FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC RECEIVES GRANT TO CONTINUE          

DANVILLE, VA., August 21, 2006 -- Danville Community College, in cooperation with Patrick

 Henry Community College, has been awarded $1,032,000 in funds over the next five years from the U. S. Department of Education to continue its successful Southern Piedmont Educational Opportunity Center (SPEOC), it was announced today by Congressman Virgil Goode at a news conference held at DCC. The Center is one of two in the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of 139 such centers funded nationwide.

            As a Federal TRIO program, the SPEOC provides educational opportunities for low income adults and potential first generation college students 19 years of age or older who do not have the academic or economic resources to pursue a postsecondary education. The U.S. Department of Education defines a potential first generation college student as an individual neither of whose parents received a baccalaureate degree.  The SPEOC was first established in 2002-03. Since that time, the Center has served more than 4,300 college-bound students in seven area jurisdictions.

"We are pleased that this is another five-year grant," Ramsey said. "That means our proposal was funded in the top 10 percent of all grants awarded by the U. S. Department of Education. We will receive $220,000 each year for this grant. This is extremely good news for this area because the SPEOC has been very effective in getting out information on financial aid and post secondary educational opportunities."

The SPEOC provides postsecondary education information and assistance in the application process to residents in seven jurisdictions, including Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Patrick and Pittsylvania Counties, and the Cities of Danville and Martinsville. There is a high need for a program such as this because of the high number of low-income families and the low college-going rate of residents in this area. According to the 2000 U.S. Census for this area, approximately 42 percent of the population lives below the poverty level as defined by the U. S. Department of Education. In addition, only eight (8) percent of the adults over the age of 25 years have a baccalaureate degree or higher.

The Southern Piedmont Educational Opportunity Center provides admissions and financial aid information to residents interested in pursuing higher education. In addition, guidance in the selection of career options and programs of study is also offered. Taylor Farris of Martinsville is one example of the many residents helped by the Southern Piedmont Educational Opportunity Center. Farris, a first generation college student, was unsure of the process for obtaining his educational goals. After working with the SPEOC staff, he is now enrolled in DCC’s Liberal Arts/College Transfer program and looking forward to graduation in May 2007.

“This program was a real help to me and continues to be a big help,” Farris said.

SPEOC Director Cathy H. Conner recognizes the need for programs like this one and encourages residents to continue the learning process.

“Because of grants and financial aid, I was able to pursue my educational goals, so I recognize how important it is for others to be able to pursue their educational goals,” said Conner, who explains she also is a first generation college student who got her start at DCC.

The main office of the SPEOC is located in Danville at DCC, with satellite locations at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, and at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in South Boston. The SPEOC staff also works with area public and social service agencies to inform the communities about the services available.

For more information about the SPEOC, contact Cathy H. Conner, SPEOC Director, at 434. 797.8576.