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Andrea J. Burney, APR

Director of Public Relations

Chad E. Adams

Public Relations & Marketing Specialist

STUDENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT - February 2007

Penny V. Davis

Administration of Justice

It had been over 20 years since Danville Community College student Penny V. Davis was in school. However, with the encouragement of her son, Thomas, she decided to enroll in the Administration of Justice program—Protective Services Specialization. She plans to transfer to Liberty University and seek a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources. Her goal is to advance at her current place of employment.

“My son was very supportive of me going to college. He inspired me to come to DCC. He said, ‘Mom, you can do it. I know you’ve been out of school for a while, but you can do it,’” Davis says with a smile.

While she is a first generation college student (meaning neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree), her son graduated from Ferrum College and is currently enrolled in a graduate program at Harvard University. Her son’s encouragement stemmed from his own positive experiences while he was a student at DCC. Davis adds DCC was also convenient.

“I chose DCC because it was close to home,” Davis explains. “It is affordable and you’ll receive the knowledge that you need to start or advance your career goals. DCC also prepares you for transfer to a four-year college or university.”

She plans to graduate in May with an Associate of Applied Science Degree. She hopes this additional credential will aid her as she seeks promotional opportunities at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, where she has worked for the past nine years.

“The main obstacle I faced was trying to work full-time and attend school,” says Davis. “My job requires a lot from me sometimes, leaving hardly any time for anything else.”

When she began classes at DCC, she says she was working 60-70 hours a week and still maintained a 4.0 overall grade point average. By managing her time more effectively and having support from her employer (Goodyear), she was able to overcome her challenges. With a better work schedule, she was able to continue taking on campus and online courses, but she admits that she had worries when she first enrolled in 2004.

“When I first came to DCC, I worried about being the oldest student in class. But I found out that was not the case,” says Davis. “The classrooms are filled with people of different age groups. The younger ones have different views, the middle age students have opinions slightly different than them, and the older ones have entirely different views that come with experience.”

She also enjoys traveling and meeting people at the American Criminal Justice Association’s regional and national conventions. Not only does the DCC Justice Club give students the opportunity to meet others in their field, but the Administration of Justice program has a great job placement rate, says Davis, who is president of the Justice Club.

The Administration of Justice program prepares individuals for careers in three specializations: law enforcement, corrections and protective services. Some of the occupational titles for graduates of the program include: Correctional Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Dispatcher, Jail Deputy, Military Police and Security Supervisor, plus many others. To receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Administration of Justice, students must complete 67-69 credits with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better.

“Administration of Justice is one field that is very easy to find a job,” says Davis. “I feel that all of the programs that DCC offers are great. There is something for everyone, no matter what your age.”

John Wilt, Associate Professor of Administration of Justice and the advisor for the Justice Club, agrees that the job placement rate for graduates is outstanding and says that Davis brings strong leadership skills to her role as president of the Justice Club.

“She is a wonderful, bright light in the Administration of Justice program,” says Wilt. “She is mature, hardworking and an excellent role model for other students.”

For more information about the Administration of Justice program, contact John Wilt at 434.797.8468, or click here.