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Communities across the country participated in National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on January 9. Although the observance sets aside a specific day to express gratitude to law enforcement personnel, these public servants deserve recognition all year long. Law enforcement personnel are a crucial component of what is required to keep our neighborhoods safe. They are frequently a community's only full-time professional first responders. They safeguard the innocent and stand against criminal activity. They help keep the peace in times of crisis.
The impetus behind the observance arose when a controversial police shooting led to unrest in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014. In the wake of negative media attention concerning police actions, C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) and several other organizations dedicated to the support of law enforcement officials felt it necessary to promote positive stories. They advocated an observance dedicated to showing gratitude for police efforts and expressing an understanding of the difficulties that surround split-second decision-making processes under life-threatening stresses.
Since that time, other high-profile tragedies have exacerbated a negative stereotype of police officers in some minds. National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day serves to remind people that the nearly one million men and women serving as public safety officers in the United States routinely make personal sacrifices, exhibit courage, and take on risks in order to protect their communities.
As the need to focus on positive solutions became urgent, the Virginia Community College System asked that I chair a task force to review the law enforcement curricula offered across our community college system. Based on that work, courses have been modified to focus on the important relationships between law enforcement personnel and the communities they serve. Additionally, components have been incorporated to build students' understanding of cultural competency.
According to Dr. Alfonzo Seward, Lead Instructor in SVCC's Criminal Justice program, "The Criminal Justice program is built around core courses that provide practical knowledge, information about the causes of crime and delinquency, and an understanding of ethical issues. This combination of topics helps prepare future law enforcement members to face the challenges inherent in a career that may require them to put their lives on the line to protect others."
SVCC offers two distinct pathways for students seeking to embark on a career in law enforcement and related professions. The two-year Criminal Justice AAS program prepares students for careers in criminal justice agencies and can satisfy transfer requirements for students who plan to pursue a related four-year program.
For students seeking a shorter path to immediate employment, the Criminal Justice Certificate program can be completed in two semesters. It provides training for individuals who plan to work in settings such as police departments and correctional facilities.
Students in these programs may be eligible for tuition assistance through Virginia's G3 program, which serves residents who qualify for in-state tuition and meet low-income criteria. Approved programs fall into targeted, high-demand career areas such as public safety. More information about G3 funding can be obtained from SVCC's Student Services Department (student.services@southside.edu or 434-736-2022).
The brave men and women who choose careers in law enforcement stand on guard every day to protect our communities. The next time you see a police officer or other member of the justice community, remember to express your thanks for his or her commitment to public service.
Dr. Quentin R. Johnson is president of Southside Virginia Community College, an institution of higher learning that provides a wide variety of education opportunities to a diverse student population within a service area that spans ten counties and the City of Emporia. He can be reached via email at quentin.johnson@southside.edu.
The U.S. Department of Education reports that students who earn college credits before high school graduation reap numerous benefits. These include an increased likelihood of college graduation, a reduced average time to obtain a college degree, and significant savings on tuition and other expenses.
Southside Virginia Community College works hand-in-hand with the school districts across our service area to bring a slate of options to area high-school students. One of the most immersive and challenging opportunities is the Governor's School of Southside Virginia (GSSV), an academic-year program that enables gifted and highly motivated juniors and seniors to spend half of each school day with their peers in a college campus setting.
Virginia's Governor's School Program originated in 1973, and today it has expanded to more than 40 sites. Some focus exclusively on summer programming. GSSV is one of 19 that operate through the full academic year. Enrolled students spend part of their day at one of SVCC's main campuses and then return to their local high schools for other required programming. Upon successful completion, students receive an Associate's degree from SVCC in addition to receiving a high school diploma from their local school.
GSSV students participate in a learning community with an intensity that goes deeper than traditional education. Mrs. Wesley Swain, Director, notes that students "follow a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum in science, math, English, and research courses. They use current technologies in laboratories where they conduct in-depth research and work with each other on special projects. They also benefit from the real-world experiences shared by local business and industry leaders who assist with research projects and serve as mentors and examples."
Mrs. Swain explains, "Admission to GSSV is based on a competitive selection process, and prospective students should know that the amount of work required is greater than that of traditional high school courses."
Each of the ten public school divisions in SVCC's service area that participate in the Governor's School of Southside Virginia hosts its own recruitment meeting for prospective students and their parents. SVCC's two main campuses also hold "GSSV Shadowing Days" for interested students. These events allow students the opportunity to travel to campus, participate in classes, and experience a GSSV day. Interested students should seek specific scheduling details from their school counselors.
In general, admission requirements include an overall cumulative 3.5 GPA (or recommendation from at least one core teacher who feels the student would qualify, except for unusual situations or conditions) and the successful completion of Algebra I and II and geometry for junior level students.
Potential students should remember that GSSV courses at SVCC's campuses are college classes, not simply high school classes held in a college setting. They include college-level content and are taught by instructors who have the degrees and credentials to teach at a community college. Upon successful completion, students receive high school credit as well as college credit, which becomes part of their permanent college transcripts.
For more information about the benefits and challenges of this program for gifted and highly motivated high school juniors and seniors, prospective students can visit the GSSV website at gssvsouthside.org or contact the GSSV Director, Mrs. Swain, at wesley.swain@southside.edu.
Dr. Quentin R. Johnson is president of Southside Virginia Community College, an institution of higher learning that provides a wide variety of education opportunities to a diverse student population within a service area that spans ten counties and the City of Emporia. He can be reached via email at quentin.johnson@southside.edu.
Catrina's goal of walking across the stage as an SVCC graduate was achieved during the commencement ceremony held in May on the John. H. Daniel Campus in Keysville as she received a certificate from Dr. Quentin R. Johnson, SVCC President.
Adult learners at Southside Virginia Community College often tell stories about overcoming personal challenges. The determination they demonstrate in reaching their goals is and can be inspiring. One amazing recent graduate, Catrina Roberts, displayed outstanding courage as she pursued her desire to hold a postsecondary credential in her hands.
Catrina's life included many medical challenges. She endured 40 surgeries, including some related to kidney issues, some following an accident, and two heart valve replacements. Although these issues sometimes slowed her progress, they did not stop her. Her family supported her through these challenges; especially her brother, Robert Jackson, whom Catrina looked up to. He was always there for her and encouraged her after each surgery.
Catrina suffered a stroke after her second heart valve replacement surgery and set walking across the stage at graduation as her goal for recovery. She accomplished this at SVCC's ceremony on May 13, 2023. She stood up from her wheelchair and stepped forward to receive the Early Childhood Career Studies Certificate for which she had worked so hard.
It was a proud moment for her and her family, and on that stage, Catrina was able to savor her success. Sadly, just a few weeks later, she passed away.
Ryan Roberts, Catrina's husband says: "Catrina was a people person. She was always tenacious and would always find a way to push through every challenge she faced."
He explains that Catrina had a long-standing interest in early childhood education. She worked at Kenston Forest as a substitute teacher, as a bus driver, and in the cafeteria.
Her daughter, Elena, is a rising 10th grader at Nottoway High School. She notes that Catrina's involvement as a Girl Scouts leader and 4-H volunteer gave them a special bond.
The Roberts family credits Catrina's mother, Mary Gordon, for serving as a role model. Elena says her mother learned a lot from her grandmother, who worked in a school setting and in home health care and demonstrated a huge capacity for empathy. Ryan recalls his mother-in-law's willingness to take early retirement to become Catrina's caregiver, enabling him to remain employed at his job and keep the family's health insurance intact.
The Early Childhood Career Studies Certificate Catrina pursued is designed to prepare students for jobs in daycare or pre-school environments. During her studies, she learned about early childhood development and practical strategies for encouraging prosocial behavior. She studied conflict resolution and problem solving, and took courses that reviewed positive health, hygiene, nutrition, and safety issues. After finishing her coursework, Catrina worked at Pickett Park Daycare. This gave her an opportunity for hands-on experience implementing creative age-appropriate activities.
In honor of her mother's legacy, Elena plans to follow in her footsteps by continuing her own education after high-school graduation. "Education was a lifelong experience for my mom. She believed that education was a pathway to a better life."
Ryan explains that although Catrina had many medical challenges which required her to take most of her classes online, she found that she always had access to help through her teachers.
As Catrina's story demonstrates, determination can help a person overcome a multitude of obstacles. If you are a working adult and have been thinking about a new career, you can honor her memory by taking steps in your desired direction.
On July Fourth, we celebrated our nation's birth. On July 30, we will recognize National Support Public Education Day. Having both observances in the same month serves as an important reminder that freedom and education go hand in hand.
Education has roots in antiquity. In places where formal systems developed, such as ancient Egypt, Greece, and China, schools were often open only to specific classes of students: those of the upper and ruling classes, those in religious training, and those with the ability to pay tuition. Here in the United States, the first steps toward developing free, public education followed closely on the heels of our nation's founding.
The Center on Education Policy (CEP), an independent research and information resource, explains it this way: "The Founding Fathers maintained that the success of the fragile American democracy would depend on the competency of its citizens. They believed strongly that preserving democracy would require an educated population that could understand political and social issues and would participate in civic life, vote wisely, protect their rights and freedoms, and resist tyrants and demagogues."
Despite its importance, however, the spread of public education was uneven. Rural areas often had fewer options. Children of color were sent to segregated schools that lacked fundamental resources. Recent immigrants and people of non-Protestant religious faiths faced discrimination.
According to the CEP, "It took many decades and the force of civil rights legislation and court decisions before universal access to public education matured into the full pursuit of equal educational opportunity for all racial, ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups, as well as for girls and children with disabilities."
That work continues. Many schools still struggle in their efforts to provide a high-quality education to all students. The National Education Association, an organization with three million members dedicated to excellence in public education, notes that some of today's biggest challenges include adequate funding, school safety, fair testing policies, discipline, student absenteeism, and an ever-evolving catalog of legislative requirements.
Still, public education remains the cornerstone upon which our nation's future rests. A robust education system is necessary to ensure that tomorrow's voters understand topics impacting public policy. They must acquire financial literacy, a fundamental grounding in the basic sciences, and knowledge of existing and emerging technologies. They also need to understand the historical context and current status of social justice issues and environmental concerns. Furthermore, to move forward in peace, understanding one another across different cultural and socioeconomic perspectives is imperative.
Among post-secondary education options, public institutions often offer the best value. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average annual cost of attendance at a private, nonprofit four-year institution is $55,800 compared with $26,000 at public institutions. Community colleges have the lowest costs. For example, here at SVCC annual costs for tuition and fees average $4,695 for in-state students (and $10,698 for those who come from other states).
If you'd like to honor the role education plays in our country, here are some suggestions for things you can do: Read a book, or read a book to a child. Send a thank-you note to a teacher. Encourage a wavering child to maintain regular school attendance. Volunteer in a classroom or for other school-related activities. Support legislative initiatives that strengthen schools. And, finally, participate in life-long learning opportunities.
Dr. Quentin R. Johnson is president of Southside Virginia Community College, an institution of higher learning that provides a wide variety of education opportunities to a diverse student population within a service area that spans ten counties and the City of Emporia. He can be reached via email at quentin.johnson@southside.edu.
Left to Right: Jason Drinkwater, BriAnna Alexanders, Doug Kemerer, Duncan Quicke
SVCC's Truck Driver Training team would like to congratulate BriAnna Alexanders on completing the Truck Driver Training program with a 4.0 GPA. BriAnna, of Freeman, is the 183rd student to earn this honor and the first female TDT student to do so!
A check presentation was held on the Christanna Campus in Alberta as Dr. Quentin R. Johnson, SVCC President and Dr. Daryl Minus, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success accepted the donation from Rob Propes, Urban Grid Development Manager and Dave Whittington, Urban Grid Consultant.
Urban Grid recognized Southside Virginia Community College with a $9,000 grant to fund its Career Coaching Program and a scholarship for the entry-level solar worker training program.
The grants are part of "Urban Grid Gives", an ongoing commitment to communities where Urban Grid solar projects are being proposed, developed and constructed.
“Southside Virginia Community College is committed to building dreams, transforming lives, sustaining communities, and providing instruction for anyone who wants the opportunity to build upon their educational foundation,'' said Dr. Quentin R. Johnson, SVCC President. “By funding programs key to job creation in the clean energy economy, Urban Grid is helping to ensure the relevance of the southside workforce with real-world skills.”
“We believe that all solar development is local and have designed our Urban Grid Gives initiative to partner with organizations making a lasting impact in the communities they serve. Like Southside Virginia Community College, our solar energy projects will bring a lifetime of benefit to the community with the generation of clean, affordable energy,” said Rob Propes, Urban Grid Development Manager. “Contributing to the economic development of rural counties in Virginia is central to our belief that the transition to clean energy can benefit everyone in the community, beyond those directly involved in our projects, and long after our projects are established.”
After many successful years of leading the Southside Virginia Community College men’s basketball team, Dennis Smith recently announced that he is stepping down as head coach of the Panthers.
Smith departs as the all-time winningest coach in school history with a 284-144 record over 18 seasons. He led the Panthers to four USA National Prep Postgrad titles with the most recent coming in his final game at the helm on March 5, 2022 when SVCC topped Tennessee Prep 65-52 in the West National Collegiate Prep title game in Myrtle Beach, SC.
The other national championships for SVCC came in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
The SVCC Panthers also won Virginia Community College System state titles in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 under Smith and captured VCCS division titles and finished as the state runner-up in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Smith’s best season in terms of victories came in 2007 when SVCC went 27-5, part of a great run when the local program won 20 or more games in four out of five seasons.
“While I am certainly proud of the tremendous success we have had over the past two decades, I could not have done it without my great assistant coaches - Vincent Brown, who has been with me for the past 14 years, and John Duty, who worked with me during my first four seasons,” Smith said. “I am most proud of the tremendous student-athletes who have played for SVCC over the years that I have watched grow into responsible and compassionate adults now giving back in their communities.”
SVCC won four of the six national title games it played in under Smith, finishing as runner-up in the USA National Postgrad division in 2020 and as runner-up in the 2010 ACIS National Championship at North Carolina State University. SVCC also captured the ACIS Mid-Atlantic Regional title in 2007 at the University of Virginia.
“The young people I have worked with over the years have meant so much to me and I am thankful for so many wonderful memories,” said Smith. “I am forever grateful to Dr. John Cavan for giving me the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level and to Dr. Al Roberts and Dr. Quentin Johnson for allowing me to continue in this role.”
Smith said that while he is stepping away from coaching, he still plans to be actively involved with the athletic programs at SVCC as well as continuing to serve in his primary position as Director of Workforce Development.
An information session about Southside Virginia Community College's Fast Forward Workforce programs will be held at the Emporia-Greensville Chamber of Commerce (400 Halifax Street) on Tuesday, August 9th at 5:30PM.
FastForward credential programs are short-term training courses offered through SVCC to help fast track one’s career.
Eligible students can pay just one-third or less for the cost of tuition for select FastForward Credential Programs.
FastForward programs at SVCC include the following: Diesel Technician; Truck Driving; Nurse Aide; Medication Assistant; Power Line Worker; Massage Therapy; Phlebotomy; Gas Metal Arc Welding; Solar; Remote Pilot Airman; and HVAC.
For more information about the event, please contact Yolanda Hines at 434-594-9448.
Refreshments will be provided to attendees as the event is being sponsored by city council members, Yolanda Hines and Jim Saunders.
Southside Virginia Community College will not increase tuition and fees for this academic year.
Students will have their tuition and fees stay the same for the 2022-2023 academic year after the decision was announced on July 21 by the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges.
“We are grateful for the decision by the State Board to keep tuition and fees flat for the upcoming academic year. SVCC continues to be a high-quality and affordable higher education option for students and families in Southside Virginia. As our tuition costs stay the same, this allows for more access to higher education, which is part of the college's mission,” said Dr. Quentin R. Johnson, SVCC President.
This marks the fifth year in a row that the board has voted to hold tuition and fees steady for in-state students who account for more than nine out of every ten students served by Virginia’s Community Colleges.
The State Board’s decision means SVCC’s in-state tuition and mandatory fees will remain at $156.50 per credit hour. The State Board also maintained the existing tuition rate for out-of-state students, which for SVCC is $356.50 per credit hour. Community college tuition and fees are approximately one-third of the comparable costs of attending Virginia’s public four-year universities.
