VGCC concludes series of workshops for women
Vance-Granville Community College recently completed a project designed to encourage women to complete a two-year degree at the college and then successfully transfer to a four-year university. The third and final installment of a series of workshops called “ An Educated Woman, An Educated Future ” was held on May 5 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus. Approximately 70 students, along with several faculty and staff members, enjoyed the luncheon and workshop, called “Motivation: Goals for Finishing a Four-Year Degree.”
The workshops were part of a Campus Action Project funded by a grant from the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The series started in February with a session called “ Follow-Through to Completing a College Degree ,” which was followed by “ Self-Care: Professional Appearance, Health & Fitness ” in March.
The keynote speaker for the May program was D. Carr Thompson, senior program officer for the Burroughs Wellcome Fund , which is based in Research Triangle Park. Thompson noted that her organization makes grants to advance biomedical sciences, and she encouraged the women in attendance to consider studying in scientific and technical fields. “You are critical to America’s future, so we need you to continue your education and gain a degree that can change your life,” Thompson said to the students. “An education in STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Math] will give you a pathway to a highly successful career.” She urged students to have a “vision” for their lives, and not to limit themselves. “Continue your education in order to achieve the goals you set for your life,” Thompson said. “Don’t prepare yourself for a job, but instead prepare to create jobs.” She said that students might go into fields that do not even exist today, and they might find themselves in surprising careers as she did. “I had no idea I would go into philanthropy,” Thompson said. “It’s been a great career. I’ve been part of giving away $500 million since 1996.”
Following Thompson, VGCC Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs Dr. Angela Ballentine made remarks in which she thanked the AAUW for their support of an inspiring series. “Vance-Granville was honored to be one of just 11 colleges in the nation that received a grant from the AAUW to implement recommendations from the association’s recent report, ‘Women in Community College: Access to Success,’” Ballentine said. “We thank the association for recognizing the important role that community colleges play, particularly since 57 percent of community college students across the country are women, and 66 percent of Vance-Granville’s curriculum students are women.” She advised students to become lifelong learners to keep up with today’s fast-paced world.
Also during the program, Jacquelin Heath, the head of the VGCC School-Age Education program and coordinator for the Campus Action Project, recognized three students, each of whom had assisted with the project. Early Childhood Education student Jesica Rivera of Oxford was awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2014 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders. Chelsea Clinton is slated to be the featured speaker at the conference, scheduled for June 5-7 at the University of Maryland, College Park. Heath honored School-Age Education students Aqueria Hargrove of Kittrell and Megan Sullivan of Oxford for their educational achievements, which were in line with the purpose of the AAUW grant. Both graduated with their degrees from VGCC shortly after the workshop. Sullivan has been accepted to a program at Pennsylvania State University, while Hargrove is transferring to Winston-Salem State University to continue her education.
To conclude the session, student participants moved on to breakout sessions on the topic of time management, conducted by VGCC counselors Seletha Pherribo and Cathy Davis.
Above: From left, guest speaker D. Carr Thompson, VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams, School-Age Education program head/Campus Action Project coordinator Jackie Heath and Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs Dr. Angela Ballentine. (VGCC photo)
Above: From left, VGCC students Megan Sullivan and Jesica Rivera, both of Oxford, were recognized as active participants in the project called “An Educated Woman, An Educated Future.” (VGCC photo)
