Dr. John Rainone, President of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, is pleased to announce that the college’s Educational Talent Search TRIO Program has been awarded a five-year $1.7 million grant from the Department of Education that will enable them to continue the program for the next five years. Last year Talent Search celebrated 35 years of being on the DSLCC campus.Educational Talent Search is funded to serve potential first-generation, and/or
Educational Talent Search is funded to serve potential first-generation, and/or low-income college students. The goal of the program is to encourage students to graduate from high school and pursue postsecondary education. The counselors in the program work in middle and high schools in the DSLCC service area including schools in Alleghany, Bath and Rockbridge Counties, the cities of Covington, Buena Vista, and Lexington.
Counselors provide both group and individual services in areas such as early college and career awareness, SAT/ACT test preparation, study skills, financial aid, and college application assistance. The program also takes students on field trips to visit colleges, universities, and technical schools. In addition, the counselors provide evening programs for parents at each high school designed to prepare them to assist their student in the areas of choosing a college and applying for financial aid.
Christie Hardbarger is the project director and Ellen Woodruff serves as the office manager. Counselors in the program are Karen Robertson, Holly Hall, Jennifer Bodnar, Noreen Mitchell, and Jimmy Smith.
Parents who would like more information are encouraged to visit the Talent Search office on the campus of DSLCC or call the office at (540) 863-2874.