FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC PROMOTES MAJOR INITIATIVE

FOR BACCALAUREATE TRANSFERS

            DANVILLE, VA., Sept. 11, 2006 – A major new initiative to greatly expand college transfer opportunities for students at Danville Community College has been unveiled.  Dr. B. Carlyle Ramsey, DCC President, said the new effort, called Baccalaureate Transfer Initiative, will create a transfer culture on the local campus.

            Ramsey says the Baccalaureate Transfer Initiative has been planned for some time as a response to a number of college and community concerns about the low educational attainment rates in this area. For example, Ramsey cited a 2000 U.S. Census Bureau report that indicates that nationwide the percentage of baccalaureate degree holders among adults over age 25 is 24.4 percent and 29.5 percent statewide; however, it is only 10.9 percent in the DCC service region of Danville, Halifax County, and Pittsylvania County. In addition, a recent Forbes.com study ranked the Danville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) as fifth from the bottom of its list in terms of educational attainment.

            “This is a very important initiative for us to significantly enhance our efforts to boost the transfer rates of our students,” Ramsey said. “Other national studies conducted by The Education Trust and the Lumina Foundation’s Achieving the Dream cite alarming statistics that have an impact our economic development and quality of life.”

            Ramsey also explained that a 2003 study released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) indicated that about 50 percent of community college students start with the intent to transfer to a four-year institution, but only half of that number (25 percent) actually transfers within six years.

            “While there are a number of extenuating factors, these are certainly sobering statistics. We believe we must do more to increase these percentages,” Ramsey said. “We know many students have plans to obtain a bachelor’s degree, but sometimes there is a disconnect in achieving their goals. DCC wants to make it easier for students to stay on track.”

            Ramsey added that the Baccalaureate Transfer Initiative has four main goals:

1.      Enhance the transfer partnerships with four-year colleges and universities.

            DCC already partners with a variety of in-state and out-of-state colleges to ensure a smooth transition between DCC and four-year institution. Ramsey said articulation agreements ensure that students do not lose credits in the transfer process, or have to repeat a community college course at the four-year institution. Currently, DCC, and/or the Virginia Community College System have nearly 30 articulation agreements with public and private colleges, such as Averett University, Longwood University and Old Dominion University. Ramsey said that the new initiative will strengthen those partnerships as well as create many new ones. He added that over the next few weeks, DCC will be signing new and enhanced agreements with area colleges.

2.      Increase the number of DCC students successfully transferring to four-year colleges and universities.

            Ramsey said DCC ranks in the top five within the Virginia Community College System when it comes to graduation rates. In the last three years, DCC has had 1,736 graduates. Yet, the transfer rate of DCC students continuing their education at four-year colleges in Virginia was 10.7 percent in 2003-04, while the system average was 22.7 percent. Ramsey is not satisfied with the number and wants the college to more than double the number of transfer students. One of the strategies, he said, could include increasing the number of transfer scholarship awards presented at graduation. In May 2006, awards totaling more than $43,000 were presented to 26 DCC graduates.

3.      Increase the number of persons within the area who have baccalaureate degrees.

            According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the percentage of high school graduates in the DCC service region is 66.5 percent, compared to 81.6 percent for the state, and 80.4 percent, nationally. Of those over the age of 25 who have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree is 13.9 percent in Danville, 9.5 percent in Halifax County, and 9.3 percent in Pittsylvania County. Ramsey said this disparity can impact residents in several areas because the economic benefits of a postsecondary education can improve the prospects of better wages and benefits, contribute to higher levels of employment with greater consistency, and provide greater personal and professional mobility. Likewise, the public benefits for higher educational attainment includes greater tax revenues, increased consumption, higher workforce productivity and flexibility, and less reliance on government assistance. 

4.      Create a greater awareness of the on-campus and off-campus transfer opportunities.

            Ramsey noted the initiative will be a proactive effort. College officials will ensure all students are aware of the opportunities available. The Baccalaureate Transfer Initiative will: 1). Assist students with academic advising and registration; 2). Provide information on DCC transfer courses; 3). Track academic progress while attending DCC; 3). Help connect students with the appropriate student services and academic offices at the transfer institution; 4). Assist with the application process; 5). Develop an academic plan to ensure degree requirements are met; 6). Provide career counseling; and 7). Create an awareness of scholarship opportunities.

            In addition, Ramsey said the college will host Transfer Days for four-year colleges and university representatives throughout the year, offer tours of transfer institutions, and hold workshops of interest for transfer students. Ramsey has charged Dr. Chris Ezell, Vice President of Academic and Student Services, with the responsibility of developing and managing the new initiative.

            “This is not only a local effort, but also a statewide initiative to increase the number of baccalaureate degree holders,” Ramsey said. “The (Virginia Community College System) Chancellor is very much interested in what the community college system can do as a whole to impact this concern through the “VCCS Dateline 2009” initiative. It is a major focus with our Achieving the Dream effort in which we are assisting low income, minority and first generation college students in reaching their educational goals. Finally, enhancing student learning and success is a major part of our Quality Improvement Plan for our regional accreditation efforts through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools,” Ramsey said. “We have many reasons to ensure the success of the Baccalaureate Transfer Initiative. But most of all we want to make every effort to see that students are successful – whether they are going into the workforce, or transferring to a four-year college or university.”

            For more information about DCC’s Baccalaureate Transfer Initiative, contact Dr. Chris Ezell, Vice President for Academic and Student Services, (434) 797-8410, or by email at cezell@dcc.vccs.edu.