As we reflect on the recent events and accomplishments at Danville Community College (DCC), I am filled with gratitude and pride for the vibrant relationships that have been forged within our community. First, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Bostian Family for their generous gift to the DCC Foundation. Their support enables us to continue our mission of providing quality education and opportunities to the residents of our region.
On September 6th, DCC had the honor of being celebrated alongside other community partners at the Danville Public Schools Business Partner Recognition Breakfast. One highlight of our partnership with DPS is the significant increase in DPS students participating in the DCC Early College program this fall. This collaboration not only empowers local students but also strengthens the bonds between our institutions.
Later that same day, I had the privilege of attending the Southside Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) Board Meeting. The SVHEC continues to be a vital partner in our efforts to expand higher education opportunities in South Boston. We are excited about the upcoming collaborations and workforce training programs that will further enrich our community, with more announcements to come in October.
In an effort to engage with our youngest learners, our team embarked on the ‘Ace the Mighty’ book tour in Pittsylvania County Schools, where we read our children’s book to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders at 5 different elementary schools across the county.
To kick off the tour, we had the pleasure of visiting Brosville Elementary and Union Hall Elementary on September 8th, followed by visits to Mt. Airy Elementary and Gretna Elementary on September 11th and 12th, respectively. These interactions with students and educators remind us of the importance of fostering a love for learning from an early age.
On September 11, DCC welcomed the newest addition to our executive team, Dr. Carl Smalls. Dr. Smalls, our new Vice President of Finance and Administration, is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background. Before his current role, he held various positions, including Director of the Small Business Center and Incubator at Piedmont Community College, Associate Athletic Director of Marketing and Fundraising at Winston-Salem State University, and Consultant and Associate Professor of Business Administration at Lake Superior State University.
September 11th also marked a day of solemn remembrance for the tragic events of 9/11. As I personally recollected the impact of that day, I am reminded of our commitment to educating future generations who will strive for a better world.
On September 14th, we collaborated with the ACEC program for Adult Education Family Literacy Week's Parents' Day. Our team visited eight Head Start classrooms, engaging with eager toddlers and their families in our ongoing effort to promote literacy. We also had the opportunity to speak with the parents and share the many opportunities available at DCC.
On September 15, we continued the Pittsylvania County leg of our ‘Ace the Mighty’ book tour at Southside Elementary and Chatham Elementary where Faith O’Neil, our Director of PR & Marketing, read aloud to the students.
We welcomed a new board member to the DCC Advisory Board on September 18 during our Q3 meeting. Randy Shackleford, representing Pittsylvania County, joined the board in an effort to give back to his community and to utilize his professional experience to help guide the college.
In true DCC fashion, we had a blast at our first All-College meeting of the year on September 19. We welcomed our staff and faculty back to campus, introduced new team members, celebrated birthdays, and had some delicious snacks and goodies.
It is no secret that building pathways with state colleges and universities is crucial to keeping talent within the Commonwealth and to ensuring student success. On September 20th, I had the pleasure of meeting with Radford University President Dr. Danilowicz to discuss how DCC can continue to eliminate barriers for our students in navigating higher education.
The month of September also brought exciting developments in the Career & Technical Education Division. We welcomed Melissa Mann as the new Dean of Career and Technical Education (CTE) on September 25. Her expertise and dedication will undoubtedly enhance our CTE programs as we continue to enhance and expand our offerings.
On September 27th, DCC's Nursing Club organized a successful Red Cross Blood Drive, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community. 37 individuals donated and enjoyed Duck Donuts while they were here on campus to support the Red Cross event.
As September came to a close, the DCC Executive Cabinet and Advisory Board convened for a retreat on September 27th and 28th. During this time, we reviewed our goals, community engagement strategies, and strategic plans. We are determined to leverage our position as a driver of economic growth in our region to contribute positively to our community's overall success.
We were also proud to receive recognition at the VCCA Awards in Richmond on September 28th. The Office of Public Relations & Marketing received 5 awards for ‘Excellence in Communications’ for the following:
Feature Story – 3rd Place
Total Advertising/PR Campaign – Honorable Mention
Social Media Campaign – Enrollment – 2nd Place
Video Production – 3rd Place
Total Social Media Campaign – Second 8-Weeks – Honorable Mention
Abby Karavanic, Administrative Assistant to the Workforce Services VP, brought home the Staff Showcase award highlighting community college staff excellence.
On September 29th, I closed out a busy month of events and engagement with a presentation to the VCCS Educational Foundation Board regarding the importance of workforce education support. I am incredibly honored to have been asked to share my experience and ideas with foundation leadership from across the Commonwealth.
Looking ahead, we are excited about several upcoming events, including the DNDC Southside National Night Out on October 3rd, the Retiree Breakfast on October 4th, and the CyberKnight Showdown on October 6th.
September was filled with exciting partnerships, community engagement, and achievements with more on the way in the coming months. We remain dedicated to providing quality education and positively impacting our community. Together, we will continue to grow and thrive. Thank you for your continued support of Danville Community College.
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