PHCC News & Updates – March 14, 2013
Human Trafficking/Modern Day Slavery Topic of Upcoming Event
A presentation and documentary featuring the stark realities of human trafficking in the United States and around the world will be presented at and hosted by Patrick Henry Community College on Thursday, March 28 in the Walker Fine Arts/Student Center Theatre. Free and open to the public, the event will be moderated by retired FBI special agent, Greg Bristol, and offered twice – once at 9 a.m. and again at 5:30 p.m.
Four years in the making, the ultimate intent of the documentary, “Not My Life,” is to provide insight into the way the world is. Modern-day slavery thrives along the trans-national fault lines of extreme poverty, social injustice, political unrest, and acts of violence and deprivation. While acknowledging that trafficking and slavery are universal crimes affecting millions of human beings all over the world, “Not My Life” zeroes in on the fact that the vast majority of trafficking and slavery victims are children, even in the United States.
“This presentation is a real eye-opener. Everyone should be aware that these conditions exist, often right under our very noses,” said PHCC’s Instructor of Criminal Justice, Pauline Satterfield. “Only when we know about them, can we do something about them.”
The documentary will be introduced by Bristol who, just prior to his retiring, focused primarily on hate crimes and many complex domestic servitude and sex trafficking cases in the Washington, D.C. Metro area. Currently, he teaches how to investigate the crime of human trafficking at various police academies and is a frequent guest speaker at community groups and non-government-organizations regarding human trafficking in America.
The documentary, which features locations in Romania, Italy, Ghana, Senegal, Guatemala, Cambodia, India and Europe in addition to the United States, lasts about 80 minutes. It is directed by Robert Bilheimer, president of Worldwide Documentaries, Inc. Bilheimer has received many recognitions and awards for his work, including an Academy Award nomination for “Cry of Reason,” a feature-length documentary that tells the story of South African anti-apartheid leader Beyers Naude.
“’Not My Life’ probes the dark, hidden, and often unspeakable realities of human trafficking and modern-day slavery – the multi-billion dollar global industries that earn their profits, as the film’s narration says, ‘on the backs and in the beds of our planet’s youth,” Bilheimer said.
Documentary content is not suitable for children; parental guidance is recommended.
A question and answer period will follow the documentary, moderated by Bristol and other FBI personnel.
After the presentation, on Saturday, March 30 the PHCC student ADJ Club will offer DNA kits free of charge to parents of children and adolescents to the age of 16. The kits will include finger-prints, a photo, height and weight measurements, and a DNA swab from the children. Parents can take the DNA kits home to keep for law enforcement in the event their children become missing. The children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive the kits. Kits will be presented between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the J. Burness Frith Exhibit Hall on the PHCC campus. Those who are to have a DNA kit prepared must NOT eat or drink for 45 minutes prior a “swab” taken so that the DNA sample is as accurate as possible.
Summer Job Fair Set at PHCC
PHCC will host a Spring Job Fair in the Frith Economic Development Center Exhibit Hall on Tuesday, March 26 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. The fair is open to all PHCC students and the general public. Job seekers are encouraged to dress as for a job interview (business attire) and to bring several copies of their resume’s. Companies that have agreed to send representatives include Faneuil, Hanesbrand, Memorial Hospital, Lowes, Wal-Mart, Ameristaff, Debbie’s Staffing, Blue Ridge Nursing Center, and the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
“SWITCH – Discover the Future of Energy” Coming Soon!
Mark your calendars for April 18 at 5:30 p.m.when PHCC hosts a screening of SWITCH, a nonpartisan film that’s changing the global energy conversation. In SWITCH, Dr. Scott Tinker gets the straight answers to our most controversial energy questions. The film screening will be followed by a panel discuss about energy issues and how they affect us locally and globally. The event will be hosted by the PHCC Geology Department and our PHCC student Environmental Club. See the trailer at SwitchEnergyProject.com Admission is free.
KUDOS
— To our Nursing students who graduated last spring and fall (2012) for 100 percent passage of the NCLEX on the first try! What a testament to the quality of instruction, the dedication of the students, and the support and resources provided by the college!
PHCC Updates – March 4, 2013
PHCC SCALE team presents at the ATD Strategy Institute recently.
College Recertified As ATD Leader College
Patrick Henry Community College has been recertified as a Leader College by Achieving the Dream, Inc. This designation means that PHCC has been nationally recognized for upward trends in student success measures and innovative ideas in delivering education, and increasing student engagement and completion.
“Being acknowledged at the national level as a Leader College is an accolade in which our entire community should take great pride,” said Dr. Angeline Godwin, PHCC President. “Patrick Henry Community College and the Achieving The Dream team have worked very hard to provide and sustain a teaching and learning community committed to student success. Recertification is an affirmation of our success as a college; however, the true beneficiaries are our students and our community.”
Each Leader College approaches student success differently, but with the guidance of the ATD model and its coaches, they all implement data-informed programs and policies to build long-term, institution-wide commitment to student success, according to ATD. Successful efforts across many of the Leaders Colleges include college readiness programs, mandatory new student orientation, student success courses, developmental course redesign, curriculum redesign and intensive and individualized advising.
PHCC’s program focuses on increasing the success of students through the use of collaborative learning, a teaching methodology in which students become active participants in the educational process.
Over the last three years, PHCC’s internal data has shown a 25% increase in two-year completion rates as well as a 26% increase in fall-to-fall retention rates. Moreover, PHCC continues to witness a decrease in the “success gap” between male/female students and between white and minority students. College administration directly tie these accomplishments to the impact that cooperative learning has had on student achievement efforts.
“This recognition from Achieving the Dream (ATD) solidifies PHCC’s place among the most elite community college’s in the country. Most importantly, it demonstrates the institution’s continued commitment to on-going student success which is the hallmark of ATD,” said Greg Hodges, Dean of Developmental Education and Transitional Programs, and coordinator of the PHCC ATD initiative.
Recently, PHCC received word that it had been chosen to receive a Catalyst Grant, a follow-up grant from ATD, for the college to use to “scale up” efforts of the ATD initiative by reaching even more students.
PHCC is one of 27 pilot colleges to join Achieving the Dream when it was first conceived as an initiative in 2004 by Lumina Foundation and seven founding partner organizations. Today, Achieving the Dream leads the most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education history. With nearly 200 colleges, 100 coaches and advisors, and 15 state policy teams – working throughout 32 states and the District of Columbia – Achieving the Dream helps 3.75 million community college students have a better chance of realizing greater economic opportunity and achieving their dreams.
High school students participated in a variety of STEM activities on Friday.
STEM Day a Huge Success!
Congrats to Steve Branch and everyone who worked so hard to make STEM Day the great experience that it was for local high school students. Not only was it educational for students, it was a wonderful networking opportunity for the college, NCI, EDC, Harvest Foundation and a number of other organizations and businesses/industries. We have some great photos and videos posted to the college’s Facebook page. (If you “don’t do Facebook,” you can still create an account without any personal information just so you can keep up with the college and our students.) This was truly a campus-wide event with great collaboration among faculty, staff and administrators. Go Patriots!
Check out the coverage: BTW 21; Martinsville Bulletin; WDBJ-7
Who Says Math Isn’t Cool?
While we’re on the subject of STEM . . . the first ever Math Museum opened recently in New York City. “Mo Math,” as it is called, offers many hands-on activities that demontrate math principles. (Hint, hint: it may be worth exploring whether this could be a field trip opportunity, math teachers!) Check it out!
Building Trades students construct the sign for PHCC’s Trade Show Booth
PHCC at the Trade Show
PHCC will have a large booth at the Trade Show on Tuesday and Wednesday to represent the college. Come check it out- it’s going to be great! We have representation from all divisions. Mike Bryant’s Building Trades students are helping to construct set-up. Another great campus wide collaboration! Hours for the event are 4-8 p.m. on VIP Night, Tuesday (by invitation only) and on Wednesday when the event is open to the general public. Admission is $2 or two cans of food.
Dr. Godwin Speaks About Student Commons Renovations
BTW 21′s Kip Wallace interviewed Dr. Godwin recently about the renovations to the Student Commons area. See the interview.
PHCC Updates
Strategic Leadership Cabinet Members Announced
Members of the inaugural Strategic Leadership Cabinet have been announced. They are Rosemary Bowers, Steve Branch, Ronald Carter, Jeff Fields, Jencie Gibson, Sarah Beth Keyser, Julie Meador, Chris Parker, Kay Pagans, Nancy Phillips, Kelly Proffitt, Letitia Pulliam, Cristy Reynolds, Susan Shively, and Brenda Wright.
Under the leadership and guidance of Dr. Godwin, this cabinet will meet 10-11 times during the year for three (3) hours per session on Mondays from 2-5pm. Participants who begin in Spring 2013 will conclude Fall 2013. A new Strategic Leadership Cabinet will begin for another group of participants in Fall 2013 and conclude Spring 2014.
The purpose of the cabinet is to strengthen current leaders and cultivate future leaders at Patrick Henry Community College; discuss significant issues for Patrick Henry Community College and solicit feedback or solutions; deepen participants’ knowledge of PHCC’s MISSION, VISION & VALUES; and strengthen relationships among the participants.
STEM Day Rescheduled
STEM Day has been rescheduled to Friday, March 1. Get ready! About 350 high school students will visit our campus to learn about STEM career opportunities.
Study Abroad Program Updates
As you know, PHCC is investigating how to implement two study abroad initiatives: art in Italy and culinary arts in Europe (possibly France). Here is the latest information available:
Gerry Bannan held an information meeting for the Italy trip and after some follow-up communication has 19 people who have expressed serious interest in the trip. This six-week summer program will accommodate up to eight people. The college is investigating how it might offer financial assistance to those who need it.
An initial meeting to gauge interest in a culinary arts trip was hosted by Angela Wright with seven people in attendance. A follow-up meeting is scheduled in West Hall 208 at 4 PM on Tuesday, February 26 for further development.
PHCC’s Police Blotter
We have certainly been getting our share of media attention following the announcement that the college will soon have a police department, pending College Board approval. Media outlets that have interviewed Gary Dove about the story include the Martinsville Bulletin, WDBJ-7, WSLS-10, WSET-13, and BTW-21. Follow these links to see the stories.
Martinsville Bulletin
WSET
WDBJ
BTW-21
Patriot Players Announced
The cast/crew of the newly formed performing troupe, the Patriot Players, has been announced. Fifteen performers, one sound technician, and one artist were selected from those who auditioned last month.
Patriot Players will present variety shows at various venues throughout the area, including schools, community centers, and cultural groups.
The Players represent a number of different talents, including acting, singing, instruments, dance, visual arts, and gymnastics. They range in age from 14 to 64 and are from Martinsville and the counties of Henry, Franklin and Patrick.
Players are:
•Thomas Julian Ayers from Bassett. Ayers is 14 years old, home schooled, and plays the violin.
•Sidney Coulson of Fieldale. Coulson is 15 years old, home schooled whose talent is dancing and gymnastics.
•Damaris Dailey of Ridgeway. Dailey is 18 years old, homeschooled and dual enrolled at PHCC. She plays the piano and sings.
•Seraina Dailey of Ridgeway. Dailey is 14 years old, home schooled, and an artist.
•Stacey Jean Davis of Martinsville. Davis is 20 years old, a PHCC student and a dancer (tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, baton pom, hip hop and lyrical)
•Ayrajo Draper of Boones Mill. Draper is 15 years old, attends Franklin County High School, and plays bass guitar. She also plays acoustic and electric guitar and the piano, paints, and draws.
•Courtney Eure of Henry. Eure is 30 years old, a college graduate and whose talent is vocals.
•Megan Greytak of Collinsville. Greytak is 30 years old, a Radford University graduate, whose expertise is theatre.
•Jenni Gregory of Stuart. Gregory is 64 years old, a PHCC graduate who both acts and sings.
•Meghan Hines of Stuart. Hines is 18 years old, a PHCC student who acts and sings.
•Austin Jenkins of Axton. Jenkins is 17 years old and a Magna Vista High School student. Jenkins will be working sound and also sings, dances and plays guitar.
•Kendall Ledyard of Bassett. Ledyard is 17 years old, home schooled and is an actor.
•Laine Manley of Martinsville. Manley is 18 years old, a Magna Vista High School student whose talents are vocals and acting.
•Kinya Moore of Martinsville is 18 years old, a Martinsville High School student who is dually enrolled at PHCC and who performs step dance.
•Julie Shumate of Martinsville. Shumate is 31 years old and plays the violin.
•Dana Smith of Bassett. Smith is 18 years old, a Bassett High School student who is also dually enrolled at PHCC, and who is a dancer.
•Kimberlie Willard of Bassett. Willard is 14 years old, home schooled and plays piano, dances and sings.
Talmage Thomas and students work on the PHCC race car.
The past, present and future of motorsports will be the theme of “Motorsports Day in Patrick County” on Thursday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Virginia Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame in Stuart.
A collaboration between the museum, Patrick County Recreation Department, and Patrick Henry Community College, the event will focus on the history of motorsports racing with a showing of “Hey Pops: the Curtis Turner Story” and a tour of the museum; the present (the event is scheduled in advance of the Daytona 500 on February 24; and the future, with information and exhibits about the motorsports program offered by PHCC.
The event begins at 10 a.m. with the showing of the film about Curtis Turner from Floyd County, who made his fortune in timber and spent it on racing. “Pops,” as he was called, is credited with helping to drive NASCAR through its early years.
Harold Smith of Bassett, who owns two cars in the museum and has been in racing more than 60 years, will be on hand to talk about his experiences after the movie. Howard DeHart of Meadow of Dan, who worked with L. O. Stanley, will also be present. L.O. Stanley, known as “the man on the mountain” is remembered as the genius of regional engine building in Southwest Virginia.
Tours of the museum will be available, along with information from the Patrick County Recreation Department about their programs, activities, and trips. Tours of the Wood Brothers Museum next door will be available.
PHCC Motorsports will be on site with the cutaway car and information about motorsports programs at the college. A group of 20 – 30 students from Patrick County High School will attend.
Auditions Set For Feb. 2
The Patriot Players Audition postponed from last Saturday has been rescheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Walker Fine Arts Theatre at Patrick Henry Community College.
Read More…
Dooley Published in NAGT Newsletter
Brett Dooley has had an article about the creation of her virtual field trip program published in “Foundations,” the newsletter for the National Association of Geoscience Teachers. In the article, she describes her experiences in collecting material and how she put it all toghter in a package that is most functional for students. Way to go, Brett!
You can read the article here.
Saturday Auditions for Patriot Players Postponed
Saturday’s Auditions for Patriot Players has been cancelled due to the weather and will be rescheduled.
Patriot Players Auditions Set for Saturday, Monday
Auditions to join the Patriot Players will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 28 from 6-8 p.m. in the Walker Fine Arts/Student Center Theatre.
Patriot Players is a new performing arts troupe forming at Patrick Henry Community College to promote the arts in the local area and give people with talent another avenue through which to pursue their passion and develop skills. The troupe will perform at various venues throughout the community.
Performers being sought for the troupe can include dancers, vocalists, actors, instrumentalists, visual artists, and variety artists (such as mime, juggling, beat box, magic, etc.). In addition, people interested in serving support functions like costumes, lighting, sound, and set- design are needed.
“The Patriot Players Performing Troupe of Patrick Henry Community College will provide a fabulous platform for celebrating the tremendous talent in our community, hopefully building bridges to new opportunities for our students to fulfill their dreams and aspirations,” said PHCC President Angeline Godwin.
A founding advisory board is headed by Jane Leizer and comprised of local arts professionals. For more information about the auditions, contact Leizer at 618-0685.
