FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOTS OF ENHANCEMENTS ARE IN STORE THIS YEAR FOR STUDENTS

DANVILLE, VA, August 22, 2007 – From new programs of study to enhanced student activities and building projects, there’s a lot in store for Danville Community College students as they return to campus this fall. Dr. Chris Ezell, Vice President for Academic and Student Services, says these efforts are part of the college’s commitment to enhancing student learning and success.

“This year, DCC students will see three new construction projects! This is something that has never before happened,” Ezell says. “The new programs this fall are the result of demand from the community, and with guidance from the curriculum advisory committees.”

New Programs

Of the many new programs, Dr. Edward White, Dean, Business and Engineering Technologies Division, says two additional short-term training programs - Summer Air Conditioning and Refrigeration and Winter Air Conditioning will be offered. Both are Certificate programs, which mean they can be completed in one year of full-time study. Both are pending approval by the State Board for Community Colleges. The college also offers a one year Certificate in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Servicing.

 “These programs are ‘stepping stones’ and build upon each other. Traditional students who are just graduating from high school or nontraditional students who are entering the college scene after many years of working in a factory setting may be interested in these programs,” White adds. “They give them a start in the right direction toward a higher education.”

Dr. Wade Davenport, Dean, Arts and Sciences Division, says new programs also include the Spanish Interpreter Career Studies Certificate and the Title II Developer Program.

Davenport explains the new Spanish Interpreter program will prepare students to speak Spanish fluently. He explains that the program combines the traditional Spanish courses with conversational Spanish in an intensive eight-week cycle. After the students complete the eight-week Spanish courses, they can select an occupational area of interest, such as Spanish for Law Enforcement, Spanish in Allied Health and/or Spanish for Court. Davenport says the Spanish Interpreter program is also open to students with Liberal Arts majors, as well. The courses in the curriculum will count toward humanities and fine arts electives.

Another new opportunity for DCC’s students will be the Title III Developer Program, says Davenport. This program calls for experimental four-week modules in language arts and algebra to help students satisfy their developmental studies requirements.

“The language arts module combines developmental reading and writing, tutoring and feedback, therefore it allows students to successfully satisfy their developmental requirements in a more efficient manner,” Davenport adds. “The language arts course has had very good results in its initial year because it focuses on the concept of mastery learning. It features less material at a given time for a student, but the student must perform on a higher level.”

The success of the language arts module under the Title III Developer Program has prompted a new Algebra II module Davenport says. Students take an assessment to determine in which module they should begin.

“The additional assessments allow us to place the students in the correct module by recognizing their areas of need,” says Davenport.

DCC has also established group tutoring areas on campus that are equipped with computers with the software Modu Math. To assist students, all tutoring services on the DCC campus are offered free of charge. In addition, the college has a Level I internationally-certified tutor training program that is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA).

Finally, Davenport adds that new physical education courses will be offered in the newly-renovated Womack Building (formerly home to the Museum of Natural History). He says DCC will expand the physical education courses to include self-defense courses, such as Tai chi and Self Defense for Women.

DCC goes one step further to help students better prepare for the workforce by adding two additional specializations under the Marketing program. Vincent Decker, Associate Professor of Business Management, says students may enroll in the new Warehousing and Distribution Specialization or the Electronic - Commerce (E-commerce) Specialization programs.

“The E-Commerce program is for anyone who has an interest in working in web design or any type of management position with a company that needs an expert in electronic commerce.” Decker says. “The Warehousing and Distribution Center Management program is designed to fill the needs of the many distribution center businesses locating in Danville, Pittsylvania and Halifax Counties.

Building on the success of its Middle College program, which assists young adults, ages 18-24 in obtaining their General Education Development (GED) certificate, learn valuable job skills by earning a Career Readiness Certificate and enroll in college courses, DCC is now offering a Middle College II program for adults 25 years of age and older. Middle College and Middle College II program services are offered free of charge to residents of Danville, Pittsylvania County, and Halifax County.

Building Projects

Dr. Chris Ezell, Vice President Academic and Student Services, says the three new building projects are: (1) Allied Health Building, a two-story signature building that will have “a unique design to fit the structure of the former Castle building and still blend into the modern look” of the present campus; (2) Student Center, located near the Charles R. Hawkins Engineering & Industrial Technologies (EIT) Building, will serve as a focal point for students to socialize, eat and study;  and (3). Maintenance Building, located behind the EIT Building, will be more modern and efficient and will house student records among other things. Construction of all three projects will begin near the end of the year or in January 2008.

“These new projects are going to be quite impressive,” Ezell adds.

Student Activities

But DCC does not stop there. The community college continues to rev things up with the new BMX Bike Club Sport, says Peter Castiglione, Director of Student Development and Enrollment Management.

“This is the largest and fastest sport in the U.S. at this time,” says Castiglione. “It is also the newest sport to be added to the Olympics.”

Another element of DCC’s fall preview is the expansion of services in the Career Center, says Howard Graves, Counselor. The Career Center helps students to make the connection between college and the workplace by advising students on resume writing, interview skills, job opportunities and career-orientated activities. He says students may stop by to browse the wide range of material or make an appointment with Christy Yaple, the Director, Tech Prep & Career Placement.

“Interest inventories and additional staff to work individually with students will help DCC to enhance the Career Center,” Graves explains. 

Most importantly, DCC has a greater awareness of campus safety, Graves notes. In the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, Graves says DCC, as other colleges across the nation, wants to ensure it has the necessary response teams and methods of communication in place in the event of an emergency. As a result, a second team of DCC employees will participate in Community Emergency Response Team (DCC CERT) training. Through the training, DCC personnel are better prepared to handle both natural and manmade disasters.

“We want to make sure that the students and staff are in a comfortable, safe environment,” Graves says. “We are looking forward to this new year. There’s lots of excitement ahead.

For more information about DCC, call 434.797.2222, or click here.