Germanna Educational Foundation honors Bruce and Sandy Davis

The Germanna Community College Educational Foundation honored longtime supporters Bruce and Sandy Davis Friday night, unveiling a plaque naming the atrium of the Dickinson Building on the Fredericksburg Area Campus in Spotsylvania for the couple.

Bruce and Sandy Davis

Bruce Davis is a former co-owner of Freeman Beverage who recently bought 18 Beltone Hearing Centers in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. He has also served as chief liaison to the president at Germanna.

GCC President David A. Sam praised the Davises for their generosity in giving back to the community, both in terms of  funds and time

After their hard work paid off in business success, he said. “they decided to invest in Germanna and our students.” 

Davis noted that the definition of “atrium” is any chamber that’s connected to other chambers or passageways and that “all kinds of students pass through here.”

Another definition, he said, is the upper chamber of the human heart.

Davis said that he and his wife, in their time in Fredericksburg since coming here in 1989, have tried to invest in the community not only here at GCC, but through the Germanna Historical Foundation and the Lions Club.

“It’s part of our heart,” he explained.

Davis said community colleges are making a difference today, “transforming lives in a way never seen before…

“It used to be that if you graduated from high school you did OK, but if you got a four- year degree you could do a lot better,” he said. “Now, companies don’t always want someone with a four-year degree. They often want someone with an associate’s degree they can train and immediately get into their workforce.”

Davis said Germanna “helps transform so many lives of young people who don’t necessarily always have the advantages some of us have. That’s why we’ve invested in the college and in other things as well.
“Because the heart pumps blood out into the body,” he said, “and the body’s the community.”

Get an early start on college with Dual Enrollment

Attention High School Students

Get an Early Start on Your College Education with Dual Enrollment.
Through your school's partnership with Germanna Community College, current high school students have opportunities to take college courses while in high school.  Learn more at an upcoming Dual Enrollment Information Session:

Through Dual Enrollment courses, students gain exposure to college academics, learn from instructors with credentials to teach at the college level,  and have access to GCC Resources that facilitate student success.  Students earn college credit (most of which transfer to 4 year-colleges and universities) while fulfilling high school graduation requirements!

For more information, please visit the Germanna Community College
http://www.germanna.edu/dual-enrollment/

Getting to Know: Donna Alexander, Student Success Coach

 Germanna Community College has launched a Student Success Coach Program. The coaches stay with students all the way through their time at Germanna, giving them the help they need to succeed in college and in life.
We'll meet each of the coaches in a series of Q&A profiles--Student Success Coach Donna

Donna Alexander

Alexander works with students at GCC's Fredericksburg Area Campus in Spotsylvania.

·     Where are you from?

I'm from London, Ontario Canada. I now live in Fredericksburg.

·     Where did you go to high school and college and what degrees do you have?

I went to high school in London, Ontario Canada and then attended two years at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, where I obtained a Medical Administration diploma.  In 2000 I married a Marine and moved to a place I had never even heard of, Beaufort, S.C.  I started working at The University of South Carolina as a program specialist with a trio program.  I started taking courses toward my Bachelor’s Degree.  After my husband retired, he started a second career in D.C. and we moved to Fredericksburg in 2004.  I started taking more courses at Germanna.  After 8 years of assisting students and encouraging them to obtain their education, I decided to resign my position to do the same.  I graduated in May 2014 with my B.S. in Business and Psychology from Liberty University.  I'm deciding on which program I will take toward my master’s.

·     How long have you worked at Germanna?

I worked here from 2004 to 2012 in Tutoring Services; I came back to work at GCC Locust Grove Campus Counseling from February to June, 2014.  I started back on September as a Student Success Coach.

·     What do you like about working at Germanna? About being a Student Success Coach?

I love that Germanna employees are so committed to the academic success of each and every student! It is wonderful to be part of an environment in which we are all working together with the same purpose.

Being a Student Success Coach allows me to spend much more time with students.  I had always felt when I was in tutoring, that sometimes it isn’t the material of the class the student struggles with.  I saw students struggling with confidence.  They didn’t have someone telling them they could do this.  They didn’t have someone cheering them on.  Now I get to actually do this with students, and I couldn’t be happier.

·     What’s the biggest challenge you face in your job?

So far, the only challenge has been getting students to make initial contact.  Once they do and I can explain what my role is in their academics, they are thrilled. 

·     What’s your advice for Germanna students?

Follow directions and go to all your classes.  For instance, if an instructor wants you to complete a paper in a certain style and length and gives you a due date,  give them what they ask for.  Most of all, take advantage of the free resources available when you need help.  You never have to go it alone at Germanna!

·     For students graduating from high school and thinking about college?

If you are thinking about college, go to Germanna first.  You'll not only save a considerable amount of money, but you will become part of a very comfortable environment with staff that are here to see you succeed!  It will make the transition to higher education much smoother.

·     For older students thinking about returning to college?

There is the feeling for older students that they are going to be the only one. Germanna has many mature students and that's why a community college is a great environment for a returning student.  As a mature student myself, I understand the rigors of balancing work, children and life.  Germanna has the resources available to help with that.

·     What misconception does the public have about community colleges and community college students?

I'm not sure, but perhaps they think that community college is not as prestigious as a four-year institution, but with Germanna’s guaranteed transfer admission agreements, it makes sense to start here.  Here at Germanna the classes are smaller and much more affordable.  Also, the resources to help with the transition to college are more personal.

·     Are you married and do you have children?

I'm married to a retired Marine, Denny; and have a 12-year-old daughter, Olivia.  I also have four grown, inherited children (I hate to say step).

·     Fun fact about you?

I love trivia so much that I read trivia books and play Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit on my game system at home. 

·     What’s your favorite book?

"The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe"

·     Your favorite movie?

"Bridesmaids," "The Avengers," and "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

·     Your favorite TV show?

"Game of Thrones" and "Modern Family"

·     Your favorite sport and team?

Hockey of course! The Montreal Canadiens.

STEM careers not only for boys, Girl Scouts learn at GCC

Mirela Fetea, Ph.D., (right) answers questions from area Girl Scouts who participated in hands-on science workshops at Germanna Saturday.With her (background, l-r, are Trudy Witt, Ph.D. Prof. of Biology, GCC student Zilmara Montecinos Bonnet, Izabela Sikora, education technician wih the Tri-City Soil and Water Conservation Board, JoAnn Schrass, Ph. D., Biology professor.)

Fifty Girl Scouts from Fredericksburg and Stafford and Spotsylvania counties deconstructed electronic devices including computers, printers, smart phones and televisions and learned about physics and ecology during the first Girl Scout Science Day Saturday at Germanna Community College's Fredericksburg Campus in Spotsylvania.

Isabella Grasso of Girl Scout Troop 5214 takes part in a "Deconstruction" workshop during Girl Scout Science Day at Germanna Community College's Fredericksburg Area Campus in Spotsylvania Saturday. participated in hands-on science workshops led by Germanna Community College faculty at the Fredericksburg Area Campus on Saturday, (Photos by Robert A. Martin)

During a panel discussion about women in science, Dr. Mirela Fetea, who teaches physics at Germanna, told the Girl Scouts not to worry about stereotyping that implies girls aren't suited to STEM careers.

"Just pursue your dreams," Fetea told the Girl Scouts. "If you want to stay home and raise your children, that's ok. But there's nothing wrong with chasing your dreams, whatever they are. Even if you are told you cannot do it. Show people you can."
Dr. Trudy Witt, who teaches biology at GCC, told the Girl Scouts not to be concerned about being pigeon-holed as a "nerd."
"I always remind people that nerds make more money," she said with a grin.
"It was pretty fun," 12-year-old Evelyn Pailthorpe of Stafford Troop 3546 said of the day.
"We're really excited about having the opportunity to get elementary school-aged girls thinking about careers in science," Witt said.

Germanna Biology Prof. Trudy Witt with local scouts
during Girl Scout Science Day at GCC.

Vision for permanent Germanna Center in Stafford taking shape

What role should Germanna Community College play in Stafford County 20 or 30 years from now?

That’s the question GCC President David A. Sam asked a gathering of business, educational and political leaders from Stafford at a “visioning” session Monday at Riverside Conference Center.

“I like to say that ‘community is our middle name,’ “ Sam told the group. “We want and need your input.”

The group was interested in expanding GCC’s Dual Enrollment program, which makes it possible for students to earn associate’s degrees while in high school, and securing criminal justice/national security training that would support nearby Quantico and government agencies.

Stafford Director of Economic Development Tim Baroody said the county expects Germanna to play a role in the development of its own vision for the Courthouse area.

Germanna Community College Dean Denise Guest talked with community members as GCC held a Stafford County Visioning Session at the Riverside Conference Center Monday, Photos by (Robert A. Martin)

“Stafford County is working to build exciting opportunities in the Courthouse area,” he said.

He said the county’s vision is a complex of retail, restaurant and office capacity in a village concept that’s pedestrian friendly.

Baroody said “building a sense of place” is important to the county’s vision for the Stafford Courthouse area.

“Germanna would love to be one of the anchors,” Sam said.

He said the kind of workforce development Germanna provides “is critical to economic development.”

GCC Vice President Jeanne Wesley said Germanna will be able to provide expanded  offerings in training in health care, IT, industry and construction, national security skills such as cybersecurity and customized training at a larger facility near Stafford Courthouse.

“We’re very excited about a larger space in Stafford,” she said. “What we have now is a very small space.”

Germanna opened its existing Stafford County Center at Aquia in 2009 with support from the county Economic Development Authority. Enrollment immediately exceeded the 1,000 capacity of the four-classroom facility.

Virginia Del. Michael T. Futile (D-2nd) - foreground, right) - and Mark J. Safferstone, Ph.D., executive director of the University of Mary Washington's Stafford and Dahlgren campuses, look over the list of suggestions make by attendees at a Germanna Community College Visioning Session at the Riverside Conference Center in Stafford County.

GCC is working with the county toward opening a much larger, permanent center near Stafford Courthouse. The Germanna Educational Foundation is seeking private donations to help make that possible.

Sam said the new center in Stafford may look different than most campuses do today, with more labs and fewer classrooms and more emphasis on hybrid classes that combine online and face to face learning, but with greater emphasis on creating the type of sense of place of which Baroody spoke.

Deborah Brock, Germanna’s executive director of organizational planning and assessment, said Stafford can expect a 144 percent increase in population by 2040, with the number of young people of traditional school age doubling.

She said 36 percent of Stafford residents currently have bachelor’s degrees and that’s higher than the national rate of 29 percent. Still, she said, developing technology will create growing demand from county employers for workers with college degrees and credentials.

Dr. Jeanne Wesley , Germanna vice president, for workforce development, reviews suggestions made Monday at the cpllege's Stafford Visioning Session at the Riverside Conference Center.

She said demand for workers in the health care professions and support fields will grow, as will demand for skilled workers in construction and supporting trades. At the same time, she said, the nature of the federal government as an employer will be shifting if it continues to downsize. It’s currently the biggest employer for county residents.

Participants in Germanna’s Stafford Visioning Session included:

Bruce Davis – Former Germanna College Board and Educational Foundation Board Member

Dana Reinboldt – Stafford County School Board, Griffis-Widewater District

Kathy Baker – Stafford County Planning and Zoning

Jack Rowley – Germanna Educational Foundation Board

Bruce Benson – Stafford County School Superintendent

Michael Adams – JON Properties, LLC

Joseph Neubert – Stafford Ruritan Club Member

Meg Bohmke – Stafford County Board of Supervisors, Falmouth District

Marie Frederick – Community member

Mark Safferstone – UMW, executive director – Stafford and Dahlgren Campuses

Jim Brown – Community member

Tim Baroody – Stafford County, deputy county administrator

Jack Cavalier – Stafford County Board of Supervisors

Michael Futrell – House of Delegates, District 2

Germanna Local College Board to meet

A sign-up sheet will be made available to members of the public 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 18 meeting of Germanna Community College Board in room 118 of GCC’s Daniel Technology Center at 18121 Technology Dr. in Culpeper.

Among items to be considered:

•  Seeking approval from the State Board of Community Colleges to explore options to lease space greater than 10,000 square feet in Stafford County to expand and enhance offerings there.
•  Seeking approval from the state board to explore options to lease space in Caroline County with rent to be subsidized by the county for up to three years.

Germanna Community College is a two-year, public institution of higher education, serving a total headcount of about 13,000, including both students in academic courses and workforce development training, in the counties of Caroline, Culpeper, King George, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania, Stafford and the city of Fredericksburg.

Math in Action adds up for area teachers

Germanna's Center for Workforce and Community Education hosted its second annual "Math in Action: A Conference for Math Teachers by Math Teachers" in June at GCC's Fredericksburg Area Campus.

The Virginia Department of Education’s Michael Bolling,
Director. The Office of Mathematics and Governor's
Schools, was the conference's keynote speaker.

The Germanna Center for Workforce had visited area school systems and asked how it could help with professional development. Math teachers wanted help dealing with the strict changes in math requirements. It partnered with area schools to bring in teachers who could share best practices with each other. 

The conference is designed for teachers interested in helping students achieve at the highest possible levels in math. Attendees heard the latest news about mathematics instruction from the Virginia Department of Education’s Michael Bolling, Director, The Office of Mathematics and Governor's Schools.

Teachers had the opportunity to participate in sessions focused on instructional strategies for the teaching of math. The break-out sessions were conducted by teachers sharing best practices, helping to build a network of support throughout the region