HENDERSON, NC (February 28, 2024) — In recognition of Black History Month, Vance-Granville Community College in partnership with Gateway Community Development Corporation proudly presented its second annual Black Business & Non-Profit Organization Award Ceremony on Friday, February 23.

 

The goal was to recognize the rich contributions Black-owned businesses and non-profit organizations have made to local quality of life—not just for the area’s Black residents but for all who call the community home. Organized by the College’s Small Business Center, this year’s event specifically focused on organizations based in Granville County. The county’s Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Development Authority also served as planners and presenters for the ceremony.

 

“It was important to recognize these Black-owned businesses,” explained Heather Joi Kenney, president/CEO of Gateway CDC and co-moderator of the award ceremony. “Shining a light on them shows them that we support them and recognize how important they are to our community.”

 

The atmosphere was one of celebration and camaraderie as friends and neighbors gathered to reflect on the hard work behind each organization. The ceremony took place at The Orpheum at Oxford, a renovated event space occupying a century-old downtown theater. Attendees enjoyed a lunch catered by Family Diner, one of this year’s honorees.

 

Twelve award winners were recognized across three categories: Legacy organizations, which have been in operation at least 10 years but often much longer; Established organizations, in operation 5–10 years; and Start-Up organizations, which are less than 5 years old.

 

The day’s festivities concluded with an award celebrating one special guest’s achievements. Honoree Harry Mills retired last September after nearly a decade as the county’s Economic Development director; prior to that role, he served as a social worker for Granville County Senior Services. Under Mills’ leadership, Granville County experienced unprecedented growth in commercial and residential development, attracted new industries and employers, and improved workforce development programs with VGCC and Granville County Public Schools.

 

Mills’ acceptance address was a testament to the local friends, loved ones, and institutions that supported him throughout his years of dedicated services. He concluded with a challenge to his fellow winners to remain focused on helping their community: “Let’s leave no one behind.”

 

Since initiating the awards ceremony in 2023, Vance-Granville Community College has planned to incorporate it into its Black History Month festivities annually, rotating its focus each year to a different part of the College’s service area. The 2025 event will take place in either Franklin or Warren County.

 

2024 AWARD RECIPIENTS

 

Start-Up (less than 5 years)

· Drug-Free Coalition of Granville County

· Naturally Nourished Tutoring LLC

· Oxford’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor

· Tru Soul Food Kitchen

 

Established (5–10 years)

· Family Diner

· Plumpeez Deli

· The Help Center NC

· Uptown Bar & Restaurant

 

Legacy (more than 10 years)

· Baton Rouge Cuisine

· Essential Massage

· Faison Plumbing Plus

· McCoy’s Taxi

 

Special Recognition: Harry Mills

 

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About Vance-Granville Community College: Established in 1969, VGCC is one of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System. With a service area the size of Rhode Island, VGCC is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. VGCC offers more than 40 curriculum programs, as well as Continuing Education, High School Equivalency, and Adult High School Diploma programs.

 

Contact: Courtney Cissel, Public Information Officer | cisselc@vgcc.edu • 252-738-3484

 

Leading global aerospace firm, Ontic, whose Creedmoor site is home to well-known brands Firstmark, Aircraft Belts Inc., and Twin Commander, has donated $5,000 to the Autism Society of North Carolina - Granville County Support Group after Kyle Margeson, a member of Ontic’s team in Creedmoor, won the company’s fiercely contested Global Mario Kart Challenge.

 

After holding local qualifiers in the summer, the two winners from each of Ontic’s main sites (Creedmoor, NC; Chatsworth, CA; and two sites in the UK) battled it out in the company’s now annual Mario Kart tournament at the end of last year. It was a very tight race, where over 300 people gathered in cafeterias and on a livestream to cheer on their colleagues. Kyle Margeson, based at Ontic in Creedmoor, came out victorious and took home the coveted trophy.

 

As well as bragging rights, Kyle won $5,000 for Ontic Creedmoor’s chosen charity, the Autism Society of North Carolina - Granville County Support Group. Kyle said: “The work of the Autism Society of North Carolina means a lot to many of us here in Creedmoor. I’m very supportive of their Granville County Support Group and passionate about supporting the autism community. I'm glad that we were able to raise money to help bring awareness and support for families of autistic children and adults. As someone with autistic friends, I hope our contributions will go a long way to helping spread awareness and support in this community.”

 

On top of the $5,000 ‘winner’s’ check, the entry fees from Creedmoor are also being donated to the Autism Society of North Carolina.

 

Joshua Florio, General Manager of the Creedmoor site for Ontic said: “Supporting our local communities is really important to us at Ontic. We run regular events to raise money for a variety of charities, including toy drives and food drives, and we’re proud to have a local Corporate Responsibility team on each site who are always looking out for ways to raise money and ensure members of Team Ontic have fun while they’re doing it.

 

“It’s an exciting time for Ontic in Creedmoor as we recently doubled the size of our facility after significant works last year. We’re all set with the extension now and ready to take on more work and significantly increase the size of our team as Ontic continues to invest in new licenses around the globe.”

 

Michael Hooker, The Autism Society of North Carolina’s Development Associate who came to Ontic to receive the cheque said: “This contribution from Ontic will help so many of our families in Granville County. We are so thankful for the support from local community groups like yourselves. On behalf of the families we serve, thank you.” 

 

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About Ontic Ontic is a leading global aerospace OEM, providing complex engineered parts and repair services for established aircraft in the defense and commercial market.

 

Boasting a portfolio of 7,500+ top-level assemblies, Ontic is proud to work with our customers around the globe, with our team of experts delivering a wide variety of critical technologies, including fuel measurement systems, as well as a range of avionics, cockpit instruments and controls.

 

With over 45 years of product manufacturing and aftermarket support experience, Ontic has operations across North America, UK & Europe, and Asia providing strategic worldwide support to civil and defense customers when and where it is needed.

 

Contact Natalie Doel Global Marcomms Lead T: +44 7564 575303 E: natalie.doel@ontic.com W: www.ontic.com  

HENDERSON, NC (February 16, 2024) — Vance-Granville Community College proudly announces the launch of its new Court Reporting program this spring. When classes begin at the college’s Franklin Campus in March 2024, VGCC will become the only community college in North Carolina offering this fast-paced program.

 

The court reporting profession plays a critical role in ensuring that legal proceedings are accurately documented for future reference. Using specialized dictation equipment, court reporters produce real-time transcriptions of courtroom proceedings. At the time of publication, there are open reporting positions in North Carolina state courts with annual starting salaries above $45,000 and maximum salaries surpassing $80,000 per year.

 

Vance-Granville has implemented Court Reporting as a Continuing Education program, meaning that it is designed to be completed by adults who are already in the workforce; participants can successfully complete the training for their new career without the demands of a full-time class schedule. This particular program consists of four courses, each of which typically lasts four to eight weeks. According to Instructor Richard Jester, students committed to an accelerated pace could potentially complete the full program in the span of a single semester. Upon completion, students will be prepared to take the career’s national certification test.

 

At its launch, the new program will only be offered at the VGCC Franklin Campus in Louisburg. Jester anticipates offering portions of the program online in the future.

 

To learn more about Court Reporting and other career-enhancing programs at Vance-Granville Community College, please contact Lisa Rodwell, Director of Occupational Extension, at rodwelle@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3276. Register for this program today at www.vgcc.edu/coned/oex.

 

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About Vance-Granville Community College: Established in 1969, VGCC is one of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System. With a service area the size of Rhode Island, VGCC is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. VGCC offers more than 40 curriculum programs, as well as Continuing Education, High School Equivalency, and Adult High School Diploma programs.

 

Contact: Courtney Cissel, Public Information Officer cisselc@vgcc.edu • 252-738-3484

 

OXFORD, NC, February 12, 2024 – Granville Health System has announced its fourth quarter winner of the DAISY award. Crystal Paynter, BSN, RN was awarded The DAISY Award® on February 2, 2024. Crystal, a nurse in our Surgical Services department, was nominated for the DAISY Award by a coworker.

 

“Crystal had been granted her request for a day off to go on a field trip with her daughter. She knew we were going to be busy, so she contacted our Coordinator to volunteer to come to work for a few hours in the morning to help us out. On this morning a pediatric patient came to the recovery room in severe respiratory distress. Crystal was not assigned to recovery duties that day but saw that this patient needed help. She immediately took over, taking care of the needs of this patient while the recovery room nurse monitored vital signs and charted. Crystal tended to the needs of this patient, holding the patient in her lap, cared for the patient as if it was her own child, and made the patient as comfortable as possible until the patient’s oxygen levels had improved. When Crystal saw that the patient was stable, she turned the patient over to the parents before finally leaving to go do her duties of being a mom to her daughter. I feel like God put Crystal right where she needed to be to help this tiny patient AND this grateful coworker!”

 

The Award is part of The DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. Granville Health System is among many healthcare organizations participating in The DAISY Award program.

 

“It is my honor to present this well-deserved DAISY Award to Crystal,” said Ann Marie Holtzman-Wheeler, Chief Nursing Officer, Granville Health System. “She has demonstrated compassionate nursing care, and we are grateful for her commitment to care for our patients in the communities that we serve.”

 

Nurses are nominated by patients, families, and colleagues from Granville Health System. To submit an online nomination form, click here, or visit the GHS website at www.ghsHospital.org.

 

About Granville Health System:

For over a century, Granville Health System has been at the forefront of quality healthcare. To cater to the evolving needs of its community, Granville Health System has extended its services throughout Granville County, ensuring convenient medical care access for its residents. The Granville Health System main campus can be found at 1010 College Street, Oxford, North Carolina. For more details, visit GHS online at www.ghsHospital.org.

 

 

For media inquiries, please contact:

Lauren B. Roberson

919-690-3180 lbroberson@granvillemedical.com

 

Vance-Granville Community College is proud to announce that 154 students earned President’s List academic honors and another 189 earned Dean’s List academic honors during the fall 2023 semester, which ended in December. Congratulations to these students for all their hard work!

 

The President’s List recognizes students who achieved a perfect 4.0 quality point average while carrying a full load (12 credit hours or more) in 100-level or higher courses leading to a diploma or degree. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must earn a quality point average of at least 3.5 but less than 4.0 and have no grade lower than “B,” while carrying a full load of courses as described above.

 

Fall Semester President’s List honorees are listed below by program of study and then by residence. The Dean’s List follows the President’s List.

 

Accounting & Finance:

Shannon M. Currin-Wilkerson and Paige Nixon, both of Henderson;

Deanna C. Gordon of Norlina;

Delbar Sarwari of Youngsville

 

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology:

Marvin Y. Alvarado Romero of Henderson

 

Associate in Arts:

Saylor M. Gray of Bullock;

Noah B. King of Butner;

Brenda G. Euceda-Colindres, Ethan W. Frank, and Natalie R. Panganiban, all of Creedmoor;

Spencer R. Addison and Jena S. Schneller, both of Franklinton;

Launtica H. Brown, LauNtina H. Brown, Jiya C. Davis, Christina A. Dobbs, Aliayah D. Superville, Kayla U. Terry, and Alexandria J. White, all of Henderson;

MacIe E. Fleming and MacKenzie R. Stallings, both of Macon;

Yahir Hernandez-Garcia of Oxford;

Madison V. Eaton, Anna A. Fields, and Caitlyn L. Lister, all of Wake Forest;

Kristen K. Labra-Franco of Warrenton;

Kayla A. Puca of Youngsville

 

Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts:

Abigail G. Shaeffer of Franklinton;

Abigail E. Atkinson and Yandel Hernandez-Garcia, both of Oxford

 

Associate in Science:

Alexandra K. Brantley of Bunn;

Lydia M. Lewis of Butner;

Leilah R. Allen, Isabella C. Bechtel, McKenzie S. Chamberlain, and Brooke M. Woodcock, all of Creedmoor;

Alaija N. Alexander, Damian Daniel, and Christopher T. Grainger, all of Franklinton;

Jeremy S. Ivey, Matthew M. Lamey, and Marie P. O'Donoghue, all of Henderson;

Kitt M. Story of Louisburg;

Clariza Ramirez of Macon;

William X. Short of Norlina;

Andrew M. Arnott, Bryan M. Bautista, Evan S. Daniel, Grayson B. Gaul, Emma B. Powers, and Declan E. Sellers, all of Oxford;

Brady C. Eaton of Wake Forest;

Aubrey R. Campbell and Allison D. Sandell, both of Youngsville;

Haley J. Jones of Zebulon

 

Automotive Systems Technology:

Austin E. House of Henderson

 

Automotive Systems Technology Diploma:

Marcus D. Pierce of Franklinton;

Nicholas P. Wincovich of Louisburg

 

Business Administration:

Caden S. Klick of Raleigh;

Holder A. Mills of Wake Forest;

Logan Kurth of Youngsville

 

College Transfer Pathway:

Kathryn C. Folger and Logan M. Hite, both of Bullock;

Delaney M. Lowery, Karen V. Lucas-Rebollar, and Margaret G. McIlroy, all of Franklinton;

Kendall Ayscue, Noah A. Bean, Kaylan A. Blackwell, Chevy Chiem, Cassidy G. Hicks, Carly N. Howard,

Thuy P. Nguyen, and Lauren N. Taylor, all of Henderson;

Destiny S. Wilkerson of Kittrell;

Heba M. Issa and Adam W. Saleh, both of Louisburg;

Soha A. Algathi, Elizabeth A. Jones, Jacquelin Jose, Maya J. Lloyd, Marleigh G. Swanner, and Hannah T. Twisdale, all of Oxford;

Gracie A. Bullock of Stem;

Celeste V. Nugent, Rebekah F. Speier, Niles Tuttle, and Addison S. Wieberg, all of Wake Forest;

Ashtyn R. Turner and Caleb T. Wilson, both of Youngsville

 

Cosmetology:

Bianca Spies of Creedmoor;

Akyvia Alston and Jamaica N. Tuck, both of Henderson;

Alexis K. Perry of Louisburg;

Raina M. Hershberger of Oxford;

Liana G. Boyd of Raleigh;

Kailani J. Rivera of Wake Forest;

Casey N. Elliott and Jazsmin L. Kearney, both of Warrenton;

Kirsten Breeding and Samantha R. Westra, both of Youngsville

 

Criminal Justice Technology:

Markeith T. Ragland of Henderson;

Nicholas A. Bankert of Littleton;

Michael W. Sledge of Roanoke Rapids

 

Early Childhood Education:

Jessica M. Herman of Creedmoor

 

Early Childhood Education Diploma:

Adia M. Ford-Alston of Louisburg

 

Electrical System Technology:

Lucas K. Bohannon, Braden K. Cooper, James L. Hunt, and James W. Matthews, all of Henderson;

Matthew J. Reynolds of Louisburg;

Anthony J. Cujas of Oxford;

Brian D. Goss of Stem

 

Electronics Engineering Technology:

Daniel I. Randolph of Butner;

Jarrett L. Webster of Creedmoor;

Jaylen T. Bridges of Oxford

 

General Science AGE Degree:

Davis O. Orang'i of Apex;

Emily A. Sanchez of Butner;

Bailee Robinson of Henderson;

Leah M. Twara of Knightdale;

Odessa E. Johnson of Mebane;

Asia K. Prillaman of Oxford

 

Histotechnology:

Amarachi F. Eze of Franklinton

 

Human Services Technology — Substance Abuse

Christina M. Chiappette of Zebulon

 

Information Technology:

Chelsea A. McIntosh of Creedmoor;

Spencer A. Merrett of Durham;

Geoffrey S. Horton and Christian T. Oakley, both of Franklinton;

Kaitlyn M. Harris and Jacob D. Peace, both of Henderson;

Christopher L. Hawkins of Louisburg;

Sierra L. Ross of Norlina;

Owen C. Pienkosz and Keithia S. Rainey, both of Oxford;

Aaron M. Comer of Rougemont;

Tyson W. Carpenter and Christopher R. Deitz, both of Stem;

Bryan T. Fuller of Warrenton

 

Information Technology — Cyber Security Support:

Samantha L. Diard of Raleigh

 

Information Technology Diploma:

Christian Sanford of Henderson

 

Mechatronics Engineering Technology:

Malcolm T. Brownson and Christopher S. Dominguez, both of Henderson;

Colby C. West of Norlina

 

Medical Office Administration:

Terri W. Perkinson of Clayton;

Tiara D. Riggs of Warrenton

 

Paralegal Technology:

Ashanti D. Alston of Norlina

 

Paralegal Technology Diploma:

Jasmine R. Parker of Henderson

 

Public Safety Administration:

Jeffrey T. Cannady of Durham;

Christopher S. Pendergrass of Henderson;

Aaron D Porterfield of Wake Forest

 

Radiography:

Jenna M. Curry of Stem

 

Welding Technology:

Brett A. Freeland of Creedmoor;

Harrison L. Nash and Thomas F. Turner, both of Henderson

 

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Fall Semester Dean’s List honorees are listed below by program of study and then by residence.

 

Accounting & Finance:

Diamond N. Matos of Franklinton;

Zachary Vick of Oxford

 

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology:

Caleb A. Hicks of Oxford

 

Associate in Arts:

Hunter C. Bailey, Leidy S. Chavez, Bobbie D. Cooper, Mark J. Panganiban Jr., Ayden J. Koonce, Audrey R. Leap, Savannah A. Moore, and Adalia A. Stephan, all of Creedmoor;

Liza L. Sneed-Adams of Durham;

Sienna W. Armani, Micah Jones, and Connor M. Thompson, all of Franklinton;

Annette Gomez Mancilla, Lisa R. Hayes, Aiyanna U. Jones, Calvin A. Kinyon, Nakirah B. Martin-Watson, Timyra D. Nicholson, William D. Parrott, Kadarrius Peace, Deja K. Perry, Terry T. Perry, Trinity F. Williams, and Charlotte R. Wortham, all of Henderson;

Sydney T. Hockaday and Ermelinda Z. Sanchez-Tehan, both of Kittrell;

Praise Austin and Adrianna K. Wilson, both of Littleton;

Rianne E. Mitchell, Hailey N. Murphy, Mathilda Nieto, and Skylar L. Watkins, all of Louisburg;

Raleigh E. Pierce and Bailee M. Willis, both of Macon;

Chandler N. Kearsey of Manson;

James L. Bowen of Norlina;

Selena E. Moretz-Cruz and Julianna M. Williford, both of Oxford;

Jadalynn F. Rivas of Spring Hope;

Hailey S. Anderson, Keira L. Enloe, Allen M. Garcia, Kyndal B. Satterfield, and Maycee B. Thompson, all of Stem;

Jonah N. Dela Fuente of Wake Forest;

Shakira S. Bryant, Eder L. Galindez-Martinez, Ziquan D. Hymon, Ayana Phillips, Devon E. Taranto, and Gabriela Vela-Leos, all of Warrenton;

Mia K. Reavis and Victoria Z. Sema, both of Youngsville;

Alicia C. Bennett and Elizabeth R. Miranda, both of Zebulon

 

Associate in Science:

Jasmine Holland of Chapel Hill;

Joydan N. Johnson and Kayla B. Ortiz-Vargas, both Creedmoor;

Helen E. Carter and Yadiel R. Cruz, both of Franklinton;

Emad Alashmli, Anahi Carreno Serna, Melonique A. Lewis, Chania O. Miller, Madison L. Richardson, Katlyn N. Singleton, and Antavious E. Terry, all of Henderson;

Bryce L. Tilghman of Kittrell;

Zaccary A. Coombs, Abigail M. Griffin, and Jazlyn A. Usher, all of Louisburg;

Madison R. Hetrick and Caleb Willis, both of Norlina;

Annabelle K. Arness, Cristian Fierros-Cheluca, and Ciara G. Jones, all of Oxford;

Beatrice N. Chavis of Raleigh;

Anadelia Rodriguez Guerrer of Stem;

Caleb S. Ferrell of Timberlake;

Kurtis Kline and Zachary W. Novak, both of Youngsville;

Victoria A. Pereda of Zebulon

 

Bioprocess Technology:

Alan A. Ascencio of Bullock;

Iryonna Richardson of Louisburg

 

Business Administration:

Hailey A. Lynch, Caleb C. Shumate, and Karah N. Vaughn, all of Franklinton;

Josalyn D. Brandon, Keyasha R. Cheek, Jacqueline D. Jones, and Victoria A. Markham, all of Henderson;

Rineesha D. Burrell of Oxford;

Christopher D. Hutchings of Rougemont

 

Business Administration — Business Management:

Adam T. Sultan of Rolesville

 

College Transfer Pathway:

Brisa S. Bello Sifuentes and Emmalee D Hicks, both of Creedmoor;

Serenity D. Jordan of Franklinton;

Reem M. Alashmaly, Colby T. Bargfrede, Harlie A. Culbreth, and Hunter W. Woodlief, all of Henderson;

Alaina F. Bullock, Cadence G. Hoyle, Taylor R. Stancil, and Emily G. Wilkinson, all of Oxford;

Allie E. Currin of Rougemont;

Luannie Arreola of Stem;

Ashley E. Anglade and Frank Debelak, both of Wake Forest;

Ayden J. Franklin of Youngsville

 

Cosmetology:

Caleigh A. Murphy of Castalia;

Taylor H. Sullivan of Franklinton;

Michelle Lopez of Henderson;

Laquitta R. Marrow, Sinia S. Smith, and Darcel A. Thornton, all of Oxford;

Lauren N. Kennedy and Ayanna C. Rivera, both of Wake Forest;

Anita R. James and Jimisha Parham, both of Warrenton

 

Criminal Justice Technology:

Michael C. Lane and Jade A. Latta, both of Creedmoor;

Franchester D. Isreal of Manson;

Katelynn L. Hart of Oxford;

Kaitlyn B. Elliott of Stem

 

Early Childhood Education:

Tokie Barrie of Creedmoor

 

Electrical System Technology:

Ryan D. Arnott and Brooks O. Finch, both of Oxford

 

Electronics Engineering Technology:

Benjamin A. Portillo of Creedmoor;

Samuel H. Dickerson of Henderson

 

General Science AGE Degree:

Allyson L. Alfano of Franklinton;

Kyasia O. Harrington, Brenda E. Juarez, and Jonathan A. Marrow, all of Henderson;

Sienna R. Howes and Michelle Morales, both of Louisburg;

Rebecca K. Short of Norlina;

Rachel O. Perez of Oxford;

Danna M. Frederick of Raleigh;

Sydney P. Adkins of Roxboro;

Dorothy A. Bell and Jessica P. Jordan, both of Wake Forest;

Janet G. Fagan of Warrenton

 

Human Services Technology:

Beatrice A. Green and Tabitha E. Williams, both of Henderson

 

Information Technology:

Shane B. Hope of Creedmoor;

Nathan O. Daniel, Pilar P. Furlow, and Christopher S. Lopez, all of Durham;

Nathan T. Preddy of Franklinton;

Victoria S. Hunt and Jaylen M. Wilson, both of Henderson;

Caraisiah C. Russell of Kittrell;

Andrew Nanfro of Louisburg;

Allea J. Hobgood of Oxford

 

Mechatronics Engineering Technology:

Ethan P. Jones of Bullock;

Brian T. Guarino of Butner;

Zachary A. Davis of Henderson

 

Medical Assisting:

Normalejandra Avila-Velazquez of Oxford

 

Medical Office Administration:

Madison N. Yorks of Durham;

Katelin L. Bolton of Franklinton;

Raven J. Howard and Kayla R. Penny, both of Henderson;

Cierra N. Strickland of Roxboro;

Nakia C. Green and Ashley M. Rogers, both of Youngsville

 

Office Administration:

Cheyenne M. Brogden of Henderson

 

Office Administration Diploma:

Brenda I. Hernandez Malpic of Butner

 

Office Administration Technology:

Ashley M. Robinson of Henderson

 

Public Safety Administration:

Raymond D. Finch of Franklinton;

Olivia P. Harrell of Oxford

 

Radiography:

Melanie D. Salmon of Bahama;

Adtler S. Lake of Creedmoor;

Vanika R. Gary of Durham;

Ashly C. Arias and Camden J. Spain, both of Henderson;

Kimberly L. Evans of Oxford;

Kailey G. Mangum of Rougemont;

Madison E. Dunkley of Roxboro

 

Teacher Preparation:

Courtney S. West of Louisburg;

Kelsey C. Blake and Skylar N. Mulhollen, both of Oxford;

Lily J. Young of Wake Forest

 

Welding Technology:

Ava G. Simpson of Louisburg;

Michael Hart of Youngsville

 

Welding Technology — Basic Welding Certificate:

Cristian I. Trejo-Trejo of Oxford

 

HENDERSON, NC (February 1, 2024) — Vance-Granville Community College is proud to announce that its president, Dr. Rachel Desmarais, was recently recognized by the Triangle Business Journal among the recipients of its 2024 Women in Business Awards.

 

Desmarais’s inclusion in the 2024 Women in Business Awards underscores her commitment to supporting local communities and economies through a highly skilled workforce. During the 2020-2021 academic year, Dr. Rachel Desmarais took the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Pledge through the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which included specific action steps to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country. The college was so successful in these initiatives that NACCE named it the Entrepreneurial College of the Year in October 2022.

 

In late 2023, Dr. Desmarais led VGCC into the AdvanceNC partnership, an innovative workforce development ecosystem developing a robust talent pipeline to support unprecedented economic growth in central North Carolina. Through this initiative, 10 community colleges, two state universities, and six regional workforce development boards will collaborate to meet the industry needs of major international companies operating in the state.

 

For nearly three decades, the Women in Business Awards have celebrated women in the Triangle region who are dynamic and outstanding leaders, with established track records of significant accomplishments in business and community service. Triangle Business Journal honored a total of 25 winners this year.

 

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About Vance-Granville Community College: Established in 1969, VGCC is one of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System. With a service area the size of Rhode Island, VGCC is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. VGCC offers more than 40 curriculum programs, as well as Continuing Education, High School Equivalency, and Adult High School Diploma programs.

 

Contact: Courtney Cissel, Public Information Officer cisselc@vgcc.edu • 252-738-3484