News from around the VCCS
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Chancellor’s Statewide Syllabus with logo
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
In this issue:
• Get ready for the hugging; in-person graduations are back!
• PTK scholars luncheon reveals more than good grades
• Community College donors honored for their generosity
• PVCC to get first new president since 1999
• Pew Charitable Trusts says VCCS workforce programs have led the way for the nation
• SVCC’s veteran power line instructor spotlighted
• TNCC will expand its sports program
• Other News from the world of Higher Ed
• VCCS events calendar link
After a two-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, in-person graduations are back on this spring at Virginia’s Community Colleges. Preparations for the events are underway, and we’ve collected some essential information about schedules, etc.
(https://www.vccs.edu/blog/in-person-graduations-are-back-for-spring-2022-at-virginias-community-colleges/)
It’s called the All-Virginia Academic Team…made up of top scholars from community colleges across the state. Dozens of VCCS students and graduates made their way to Richmond last week for an honors luncheon sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges. What sets these PTK members apart is not just their good grades, but the obstacles that some have overcome.
(https://www.vccs.edu/blog/phi-theta-kappa-event-reveals-more-than-just-academic-achievements-by-students-at-virginias-community-colleges/)
They’ve donated millions of dollars to boost student success at Virginia’s Community Colleges. And last week, they were recognized for their generosity at the 16th Annual Chancellor’s Awards for Leadership in Philanthropy.
(https://www.vccs.edu/blog/community-college-philanthropists-honored-with-16th-chancellors-award-for-leadership-in-philanthropy/)
Dr. Jean Runyon has been hired as the next president at Piedmont Virginia Community College. In July, she’ll succeed Frank Friedman, who has served as PVCC president since 1999. Runyon has worked in higher education in Maryland and Colorado and has been a successful leader in transfer education and efforts to connect adult learners with short-term training programs. “We want to offer Dr. Runyon our warmest welcome. We are excited to begin working with her this summer and welcoming her into the PVCC family,” said Lola Richardson, chair of the PVCC College Board.
(https://www.pvcc.edu/news/2022/04/21/pvcc-announces-dr-jean-runyon-sixth-president)
“Among the states and college systems expanding their workforce training programs, Virginia often is cited as the premiere model. Well before the pandemic, the state’s FastForward initiative credentialed nurse aides, commercial drivers and other high-demand workers in six- to 12-week community college courses.” Stateline, an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts, takes a big picture look at efforts around the nation to boost workforce and career training, and spotlights programs at Virginia’s Community Colleges that have led the way.
(https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2022/04/14/states-look-to-community-colleges-to-fill-labor-gap)
“I came here because I believed in the program, and because I love leading young people in the right direction. I do what I do because I love it.” Clyde Robertson, lead instructor at the Southside Virginia Community College Power Line Worker Program, is spotlighted in the April 5 edition of Cooperative Living magazine, published by the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives for their more than two million co-op members. SVCC established Virginia’s first Power Line Worker program in 2016 and Robertson has helped guide more than 375 students to solid careers in the utilities industry.
(https://vmdaec.com/pr/powerful-careers-clyde-robertson-southside-electric-cooperative/)
Thomas Nelson (becoming Virginia Peninsula) Community College is expanding its sports programs. Thomas Nelson president Porter Brannon announced that through a $500,000 grant from the school’s educational foundation, six teams will be added in the next three years. The college’s soon-to-be-hired new athletics director will help shape the expansion. Thomas Nelson currently sponsors baseball and men’s and women’s basketball. Softball and women’s volleyball will be added for 2022-23, the other four sports haven’t been decided.
(https://tncc.edu/news/college-celebrates-sports-teams-will-add-more)
Other Higher Ed News of Note:
• Colleges and universities across the country are planning extra graduation ceremonies this spring to make up for events postponed during the pandemic. -Inside Higher Education (https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2022/04/26/mega-graduations-celebrate-classes-thwarted-covid-19) (free sign-up required)
• President Biden is looking at different options to forgive an unspecified but substantial amount of federal student loan debt — a move that would thrill some of his most loyal supporters and financially strapped students nationwide, but is a departure from campaign pledges to provide limited relief. -CBS News (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-options-forgiving-student-loan-debt/)
• New survey: cost and stress are keeping people from enrolling in higher education. -Fast Company (https://www.fastcompany.com/90745345/what-stops-students-from-finishing-college-surprise-its-high-cost-and-high-stress)
• University of Lynchburg holds ceremony acknowledging that it occupies land that belonged to the Monacan Indians, announces scholarship earmarked for members of the Monacan Nation. -Lynchburg News & Advance (https://newsadvance.com/news/local/university-of-lynchburg-holds-monacan-land-acknowledgement-ceremony-announces-new-scholarship/article_7ef24c1a-a959-11ec-8fbb-23c4a0ea7fc3.html)
• Virginia Tech student affairs VP Frank Shushok, Jr. will become Roanoke College president in July. -Virginia Business Magazine (https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/roanoke-college-selects-next-president/)
• Virginia Tech will pay student-athletes for their “academic progress” starting in the fall 2022 semester. Each athlete could receive almost $6,000 a year, under rules adopted by the NCAA. -WRIC TV (http://https//www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/virginia-tech-to-pay-student-athletes-for-academic-progress/#:~:text=BLACKSBURG%2C%20Va.,the%20NCAA%20in%20August%202020)
• Debate continues over what W&L should do about the on-campus chapel that’s also the resting place of Civil War general Robert E. Lee. -WSET TV (https://wset.com/news/local/petition-washington-and-lee-university-robert-e-lee-chapel-confederate-civil-war-generals-redoubt-kamron-spivey-lexington-virginia-rockbridge-county-national-historic-landmark)
• Want a big crowd at your next graduation? Just arrange to have Taylor Swift as your commencement speaker. -Inside Higher Education (https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2022/04/14/taylor-swift-fans-desperately-seek-nyu-commencement-tickets?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=dfb899d70f-DNU_2021_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-dfb899d70f-236883098&mc_cid=dfb899d70f&mc_eid=45771dc9f2) (free sign-up required)
Have an idea for a story, or an item for the VCCS Events Calendar? Please send to: vccsnewsletter@vccs.edu (mailto:vccsnewsletter@vccs.edu) . Thanks!
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