RRSpin - HCC receives Advancing Diversity award

Tuesday, 19 April 2016 11:52

HCC receives Advancing Diversity award

Written by Lance Martin

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From left to right is David Pluviose, Executive Editor of the Diverse Issues In Higher Education Magazine, Dr. Charlene Dukes, Chair of the AACC Board of Directors and President of Prince George's Community College in Maryland, Michael Felt, Chair of the Halifax Community College Board of Trustees, and Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr., President/CEO of Halifax Community College, Dr. Walter Bumphus, President and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges. Halifax Community College

Halifax Community College was awarded the 2016 American Association of Community Colleges Advancing Diversity Award at the 96th annual convention recently held in Chicago.

The Advancing Diversity Award recognizes colleges contributing significantly and over a sustained period of time to advancing diversity in community college leadership, the community, and within higher education.

HCC’s President Ervin V. Griffin Sr., and board Chair Michael Felt were present to receive the award on behalf of HCC and the Roanoke Valley Region. “President Griffin and the Board of Trustees have made considerable changes to both the educational and cultural environment of HCC and throughout the region,” Felt said. “The national recognition of those positive changes by the American Association of Community Colleges validates the importance of advancing diversity in the teaching and learning environment at HCC.” Griffin was elated to receive the award for the campus community and region. “I believe that AACC Advancing Diversity award is for the entire campus community and all of our regional partners. The entire campus community has participated in all of our activities and that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to increasing diversity within the college and the greater Roanoke Valley region we serve”.

Said Griffin: “HCC has significantly energized its educational and cultural offerings throughout the service region by investing $250,000 in unique one-of-a-kind diversity and multicultural programs over the past five years. HCC was the first community college in North Carolina to forge a partnership with the U.S. Postal Service to host an African American Stamp Dedication event, profiling prominent African Americans who have made important contributions to society.”

The American Association of Community Colleges created its Awards of Excellence program to celebrate work being done at community colleges.

Felt and President Griffin both agree, “This is a very prestigious honor for Halifax Community College and the Roanoke Valley Region. We are thrilled that HCC’s educational and cultural programming activities may serve as a model for other community colleges around the country. We were ecstatic to receive this award on behalf of our trustees, students, faculty, staff, administration, and the citizens of the Roanoke Valley region.”

Griffin will officially present the AACC Advancing Diversity Award to the Board of Trustees at its annual board retreat on April 26.

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