Spring is just around the corner and March has been an exceptionally busy and exciting month for partnerships, events, and outreach at Danville Community College!
We kicked off the month of March by inviting our retirees to enjoy a delicious breakfast at our student center, while members of the Executive Cabinet shared all of the exciting things happening in their areas. We always value the insight and knowledge that our retirees bring to the table, and we especially enjoy hearing about their advocacy for the college as they are out in the community.
On March 6, I visited Halifax County to attend the Board of Supervisors meeting and present the many initiatives and programs that are currently under development or being launched at DCC. It was a pleasure to share this information with the Board of Supervisors and the many attending members of the community. Halifax County is a huge part of the DCC service region and we are excited to continue to support the area through education and workforce development.
The ‘People & Places’ tour hit the road again on March 13 where we visited David Cross, Executive Director of the Old Dominion Agricultural Center; Peggy Moore, Administrator of Roman Eagle Nursing Home; Fred Webb, CEO and Charly Harris, CFO of J.T. Minnie Maude Charitable Trust; and John Holshouser of JTI to hear about the work that their organizations are doing in the region, and how DCC can support that work.
Special thanks to Tradesman Trucking Mark Garner, as DCC launched the CDL Truck Driving program last month, we continue to learn the needs of our partners in the transportation business. DCC is currently exploring CDL class B training!
In an effort to ensure the safety of our campus, and to equip our faculty and staff with the knowledge they need to react during an emergency, Danville Community College held an Active Threat Seminar for all employees on March 15th and 16th. Presented by Virginia State Police First Sargent Anthony Nicely, the seminar equipped faculty and staff with the tactics and skills needed to survive an active threat, specifically an active shooter. While these kinds of conversations are uncomfortable to have, ensuring that our campus is ready to respond in an emergency situation is of the utmost importance.
On March 17, I made the beautiful drive up to Charlottesville to attend the GENEDGE board meeting where I serve as a board member. GENEDGE is made up of a team of experienced industry leaders who create innovative solutions for manufacturers in Virginia. Members of the GENEDGE Alliance have access to a wide array of resources and tool, like consultations with a GENEDGE Manufacturing Expert, to support their business’s innovation, growth, and competitiveness.
DCC held its monthly ‘All-College’ meeting where faculty and staff came together to hear from Hollie Adams and Rachel Del Campo Gatewood from River District Consulting and learn more about the results of the campus-wide Clifton StrengthFinders Assessment. Employees had the chance to examine their own results and complete several exercises that highlight their own strengths and attributes. It is exciting to see our faculty and staff learning more about themselves, and how we can better support one another through our own personal strengths.
On another ‘People & Places’ tour on March 23, we visited Maurice Royster, Manager of Government Affairs with Mountain Valley Pipeline; Ron Giannini, Vice President of Business Development with Commonwealth Home Health Care; Jesse Tate of Kickback Jack’s; Darell Oakes, Plant Manager at EIT; and Mike Carey of Jarrett Welding to listen and learn about the needs of these organizations in our region.
On March 24, DCC hosted seniors from the Pittsylvania County Public School System for an exciting ‘Knight for a Day’ event. More than 80 students were able to experience a day in the life of a DCC college student and learn more about the many resources available to make higher education accessible, affordable, and fun! Students also had a chance to meet the official DCC Prez Pup – Ace! If you haven’t already, give Ace a follow on Instagram - @DCCPREZPUP. We promise to keep the fame from going to his head.
Later that day, I made my way to Danville Public Schools to present to the DPS executive leadership program. I was invited to share my leadership journey, how to engage employees and my leadership strategies. The group was very engaged and we had a great time working through one of my favorite team awareness activities.
The DCC Knight Spirit was on full display on March 23 as judging took place for the 'Knight Spirit Challenge'. DCC's various departments were challenged to show off their college pride by decorating their offices and doorways in school colors and themes. Congratulations to Graphic Imaging (1st place), the Business Office (2nd place), and Student Services (3rd place)!
DCC was also represented at the Goodwill of the Valley’s Public Board Meeting held at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research on March 23. Dr. Cornelius Johnson spoke on behalf of DCC regarding the many events and initiatives on the horizon in the coming months.
On the evening of March 28, Danville Community College held its inaugural ‘Workforce Viewpoint’ event where more than 100 business and industry representative gathered at the Danville Golf Club to hear from the DCC Workforce Services Division about customized training and professional development for their employees. Attendees were given the opportunity to offer feedback during the event, giving Mark Funky, VP of Workforce Services, their specific workforce needs on the spot. During the event, the DCC Educational Foundation presented the first-ever ‘Industry Partner Award’ to Ryland Clark and Hitachi Energy for their community involvement and close partnership with DCC. Congratulations, Hitachi Energy!
Leadership from DCC headed off to Roanoke on March 29 to attend the VCCS New Horizons Annual Conference. New Horizons has evolved into the premiere teaching and learning conference that focuses heavily on student success. This year, the conference is built around five key areas that supports the VCCS strategic focus: communication, high-impact practices, culture of care, workforce development, and financial aid.
After the conclusion of the New Horizons Conference, Shannon Hair, VP of Institutional Advancement and Development and Executive Director of the DCC Educational Foundation, and I stuck around Roanoke to record an episode of ‘Virginia’s Virginians’ – a new PBS podcast, where we were able to share all of the exciting things going on at DCC.
On March 31, DCC hosted a Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony in Oliver Hall on the DCC Campus. Twice per academic year, we hold a ceremony to recognize these high-achieving students and formally induct them in to the DCC Phi Theta Kappa Chapter, Upsilon Phi. We are continually impressed and humbled by the excellence and service that these students bring to our campus.
April is shaping up to be just as eventful as March as we plan and prepare for a visit from the new VCCS Chancellor Dr. David Doré. On April 13, Dr. Doré will come to the DCC campus to hold several Q&A and open forum sessions with faculty, staff, advisory board members, and the press. We look forward to meeting our new Chancellor and showing him all of the wonderful things that DCC has to offer the communities we serve.
Our ‘Staff Social Committee’ is gearing up for a day of fun, food, fellowship – and a little healthy competition. On April 14, the DCC faculty and staff will participate in an afternoon of outdoor games like horseshoes, relay races, corn hole, and even a kickball game against our students. Later that evening, we will return to campus with our families to enjoy an outdoor movie night – Minions, anyone?
As always, I want to express my gratitude to the communities that we serve. No matter where I go, I feel the warm, welcoming hospitality of the people who live and work here. You have made my role at DCC easier with your kindness and support. If you see me out and about, please say hello! I’d love to meet you!
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