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Andrea J. Burney, APR

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Chad E. Adams

Public Relations & Marketing Specialist

STUDENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT - June 2007

Isaac Booth

Business Administration

He used to stare at numbers and had no idea how to solve equations for class. That all changed when Danville Community College student Isaac Booth of Cascade, enrolled in a learning community which changed his attitude about numbers and made him a successful math student. He has been so successful that now he is a math tutor—sharing his knowledge with others.

“I hated math in high school,” explains Booth, 20, a graduate of Martinsville High School. “When I came to DCC, I had a math deficiency and it was recommended that I enroll in one of the college’s learning communities. I had the same teacher, same class, same room and same classmates. It helped me rebuild my foundation in math which I should have gotten in middle school.”

Learning communities link two or more classes together with a common theme to help with student learning. Students in learning communities explore how these themes can be addressed by different disciplines and with a peer support network.

“As a result of the learning community, I became more confident in solving complex problems,” he continues. “Math really became something that I enjoy, and it’s a possibility that I may minor in math when I transfer to a four-year college.”

Booth, who is majoring in Business Administration, learned that solving problems without the aid of a calculator has helped him learn math more efficiently.

“A calculator doesn’t do you any good (when learning) if you don’t know how to arrive at the end result of an equation,” explains Booth, who plans to transfer to Ferrum College and major in Computer Information Systems after he completes his DCC studies in spring 2008.

He notes that his father, Richard Booth, a DCC alumnus, played a major role in his decision to enroll in Fall 2005. Isaac Booth recalls that his father had all good things to say about the college, such as the experienced faculty and staff, quality programs, and the fact that DCC is close to home and affordable. Booth says that he shared the same experiences as his father and adds that DCC has prepared him for transfer to Ferrum.

“I find computers really fascinating and fixing them to be a fun journey,” Booth says, describing his interest in computers. “I took an IST (Information Systems Technology) class during my junior year of high school and absolutely loved it. Now I’m in college, and I think the classes I’m taking in the Business Administration program are well suited for me and will easily transfer to Ferrum.”

DCC’s Business Administration program prepares students for transfer to a four-year college or university by providing the first two years of a baccalaureate degree program. A minimum of 62 credits must be completed before an Associate of Arts and Science Degree is received.

Booth, who maintained a 3.2 cumulative grade point average, was inducted in Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. He was named the Service Co-chair and was recently elected Secretary. He also received the Outstanding Member Award for Phi Theta Kappa.

“It’s an honor for me to be a part of Phi Theta Kappa,” Booth admits. “In high school, I was unable to do a lot of extracurricular activities because of my job. When I came to DCC, I wanted to be involved in a club or organization. By joining Phi Theta Kappa, I am now heavily involved in helping DCC and the community, and I just love it!”

He notes that his success is a result of aid from many professors, such as Betty Hall, Instructor of Developmental English.

“Isaac’s positive experiences and success as a DCC student have contributed to his willingness to take on new responsibilities and challenges and to encourage other students to believe that persistence and hard work lead to success,” Hall says.

For more information about DCC Learning Communities or the Business Administration program, contact the college at 434.797.2222; toll free: 800.560.4291; or click here.