FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC RECEIVES $1.7 MILLION GRANT

FOR FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS PROGRAM

            DANVILLE, VA, September 16, 2004 – Danville Community College has received a $1,720,840 Title III grant from the U.S Department of Education aimed at improving student success and creating more educational opportunities. The announcement was made today by Fifth District Congressman Virgil Goode. The funds are part of the Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program, which assists eligible institutions of higher education to become self-sufficient by providing grants to improve and strengthen academic quality and institutional, management, and fiscal stability.
            “This grant will have a significant impact at the College – in that we will be able to strengthen developmental studies,” said DCC President Dr. B. Carlyle Ramsey. “Our goal will be to increase the educational success rate of students requiring fundamental skills acquired through development studies coursework.”
            Ramsey added the college will receive approximately $344,168 per year over the next five years. Primary focus of the grant is the creation of a fundamental skills program that would integrate developmental studies course content into a modular structure. Ramsey said research by the college shows that more than 50 percent of entering program-placed students need refresher courses in English, mathematics or writing, as indicated by college’s placement testing. The modules are designed for students to complete the course content at their own pace before moving to the next module.

            In addition to creating the modules for students, faculty and staff will have opportunities for professional development and to research best practices in the area of basic skills education. A Summer Institute training program also will be developed. The grant proposes to serve 1,670 students.

            College research shows that in Fall 2003, 43% of 1480 students tested were placed in developmental reading, 57% of 1501 test takers were placed in developmental writing; and 92% of 1537 students tested were placed in developmental mathematics. The national average is 20 percent, 23 percent and 35 percent respectively. Ramsey noted the college has an aggressive outreach program and provides access to all students who have the ability to benefit.

            “Many of our students have been out of school for sometime, and need refresher courses prior to entering their program of study,” Ramsey said. “There is a high frustration level when you return to school after being away for 5, 10 or even 15 years. We want all of our students to be successful in achieving their goals.”

            Ramsey added the college has developed ambitious, but attainable annual goals over the next five years for student success with the project that includes constant evaluation of the program and the commitment of college resources.
            The grant money, to be awarded over the next five years, provides project staff, including new Title III Project Co-Directors Laura M. Powell, Associate Professor of Reading, and Gail B. Neal, Instructor of Mathematics. The two will receive release time from current responsibilities to develop the project. Other new staff to be employed include the following: (1) Educational Psychologist - whose responsibilities will involve developing placement instruments for the modular curriculum and assessing the learning styles of students in the curriculum; (2) Two full-time developmental studies faculty for English and Mathematics, to cover classes normally taught by Powell and Neal; (3) Instructional Mentors and (4)  Tutors.

            Powell, who has been an educator for more than 30 years, received a bachelor of arts in Elementary Education from Stratford College, a master’s degree in Reading Specialization from Averett University, and an Educational Specialist degree in Developmental Education from Appalachian State University. She came to DCC in 1994 and in 2004 was named Outstanding Teacher by the Student Government Association.

            Neal has more than 40 years experience in education. She received a bachelor of science in mathematics from Wake Forest University, and a master’s degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Georgia. She completed a Developmental Education Specialist program in 2003, sponsored by the Kellogg Institute.
            As the Title III co-directors, they will be responsible for communicating project objectives to all constituents of Danville Community College, coordinating and evaluating program activities, monitoring the completion of project objectives, and establishing a Summer Training Institute. They will also recruit and coordinate the work of key personnel and serve as liaisons between project activity and faculty and students.

            Ramsey said the grant writing team was lead by Dr. Wade Davenport, Dean, Arts and Sciences Division, and Martha Walker, Director of Institutional Advancement.

            “I want to express my thanks and appreciation to the writing team for this proposal, and especially to Dr. Davenport for his vision for this proposal,” Ramsey added. “We will begin implementation of this project in the Spring Semester 2005.”

            Danville Community College is one of 23 colleges in the Virginia Community College System. The college’s service region includes the City of Danville, Halifax County and Pittsylvania County. More than 6,500 students attend classes annually on the college’s main campus, in area high schools (dual enrollment), through Distance Learning (video and web-based), at the Riddle Center in Gretna, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in South Boston, the Danville Area Technology Center, Dan River Business Development Center, or at one of six Neighborhood Educational Opportunity Centers strategically located in Danville (Camp Grove, North Main, Cardinal Village and Liberty View); Pittsylvania County ( Cascade); and Halifax County (Volens).