March 2024

Attaining a GED is Just the Beginning

Linda Landeros takes a victorious selfie at SVCC after passing her final subject exam.

phone call with Buffy Allgood, Regional Adult Education Program Manager, made her feel this time would be different. “From the moment I met her, she really made me feel I could do this quickly, like I could be a success. She made me feel I needed to do it for me,” Linda recalled. And that was the spark Linda needed.  

She joined the program in May of 2022 and completed all four subject exams of the GED© within just ten months. “I was still traveling a lot and going back to Texas, so sometimes I had to miss classes.” Linda’s teachers say she always jumped back in with enthusiasm and was dedicated to her schoolwork. That, as it turns out, was Linda’s secret weapon. “I did some school work each day. Maybe it was only 30 minutes some days, but I always spent time on it.” She credits her supportive family, enthusiastic instructors, and Buffy for encouraging her. But it was her own commitment to achieve this milestone that made the difference.  

Since completing her GED, Linda also finished the Entrepreneurship course with the Adult Education program and passed the U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Examination recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia. She is contemplating her next steps and is considering bookkeeping and computer applications.  She may be in a SVCC classroom very soon. Linda will bring her positive attitude and commitment into her next stage. Her advice, “Do the work. Apply yourself. It won’t be as hard as you think if you work on it.”

Virginia Veterans Laptop Project

Pictured: John Hall, VDVS Military Education & Workforce Initiative Program Manager; Dr. Robin Daniel, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives; Zuri Polk, VDVS Military Education & Workforce Initiative Skill Bridge Coordinator; Heather Wells, Financial Aid Specialist; Dr. Daryl Minus, Vice President, Enrollment Management & Student Success; Mark Casper, Tech for Troops President; and Sally Tharrington, Director of Financial Aid, Veterans Affairs & Records.

Veterans and their spouses attending Southside Virginia Community College and other colleges across the commonwealth are benefiting from a first-in-the-nation program from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS). The department is providing 20 laptops for veterans at each of the 23 colleges that make up the Virginia Community College System (VCCS).

“This is a brand new project we started this year in partnership with the VCCS and Tech for Troops,” John Hall, VDVS Military Education and Workforce Initiatives Manager, said as the computers were delivered to SVCC's Christanna Campus.

Forging Futures: SVCC Alum Aims to Empower Women and Build Community

As a third-generation entrepreneur and the first in her family to earn an Associate degree, SVCC alum Sundari Morgan made a bold decision to leave the manufacturing industry to start her own business.

Sundari graduated from SVCC in 2018 with an Associate degree in General Studies. Before diving into the world of retail, Sundari spent eight years working in various roles in the manufacturing industry. However, she always harbored a dream of running her own business and making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Noticing a significant gap in the Farmville community, Sundari decided to take the leap and open "Lex on Main" in February of 2022 with the intention of showing women the importance of investing in themselves. The store offers size inclusive, affordable clothing options in addition to shoes, accessories, gifts, and home decor.

In her time at SVCC, she received the opportunity to refine her public speaking/communication and photoshop skills, which she states assist her in delivering her boutique’s mission. Lex on Main is more than just a retail store, it's a testament to the power of entrepreneurship, empowerment, and community support. Sundari's vision and dedication have created a space where women can embrace their uniqueness, celebrate their individuality, and feel a sense of

belonging. SVCC is proud to play a role in molding entrepreneurs like Sundari!

Poetry and Art Contest

SVCC is pleased to announce the winners of its inaugural Virginia Community College System Poetry & Art Competition.

Participating students submitted original poetry and visual artworks interpreting the theme “I belong.” The program aimed to foster a sense of community and belonging at SVCC and across the Virginia Community College System.

Dr. Daryl Minus, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success, states “SVCC is excited to have hosted a poet laureate and visual artist competition. This was an awesome opportunity for the college to magnify the impact and value of the arts and simultaneously engage our students under a universal theme that underscores belonging and inclusion."

Rayna Aranzamendez & Harper Ballance

College for a Day

More than 350 students from local high/middle schools toured the Christanna Campus in Alberta and the John H. Daniel Campus in Keysville for "College for a Day." They participated in hands-on activities and attended informational sessions learning more about SVCC's academic and workforce programs. Students were served pizza for lunch and many were able to partake in games outside!

Save the Date

Honoring Local Small Businesses

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