Showing posts with label Virginia State University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Virginia State University. Show all posts

Friday, October 3, 2014

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Nearly $14 Million to Support Job Training Programs at Virginia’s Colleges

Virginia State University
Virginia State University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Because Colleges No Longer Prepare The Students:

~ Grant to help colleges expand capacity to provide training programs ~ 

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Virginia State University and four of Virginia’s community colleges will expand their capacity to provide innovative training programs in partnership with employers, thanks to a nearly $14 million grant award from the U.S. Department of Labor’s (US DOL) Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative. 

In Virginia, the  funding will  support the priorities of  Governor McAuliffe’s Executive Order 23, the “New Virginia Economy” Workforce Initiative, to increase STEM-H postsecondary education and workforce credentials, secure employment for veterans, align education with the needs of businesses, and diversify the economy.

“These five new grant awards will drive industry driven STEM-H credentials, apprenticeships and on the job training to help build the skilled, high tech workforce for Virginia businesses and industry sectors”said Governor McAuliffe.  “This is another step forward towards my vision of a new Virginia economy, and I congratulate each of the colleges on their success.” 

“The success of Virginia State University and our community colleges in securing these awards suggests the strength of regional public-private partnerships,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones.  “It’s encouraging to see our universities and community colleges working with employers, state agencies, non-profit organizations, and other partners to stand up new models of education and training that work for industry, job seekers, and for the Commonwealth’s economic development.” 

Virginia State University received $3,249,817 to provide training in the wireless industry for veterans, dislocated and underemployed workers, which includes the Warriors4Wireless program, one of only two such programs in the U.S.  The college will work to accelerate credential completion, implement new instruction models, bolster online and technology-enabled learning, implement apprenticeships, and offer Wireless Technician certificates and associate and baccalaureate degrees

Lord Fairfax Community College received $3,250,000 to create Knowledge to Work, a new type of educational search engine and online portal designed to help workers find free and low-cost learning resources tied to competencies and credentials, including badges, certificates, and degrees. These low-cost credentials will be targeted to high demand industries that align with the Governor’s STEM-H goals in healthcare, information technology and advanced manufacturing.

Danville Community College received $2.5 million to incorporate workplace experiential learning in advanced manufacturing in an educational setting. The new program, Retooling America, focuses on realistic, fully integrated training experiences in a full-scale manufacturing faciltiy , which will be housed at the college’s project partner, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

Southwest Virginia Community College received $2.5 million to provide training in advanced manufacturing and carpentry industries through the college’s PluggedIn VA.  PluggedIn VA is a program, which provides expedited paths through a GED, postsecondary education and job training to a high demand job.

Thomas Nelson Community College received $2,476,840 to work with regional employers and workforce organizations to develop and implement an education and training system to produce multi-skilled technicians in advanced manufacturing.

“VSU is honored that the Department of Labor has entrusted us with federal assistance to develop this wireless infrastructure career training program,” said VSU President Keith T. Miller.   “The market demand for wireless network workers remains strong in our region and throughout the country.  This grant will help VSU stay at the forefront of helping to build Virginia’s economic and technological future.”

“Community colleges are at their best when they are bringing together employers and career-seekers from across the community, and that’s exactly what this grant will help us do,” said Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “Virginia earned the largest amount of funding awarded to any state.  We take that to be a vote of confidence in the quality of our work and a challenge to go even further. We’re grateful for the opportunities this creates in helping us serve people across Virginia.”

A full list of grantees including project descriptions is available online athttp://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20141865.htm.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments

Virginia State University
Virginia State University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced additional appointments to his administration today. The appointees will join McAuliffe’s administration focused on finding common ground with members of both parties on issues that will grow Virginia’s economy and create more jobs across the Commonwealth.


Secretariat of Commerce and Trade

Tracey Jeter, Director, Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity
Tracey Jeter previously served as President of both the Capital Region and Virginia Minority Supplier Development Councils, affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council.  Prior to her leadership on the Councils, she served as Special Assistant and Senior Speechwriter to the President, Liaison to the Board of Visitors, and Lead Advisor on Media Relations at Virginia State University.  Ms. Jeter is the former owner of Gordon-Tracey Advertising and Public Relations, LLC, a Virginia minority business enterprise.  She also served the Commonwealth as an appointee on the Supplier Diversity Advisory Board and former appointee on the Statewide Coalition for Black Businesses, and is a former member of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.  She is a native of Richmond and holds a Bachelors degree in Speech Communications from Old Dominion University.

Secretariat of Education

Mackenzie Byrne, Deputy Director, Virginia Commission for the Arts
Mackenzie Byrne has been serving as Chief of Staff and Senior Legislative Assistant to Delegate Joseph Morrissey, 74th House District. She previously served as a Legislative Fellow for Delegate Jennifer McClellan, 71st House District. Mackenzie graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011 with a degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies and received her Master’s degree from VCU in Social Work and Public Policy in 2013.

Secretariat of the Commonwealth
Board Appointments

Advisory Board on Behavior Analysis

  • Keri S. Bethune, PhD, BCBA-D of Harrisonburg, Assistant Professor, Department of Exceptional Education, James Madison University
  • Amanda A. Kusterer, BCABA of Richmond, Behavior Analyst Consultant, Spiritos School
  • Kate Lewis, MS, BCBA, LBA of Roanoke, Director of Partnerships, Commonwealth Autism Service.
  • Asha Patton Smith, MD of Arlington, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Kaiser Permanente Northern  Virginia, Mid-Atlantic Medical Group
  • Patricia C. Taylor, JD of Crozet, Expert Witness Recruiter, Thomson Reuters Expert Witness Services

Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice

  • The Honorable Dede Smith of Charlottesville, Vice-Mayor, Charlottesville City Council

Aquaculture Advisory Board

  • Heather T. Lusk of Quinby, Vice President, H.M. Terry Co., Inc.
  • Anthony Marchetti of White Stone, Chief Operations Officer, Rappahannock Oyster Co.

Board of Historic Resources

  • Margaret T. Peters of Richmond, Historian and Writer
  • Ashley Atkins Spivey of Richmond,  Director and Curator, Pamunkey Indian Museum and Cultural Center, Pamunkey Indian Reservation

Board for Professional and Occupational Regulation

  • James W. Head of Richmond, Associate, Hunton & Williams, LLP

Board of Trustees of the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia

  • Nwachukwu Anakwenze, MD* of Rolling Hills, California, Victoria Medical Group, Inglewood; Chairman of Anambra State Association Worldwide, Chairman of Igbo World Assembly, Chairman of Council of Igbo State Americas, Board of Presidents
  • Dianne Fulk of Linville, Administrative Director, The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham, Inc.

Governor’s Commemorative Commission Honoring the Contributions of the Women of Virginia

  • EJ Scott of Manassas, Sustainable Development Consultant, Primary Matters

Northern Virginia Transportation Commission

  • Jim Corcoran† of Fairfax County, President and CEO, Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce

Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children

  • Jill Gaitens of Virginia Beach, Community Affairs Leader, Military Child Education Coalition
  • John B. Gordon, III, EdD of Henrico, Director of Administrative Services, Fredericksburg City Public Schools
  • Captain Frank E. Hughlett of Virginia Beach, Commander, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story, U.S. Navy
  • Dorothy McAuliffe** of Richmond, First Lady of Virginia
  • Aaron C. Spence of Virginia Beach, Superintendent of Schools, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
  • Brad Williams of Gloucester, School Counseling Director, Tabb High School

Virginia Latino Advisory Board

  • Gonzalo Aida of Richmond, President, Virginia Young Democrats
  • Carolina Espinal of Arlington, Director, Brunswick Group LLC
  • Christopher J. Falcon of Falls Church, Owner & Attorney at Law, The Falcon Firm, PLLC
  • Charlotte Fritts of Winchester, Human Services Specialist, Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Julio Cesar Idrobo of Falls Church, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty and Chair, Housing Commission, City of Falls Church
  • Aida Pacheco of Mechanicsville, Program Grants Manager, Virginia Community College System
  • Gloria Maria Peña Rockhold of Charlottesville, Community Engagement Manager, Albemarle County Public Schools
  • Alex Rodriguez  of Annandale, Vice President, Innovative Consultants International
  • Estuardo V. Rodriguez, Jr. of Fairfax, Principal, The Raben Group
  • Vivian Sanchez-Jones of Roanoke, School and Community Liaison for Immigrant Families, Commonwealth Catholic Charities
  • Zuraya Tapia-Hadley of Arlington, Treasurer, Shirlington Education and Employment Center
  • Gresilda A. Tilley-Lubbs* of Roanoke, Associate Professor of ESL and Multicultural Education, Virginia Tech
  • John Villamil-Casanova of Manassas, Executive Vice President, The ASPIRA Association
  • Lucero Soto Wiley of Norfolk, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley and Chair of Education, Hampton Roads Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Virginia Museum of Natural History Board of Trustees

  • Christine S. Baggerly of Danville, Vice President – Sales and Support Services, First Piedmont Corporation
  • Monica T. Monday* of Martinsville, Managing Partner, Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, LLP
  • James W. Severt, II* of Washington, D.C., Private Investor

*Denotes reappointment
†Secretary of Transportation’s designee to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors (WMATA)
**Governor’s designee


Friday, October 11, 2013

Governor McDonnell Announces Board Appointments and Additional Appointments to Administration

Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at...
Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell  attribute to Gage Skidmore (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Announces New Secretary of Education and New Secretary of Public Safety


RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Javaid Siddiqi, Deputy Secretary of Education, will become Virginia’s next Secretary of Education following the departure of Secretary Laura Fornash, effective November 18th.  He also announced that Bryan Rhode, Deputy Secretary of Public Safety, will become Virginia’s next Secretary of Public Safety following the departure of Secretary Marla Decker, effective November 1st.  He also announced appointments to five Virginia boards and commissions.

Bios for today’s appointments can be found below.  Further announcements regarding additional appointments in the McDonnell administration will continue to be made in the months ahead.


Education

Javaid Siddiqi, Secretary of Education
Dr. Javaid Siddiqi was appointed in October of 2011 to serve as Deputy Secretary of Education, focusing his efforts on improving teacher quality and improving educational outcomes for all students.

Before joining the McDonnell administration, Siddiqi spent 12 years with Chesterfield County Public Schools.  During his time in Chesterfield, Siddiqi served as a high school teacher, assistant principal, and as principal of Robious Middle School where he led the implementation of Expeditionary Learning, a nationally recognized school reform model. 

Siddiqi received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, his masters degree from Virginia State University, and his doctorate in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.  He is a native of Chesterfield and is a graduate of Virginia public schools.  He is married and has two children.
*Appointment effective November 18th

Public Safety

Bryan Rhode, Secretary of Public Safety
Bryan Rhode was appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell as a Commissioner of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in April of 2012.  In January of 2013, Rhode was appointed by Governor McDonnell to his current position as Deputy Secretary of Public Safety. 

Rhode is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, the University of Virginia School of Law, and the London School of Economics. A former Captain in the United States Marine Corps, Rhode served four years on active duty as an infantry officer and deployed twice overseas. He served for nearly six years as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Richmond, where he worked with local, state and federal agencies to investigate and prosecute a wide variety of crime.  Prior to serving as a prosecutor, Rhode was an associate corporate attorney at Hunton & William, LLP. 

Engaged in the community, he serves on numerous professional and community boards and organizations, including the Goochland Free Clinic, the Goochland Rotary Club, and the Marine Corps League of Richmond. He was named to Style Weekly Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” in 2007.  Rhode and his wife Lynne live in Goochland with their two sons – Andrew and Bryan, Jr.
*Appointment Effective November 1st

Board Appointments

Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers
·         J. Paul Welch, II of Warsaw, Owner/Manager of Welch Funeral Home

Board of Visitors to Mount Vernon
·         Glen Bolger of Alexandria, Survey Researcher for Public Opinion Strategies
·         Julie Dime of Alexandria, Partner at Principle Advantage, Ltd.
·         The Honorable Paul Clinton Harris, Sr. of Richmond, Senior Counsel for the Northrop Grumman Corporation
·         Mark A. Herzog of Richmond, Senior Vice President of Corporate and Government Affairs at Health Diagnostic Laboratory

Charitable Gaming Board
·         Nicholas S. Curry of Hopewell

Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
·         RADM David O. Anderson, USN (Ret.) of Virginia Beach

Virginia Latino Advisory Board
·         Joel Martinez of Glen Allen, Managing Vice President/HR Consulting with Capital One
·         J. Michael Martinez de Andino of Henrico, Partner with Hunton & Williams
·         Theresa Alvillar Speake of Alexandria, CEO of Speake Consulting Services


*Denotes re-appointment
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