Virginia Group Presents at International Conference
Two transitional education programs from Virginia were highlighted during the Association of Community College Trustees 39th Annual Leadership Conference held recently in New York City. Representatives from Southside Virginia Community College and the Virginia Community College System presented information about the exciting, innovative programs  of Middle College and Great Expectations to a large international group.
These programs are the brainchild of VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois and Virginia’s First Lady Ann Holton as a way to rescue “Throw Away Youth” also known as foster children.
Among the panelists was Derrick Cash, a foster child and Southside Virginia Community College student who is in the minority as a college student. Statistics show that less than three percent of foster children ever earn a college degree.
“Foster kids don’t have perspective,” said Cash. “We don’t think about the future.”
Cash is now working on earning an associate’s degree in human services at SVCC. Dr. John Cavan, SVCC President, has guaranteed Cash acceptance into a residential college upon his graduation.
These highly successful programs are at the core of the community college mission. Neither Dr. Cavan nor Dr. DuBois have forgotten their roots which were in New York City, with both being community college graduates and both dedicated to providing for the under-served and forgotten people in our society.
The Middle College program with four sites at SVCC focuses on young people ages 17-24 who have left high school before completion and need to work toward the GED. Goals of Great Expectations are to help youth complete high school and transition into higher education, to increase enrollment in Independent Living Programs, increase the number of foster youth who gain employment in desirable jobs and to pilot after school programs at community colleges for foster care youth.
Those making the presentation attended by more than 2,000 community college trustees, presidents and leaders held at the Marriott Marquis Times Square in New York are (Left to Right), Sandra Thompson, SVCC Middle College Director on the Daniel Campus, Derrick Cash, SVCC student, Dr. Glenn DuBois, VCCS Chancellor, and Dr. John J. Cavan, SVCC President. The basketball metaphor used by Dr. Cavan was that Dr. DuBois is the coach, Cavan is the point guard and Thompson is the “go-to” person who scores.
Of the students in the Southside Virginia Community College service area who have been identified as eligible for Great Expectations, 100% are now enrolled at SVCC.
Virginia
(c) 2008. Southside Virginia Community College. All rights reserved.
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