VGCC receives community input at Franklin County forum
What will Franklin County need from Vance-Granville Community College in the near future? That was the subject of discussion at a forum attended by almost 40 Franklin County area citizens on Jan. 26 at the college’s Franklin County Campus near Louisburg. The forum was the third in a series of four sessions being held in each of the four counties served by VGCC. The forums are intended to gather input about how VGCC can better serve the area over the next five years.
Dr. Kathy Baker Smith, a retired Guilford Technical Community College official who is consulting with VGCC on the process of gathering information and planning, welcomed the group. Then, VGCC President Randy Parker offered statistical information about the college, as well as the national and global context within which the college will be operating in coming years. “The goal of the planning process is to identify local economic, social, cultural and educational needs, and then to develop educational solutions to meet those needs,” Parker said. He thanked the local leaders for contributing their suggestions and concerns, which will be considered as Vance-Granville’s staff and Board of Trustees develop a five-year strategic plan.
The participants were broken up into four small groups, with each one assigned different themes for discussion. Dr. Ken Lewis, VGCC’s vice president of information technology, was the facilitator for the group discussing global awareness and competitiveness. Members of the group talked about the educational programs and services VGCC needs to provide for existing business and industry to remain competitive in an interdependent world market, as well as what skill sets students need in order to be successful in the global economy.
VGCC Vice President of Instruction Dr. Angela Ballentine led the workforce/economic development group, which tackled county-wide challenges dealing with a knowledge-based economy and strategies to make sure that VGCC graduates enter the workforce with the skills that employers need.
A group considering the success of students, programs and services — and how such success can and should be measured — was led by Franklin County Schools superintendent Dr. Eddie Ingram.
Timothy Baynes, executive director of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, led the fourth group, which discussed key issues facing the community and perceived “hot topics” of the future. At the conclusion of the forum, each small group reported their discussions and ideas to the entire group.
Above: The small group discussing how to measure the success of VGCC students, programs and services was led by Franklin County Schools superintendent Dr. Eddie Ingram (seated, right). (VGCC photo)
