Nov 6

Nov 6 Davidson-Davie Community College holds open house

Noah Hart of Concord, a high school senior, tours the zoo and aquarium sciences lab on the Thomasville campus of Davidson-Davie Community College during an open house this past Saturday. {Vikki Broughton Hodges/Davidson Local}

More than 120 prospective Davidson-Davie Community College students and their family members attended an open house Saturday on the Thomasville campus to hear not only about various degree programs but also student support services to ensure their success.

A similar open house will be held Monday, November 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Davie campus in Mocksville.

Cailin Asip, senior director of enrollment strategy and services, told the group assembled at the Mary E. Rittling Conference Center the college offers more than 40 curriculum, professional certificate and degree programs, ranging from eight- to 16-week programs to two-year associate degrees.

Academic areas of interest at Davidson-Davie include business and computers, education, skilled trades, zoo and aquarium sciences, high school programs, law and public safety, health care and wellness, engineering, sustainable agriculture and university transfer, which is affordable college-credit coursework for students who plan to transfer to four-year schools.

Dr. Susan Burleson, executive vice president for academic and student affairs, said the school has approximately 11,000 students. An estimated 4,000 of those are in college credit programs with a third of that number dually enrolled in college credit courses and local high schools, or Early College.

“I think we’re the best community college in the state,” Burleson said, noting there are 58 schools in the North Carolina Community College system. “That’s not just my bias. We’re consistently at the top of the ratings in performance measures.

“We’ve also managed to do what most community colleges haven’t — we’ve continued to grow post-Covid. I feel that’s because of the climate and culture we’ve created here. We are super-focused on student success.”

Burleson said financial aid options and free support services are important pieces of the puzzle for successful outcomes for students.

“Once you’re here, we’re not going to just turn you loose and you’re on your own until you cross the finish line,” she added.

Brian De Young, director of financial aid, noted 75 percent of students receive some form of financial aid, such as federal loans and grants, such as Pell grants, state grants and Davidson-Davie Foundation scholarships. But that’s not because the tuition is high, as for an in-state student, cost is $76 per credit hour. “One of the great benefits of community colleges is its affordability.”

Carmen Davis, director of Learning Commons, said her staff offers academic testing, tutoring and coaching both in-person and online to help students achieve their goals. The library services division has the largest computer lab on campus with 50 computers as well as scanners and printers, laptop kiosks and group study rooms.

Shareka Brown, director of student support services, said a federally funded program called TRIO Scholars, aims to help underserved students — such as those with Pell grants, a disability and those who are first-generation college students — complete a two-year associate degree with the goal of transferring to a four-year school.

TRIO Scholars are offered a chance to tour four-year colleges with transportation and meals included, cultural enrichment opportunities such as attending a Broadway show at the Tanger Center or a Carolina Panthers game and, in collaboration with the international program at the school, study abroad opportunities.

“We want to give you every opportunity to be successful and take advantage of what’s available to you,” Brown added.

Lynne Watts, director of student life and leadership, advised the prospective students to get involved in extracurricular opportunities such as the more than 30 clubs and student organizations on campus and student government.

“There’s more to college than just the classroom,” Watts explained. “And employers are not just looking for good GPAs. They’re looking for people with leadership skills. It will look good on your resume and you’ll make some friends, which reduces stress. We’ve found that the more connected you are to the college, the more likely you will graduate.”

Other staff speakers addressed free non-academic support services such as a virtual health care app, child care and transportation assistance and a food pantry.