Editorial Column for Daily Herald
For Publication: 7/30/08

HCC: Helping One Student at a Time
Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr.
President, Halifax Community College

HCC alumni, front, Amy Gonzalez, back, Samantha Lewter, Caren Godfrey and Mike Mayle.

Halifax Community College prides itself in helping our students and graduates be successful in their chose fields of study. As you may have noted, it is really inspirational to me whenever we can highlight some of our graduates in this column. Today, I am spotlighting four alumni who work at the Social Security Administration in Roanoke Rapids.

Customer Service Representative Amy Gonzalez has two HCC degrees. She graduated in 1997 with a Medical Office Systems degree and in 1999 with a Graphic Art & Design degree. Although she was accepted at UNC, because of a disability, she decided to stay close to home and family. She says that she didn't have much confidence prior to attending HCC, but while here, she had what she calls her “butterfly time” when she blossomed personally and academically. A self-described introvert and “C” student in high school, at HCC, she maintained a 3.7 grade point average and her self-esteem grew. Gonzalez was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, on the newspaper staff and Student Government Association as well as serving as a student tutor. “I was able to do a lot of things while at HCC. There were a lot of opportunities other than just going to class and going home.” I couldn't agree more with Amy.

Customer Service Representative Samantha Lewter graduated from HCC in 1995 with an Associate in Arts. She is currently enrolled in Chowan University's Adult Degree Completion Program at HCC. She chose to attend the community college because it was convenient and local. Lewter was a co-op student from 1994-95 at the Social Security Administration, which lead to her permanent job. She says that the fact that HCC is accredited is a major benefit because several other schools will accept credits earned here. In transferring to Chowan, she didn't lose any previously-earned credit hours, which was important. “HCC is a good place. It has excellent teachers.” In fact, Samantha, an honors student, credits the wonderful teachers who worked with her as the best thing about our college.

Claims Representative Caren Godfrey is a 2001 HCC graduate in the Associate in Arts program. After HCC, she transferred to East Carolina University. While at HCC, she was also an honors student and a scholarship recipient. “It was great to get the college experience while I was still at home.” Godfrey added that the school is affordable, staff is friendly and she had a smooth transition to ECU. She said that the whole environment at HCC is an asset and that her time here “flowed well.”

Security Officer Mike Mayle, who works with Security Consultants Group, a company contracted by the Social Security Administration, also earned two degrees at HCC. In 1986, he earned a Correctional Services degree while taking night classes. In 1989, he graduated from the Business Administration program. He chose to attend because of the convenience to campus. Earning degrees also helped him get his current position. “The one-on-one attention was great from the professors. You don't get that at other colleges,” he added.

From the President's Perspective, you can see that our graduates are finding good jobs after graduation. We are constantly striving to make sure that that trend continues despite the current economic times. And, I continue to stress the fact that, “The more you learn, the more you earn.” As you can see our graduates have been able to land great jobs and benefits as well as providing much-needed services to the Roanoke Valley community. We are proud of their accomplishments as well as many other graduates living and working in the area. Our faculty, staff and administration care deeply about our students' success.

Feel free to send me an email message at president@halifaxcc.edu with your thoughts or ideas for future stories. We are currently registering students for the Fall 2008 semester. To learn about our current or new programs—stop by campus, call us at (252) 536-HCC1 (4221), or visit us online at www.halifaxcc.edu.