Welcome to the next edition of News & Notes. Many exciting things are happening on campus and in our communities this Fall and I outline a few of them below. My travels have taken me to Washington, DC three times for various purposes including speaking at the annual conference of the Council for Resource Development and attending the Commission meeting for Marketing & Communications for the American Association of Community Colleges. These visits provide me an opportunity to meet with national leaders in the community college movement to discuss new opportunities for DSLCC.
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Veterans Office Established on Campus
DSLCC is very happy to report that we have established a Veterans Office on the main campus. From a grant written by Director of Financial Aid, Joy Broyles, the funds from the Veterans Administration allowed us to hire two VA work-study students to staff the office. These work-study students are tasked with assisting active duty military, veterans, and those receiving military benefits for their educational, personal, and professional pursuits. These students will be working approximately 25 hours per week and funding is expected to continue indefinitely. Accessing and utilizing military benefits can seem daunting and this allows DSLCC to provide a more intense level of service to those who have served us. The office in located in the Armory and this project is in partnership with the Veterans Administration (funding), the Army National Guard (donated the office space), and DSLCC (who secured funding and is providing oversight). We hope this will turn into a sort of community veterans space and will provide a place for our veterans to connect and engage in activities of fellowship and support with one another.
As a major effort by the Chancellor and State Board for Community Colleges, establishing a Veterans Office on campus was in DSLCC’s Expanding Veterans Services plan that was approved by the Chancellor in November 2013. The VCCS is dedicated to providing those who serve with the opportunity to access the resources and training they need to succeed at home.
Please help me welcome students, Becki Hise and Eric Thompson as our two work-study students assigned to the Veterans Office.
Community College Completion Program Planned
DSLCC and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the two-year honor society on campus, are working together to bring a national movement to the attention of our students, faculty and staff—the completion of community college programs for every student. Members of PTK—the Community College Completion Corps—will be spearheading efforts at DSLCC. The goal is to raise awareness of the importance of college completion, as a way to remain on a pathway of career success and personal fulfillment. Throughout the nation, PTK chapters are hosting Signing Days on which all students, faculty and staff can become involved and demonstrate a commitment to excellence and success.
I am asking that each member of the DSLCC team join me in supporting our students in their effort to create a better future for themselves, their families and our community. You can be a part of each student’s success story by signing your own pledge. This will serve as a commitment to do your part to create an atmosphere that facilitates program completion for each and every student who enrolls at DSLCC.
On Tuesday, November 18, from 10:45am to 12:30pm at the DSLCC Rockbridge Regional Center in Buena Vista and on Thursday, November 20, from 10:30am to 1:00pm in Moomaw Center on the DSLCC Clifton Forge campus students will gather to sign the completion pledge. Join in this Signing!
Pledge cards are available and can be turned in to the DSLCC PTK advisors, Kathy Smestad in the President’s Office, Kathy Nicely in room 309 in Scott Hall, or Ralph Sass, room 314 in Scott Hall. If you need further information, or have any questions, please contact our PTK advisors.
Thank you for your continued support and all you do to foster a strong learning environment for all of our students.
Strategic Planning Committee Formed
Under the leadership of Dr. Chris Orem, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, the DSLCC Strategic Planning Committee has been formed. Their work will produce a new 3-5 year Strategic Plan for DSLCC that will be in effect beginning in July 2015. The process will be inclusive with input from the campus community as well as alumni, donors, business and community leaders, and our Local Board and Educational Foundation.
I would like to thank the members of Committee:
Dr. Chris Orem, Chair
Mr. Steve Douty, Local Board Vice Chair
Mr. Ed Kenny, Facilities Engineer
Mr. Joe Hagy, Dual Enrollment Coordinator
Ms. Penny Fauber, Associate Professor
Student – TBD
Adjunct Faculty – TBD
Please be on the lookout for opportunities to participate in this important process for the College’s future.
Holiday Parades Scheduled
Under the leadership of the Community Outreach Committee, the following community holiday parades are planned for DSLCC’s participation:
December 4 – Buena Vista – 6:00pm
December 5 – Lexington – 5:45pm
December 5 – Clifton Forge – 6:00pm
December 6 – Covington – 6:00pm
December 13 – Iron Gate – 1:00pm
December 13 – Buchanan – 4:00pm
December 20 – Hot Springs – 2:00pm
If you are interested in participating in one or more of the parades or can assist with the setup, please contact Billy Ould, Ted Wiseman, or Melissa Unroe.
PN Students Raise Funds for Charity
Congratulations to the DSLCC Practical Nursing students who raised money for the Rockbridge County Walk, benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in October. Led by Penny Fauber, Director of the PN Program, the Team raised $580.00 for the cause and ranked third as a fundraising team. This is a wonderful example of community outreach and a great way for students to show their College spirit.
DSLCC to Offer EMS Training at Greenfield Center
I am pleased to announce that DSLCC will offer an evening Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training in the Spring Semester at the Greenfield Education and Training Center in Daleville. This is first time DSLCC will be offering a full academic program in Botetourt county. This will result in greater convenience for many who wish to take advantage of this quality program close to home and work.
Please help commend the work of EMS Program Head Jeanette Mann and Vice President Gary Keener for their efforts to make this a reality.
Nursing Pathway Begins in January
Karen Persinger, Interim Program Head of Nursing, received word that DSLCC has been approved to offer a transition pathway course. Beginning in January, 2015, practical nurses who hold a current Virginia license and have at least one year of experience as an LPN, may seek admission into this course to prepare to sit for the NCLEX-RN. This is a wonderful addition to our healthcare program options. Thanks to everyone who worked to prepare for this program. We look forward to welcoming the first group of 10 individuals who will be on campus in January! Contact for this course is Michelle Wallace, Assistant Professor.
Diversity Task Force Formed
I am pleased to announce that DSLCC’s Task Force on Diversity has been established. Our campus Task Force was created in response to a VCCS initiative when, in the summer of 2013, Chancellor Glenn DuBois created the Chancellor’s Diversity Task Force, charged with identifying strategies, actions, programs, and policies that will enable Virginia’s Community Colleges to build inclusive and representative communities.
Under the leadership of Human Resources Director, April Tolley, the DSLCC Task Force will build a plan to include tangible strategies designed to result in desired outcomes linked to the strategic goals of the system and the College. Their recommendations are also aimed at increasing the demographic diversity of DSLCC.
I would like to recognize and thank the following individuals as members of the Committee:
Ms. April Tolley, Chair
Carlisa Essex, Learner Engagement Specialist
Dr. Tobias Philbin, Adjunct Faculty
Ms. Tina Dressler, Associate Professor
Ms. Cynthia Boteler, Students Activities Coordinator
Local Board Member – TBD
Student – TBD
Staff – TBD
Kudos to the Practical Nursing Graduates!
Congratulations are in order to Penny Fauber, Program Head and Gloria Smitka, Associate Professor for the performance of their May graduates. They reported a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN.
Do You Have News for the Next “News & Notes”?
If you would like me to share your news in an upcoming issue of News & Notes, you may submit it anytime directly to Gail Johnson at gjohnson@dslcc.edu.
For More Information
If you have any questions about any of the information contained within, please contact me at jrainone@dslcc.edu. Thank you!
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