Manager for the City of Goldsboro and formerly a top official for the City of Raleigh. Wright-Lanier shared her own story of education and career achievements. She graduated from high school at age 16 but found that she was not fully prepared for college-level work. Wright-Lanier’s college education took her to several different community colleges and universities until she graduated from Pellissippi State Community College, as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and went on to complete a bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee at age 29. She later earned two master’s degrees. Wright-Lanier reflected that she had few advantages growing up, and her path was not always easy or direct. “I didn’t want to become a statistic….I was determined to make something of myself,” she said. She encouraged VGCC students to develop “grit” and work hard to complete their degrees. “If I could reach my dreams, you can as well,” Wright-Lanier said. “Despite the odds against me, I made it.”
Following Wright-Lanier’s remarks, student participants moved on to breakout sessions in which they talked about their own life and vocational/career goals. VGCC faculty/staff members Suzanne Keil, Kyle Burwell and Jacquelin Heath (coordinator for the Campus Action Project) led the small group discussions. VGCC Director of Student Activities & Athletics Jasmine Hightower served as mistress of ceremonies, and Vice President of Employee & Public Relations Stacey Carter-Coley also made remarks.
Above: Angel Wright-Lanier, Assistant City Manager for the City of Goldsboro, speaks at the VGCC Civic Center. (VGCC photo)
Register for the next workshop/luncheon in this series at http://vgcc.springerstudios.net/Forms/luncheonworkshop_march5.cfm
