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HCC RECOGNIZES AREA BUSINESS PARTNERS
WITH
FIRST-TIME AWARD
WELDON, N.C.
– Halifax Community College (HCC) recognized three area
business partners during commencement exercises, May 12.
This marked the first-ever presentation of the Presidential
Partnership Award.
HCC
President, Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. made the award
presentations. Cisco Systems, Inc., Halifax Regional Medical
Center and PCB Piezotronics received the award for
commitment and partnership in developing workforce education
programs and supporting economic development in the Roanoke
Valley.
A
multi-national computer systems corporation with
headquarters in Research Triangle Park, Cisco Systems, Inc.
has partnered with HCC during the last year to initiate a
Cisco Academy on campus. Through the program, students are
trained to become Cisco Certified Networking Associates,
qualifying them for computer networking careers. The company
has donated computer hardware and manuals, hosted HCC
students are its headquarters and initiated a project aimed
at informing local high school students of employment
opportunities in the technology field. HCC now has a Cisco
Academy Networking Lab complete with state-of-the-art Cisco
equipment and offers a networking curriculum to college and
high school students. “Through Cisco, HCC has expanded its
ability to provide training to meet the needs of the 21st
century,” said Griffin.
As a
partner in educating and providing employment opportunities
for health care professionals since the college began 40
years ago, Halifax Regional Medical Center offers HCC’s
nursing, phlebotomy and medical lab technology students
valuable clinical experience at the hospital where many of
them later become employed. Nurses at the hospital serve as
mentors for students. Medical Office Administration students
also complete their cooperative education requirements in
the hospital. Griffin said, “In addition to health care
training opportunities, Halifax Regional Medical Center
sponsors scholarships for our nursing students. Their
support of our nursing program benefits students, the
college, the hospital and the community.”
PCB
Piezotronics is an international company that began as a
family-owned business in Depew, N.Y., in 1967. The company
manufactures piezoelectric quartz sensors, which assist in
measuring pressure, force and vibration. The backbone of the
company is its mission statement, “Total Customer
Satisfaction.” In 2004, PCB decided to move to the South.
“We in Halifax County, are the recipients of that decision,
as the branch of the company was moved to Halifax County in
January 2005 and an immediate partnership with Halifax
Community College began,” said Griffin. PCB and HCC began to
provide new and expanded industry training on campus for the
company’s newly hired employees. The company has joined
forces with the college to help increase the quality of life
for the citizens of the Roanoke Valley. Presently, the North
Carolina facility has more than 100 employees. In addition
to having a comprehensive plan for adding an average of 50
new employees per year for the next 10 years, the company
has opened its doors to allow personalized training on-site.
Twice a week at the facility, HCC offers human resource
development training, which is focused on employability
skills for unemployed and underemployed adults.
Kirsten Weeks accepts the award on behalf of Cisco Systems,
Inc.
William Mahone V accepts the award on behalf of Halifax
Regional Medical Center.
Richard Grier accepts the award on
behalf of PCB Piezotronics.
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