Transformations:

COA Foundation Newsletter

Connecting with community, alumni, donors and friends.

North Carolina's first community college is celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2020, another milestone reached in COA's rich history. Efforts have been made to reconnect with the professionals who paved the way for the Foundation since its inception. One of those individuals includes David Griffin, a former Foundation Executive Director, "The Foundation is a means for the community to connect with and support student success. Student success in turn feeds back into the success of the community." 

Pictured above (left to right): Lucy Gordon, Amy Alcocer, Dr. Jack Bagwell, Douglas Gardner and Sandra Ray

COA's Response to COVID-19

College of The Albemarle began remote instruction for the majority of programs beginning March 23, 2020. While a few "critical" programs (Basic Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Science, Certified Nursing Aide) continued to meet in a face-to-face capacity (with social distancing measures incorporated) many departments began teleworking and facilities have been open to the public on a limited schedule. The college provided free public "Park and Surf" WiFi at each campus location for those without reliable internet services, as well as purchasing additional laptops for students to check out for use in completing their online courses. COA staff members produced masks for the service area's frontline medical workers, as well as departments across the college pulling together Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in high demand in our area's hospitals. COA's Machining Program began making face shields and the COA Cares Campaign increased its efforts to provide assistance for students affected by COVID-19. Throughout this pandemic, one thing has been clear; COA employees band together to help our students and the communities serve and reside in.

Photos from top right: (1) "Park and Surf" Wifi in the Foreman Center parking lot in Elizabeth City; (2) Megan Bohn, Instructor, ADN Nursing Simulation Facilitator; Lauren Judge, 2nd Year ADN Student Class President, and Katie Miller, Department Chair, ADN Program stand in front of PPE donated to Sentara Albemarle Medical Center; (3) Patti Peterson, Librarian at COA-Dare, stands behind masks that she and Connie Mizelle, Cashier & Business Operations Manger, COA-Dare, sewed for community members along the Outer Banks; (above) Mariah Schierer, Performing Arts Center Manager, sews masks for COA employees and the community; (right) Patti Peterson; Connie Mizelle; Tim Sweeney, Dean of COA-Dare; and James Ayers, Town Manager, Town of Manteo, pose with the masks sewn by Patti and Connie to be donated for members of the community.

Community Partner Spotlight

Photo above (from left to right): Rick Durren, General Manager, Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC; Dr. Jack Bagwell, COA President; and Bruce Biggs, Owner, Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC

Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC has supported College of The Albemarle and the Foundation for a number of years. Bruce Biggs not only served on the college's Board of Trustees and Foundation Board of Directors, but he is also recognized as a Lifetime Member of the Foundation. The continuous support of Mr. Biggs and his dealership have allowed for countless numbers of students to receive scholarships while attending COA.

Rick Durren, General Manager of Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC, shared, "We have been a longtime supporter of College of The Albemarle and stand behind the power of community colleges, as well as their impact on individual communities. College of The Albemarle has been providing educational opportunities for our local community for 60 years and Biggs is proud of the relationship we have with the college in enhancing and supporting its endeavors.

COA CARES CAMPAIGN

Earning an education and entering the workforce can be daunting enough on their own – but imagine having to do them without school supplies, appropriate clothes for an interview or while facing hunger.

 

The COA Cares program, established in 2019 by the faculty and staff of College of The Albemarle, ensures the care and success of our students, no matter the need. It provides support and resources for students on their path to graduation, and as they enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year institution.

 

COA Cares offers:

    • Food Pantries at all four campuses

    • Career Clothes Closet

    • School Supplies

    • Referral Services to internal and external resources

Now, more than ever, COA students are facing uncertainty in their daily lives amid COVID-19. The Foundation Board of Directors, Board of Trustees and COA employees have come together to donate to COA Cares, and since March 27, $6,252 has been raised. Students facing emergency situations can now apply for funds from COA Cares on the college's website.

For more information on COA Cares and to make a gift, click here .

We have a strong COA community that is coming together to meet the needs dispersed across our service area. Your contribution will help us continue to “Transform Tommorrows” and assist students navigating through this difficult time.

SAVE THE DATE: FOUNDATION EVENTS

Scholarship/Community Partners Event

The next Scholarship/Community Partners event will be held on Friday, November 6, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

The event will be held at The YMCA at The Pines in Elizabeth City. More details to come!

Alumni Association Annual Meeting

Mark your calendar for Friday, December 4, 2020, 5:00-7:00 p.m. for the Alumni Association's annual meeting event. More details to come!

New Funds and Scholarships

The Lacy J. McNeil First Flight Rotary Scholarship : A partnership between COA and the Banks Community Foundation, the Lacy J. McNeil First Flight Rotary Scholarship provides COA-Dare students the opportunity to travel and explore cultural experiences on the other side of the globe for 2021, as students embark on a trip to Thailand as part of COA's Study Abroad Program. Brian Edwards,  Chair, Social Sciences Department and Associate Professor of History at COA, presented to the First Flight Rotary Club  on behalf of the COA Study Abroad Program, and shared the impact students experience as they learn about other  social behaviors and participate in hands-on community service projects. The COA Foundation Board of Directors approved matching fundraising efforts up to $5,000 to aid in this scholarship endeavor. Rob Nichols, Club President, noted,  "I truly believe in this program and want to see it be sustainable and successful. We are excited to provide this opportunity for our students in Dare County."

Kitty Hawk Rotary Club Donates to COA Study Abroad: COA Foundation received $1,100 from the Kitty Hawk Rotary Club in support of COA's Study Abroad Program. The funds will be used to sponsor a COA-Dare student participating in the program. Click here for article.

The Edenton-Chowan Partnership Donates to CDL Program: The Edenton-Chowan Partnership has committed an annual $2,000 towards the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program at College of The Albemarle. The first two years, the money will go towards the start-up cost of the program and, thereafter, funds will go into the George P. Armstrong, Jr. Memorial Scholarship to award scholarships to students entering the CDL program at COA. Patti Kersey, member of the COA Board of Trustees and Foundation Board of Directors, stated:

"Thanks to the tremendous support of regional donors who have stepped up to help with the financing of the start-up of equipment costs, we anticipate that this Fall we will have a successful launch of the CDL course at COA-Edenton-Chowan. For several years, there has been a nationwide shortage of big-rig truck drivers and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may make that shortage even worse. Some Commercial Driving schools have had to shut down - COA will press ahead to do our part to ensure there are sufficient numbers of trained truck drivers who'll be needed now more than ever - they are our 'supply line' for essential goods and services!"

Manteo Rotary Club Donates to COA Study Abroad: COA Foundation received $1,000 from the Manteo Rotary Club in support of COA's Study Abroad Program. The scholarship will help sponsor COA-Dare students participating in the program. To read about the 2021 trip to Thailand, click here.

The Billy G. Roughton Memorial Scholarship: Established through a partnership with the Outer Banks Community Foundation, the Billy G. Roughton Memorial Scholarship includes two separate scholarship funds that will be awarded each year. One for Medical Professions ($1,265) will provide financial support for students pursuing studies toward a medical career; the other, for Tourism and Hospitality (up to $355 for all required courses), will be designated for students interested in tourism and/or hospitality. Both scholarships are awarded annually and are applicable for Dare or Currituck County residents with strong academic records. Click here to read about the life and legacy of Mr. Roughton.

Alumni Association News

The Alumni Association is breaking ground with new bylaws that have been approved and will be shared on the association's webpage.

Save the date for Friday, December 4, 2020 for the Alumni Association's annual meeting event. More details to come!

The association will have new discount cards for members available at the annual meeting in December. If you are a business in COA's 7-county service area who would like to be featured on the card, please contact Amy Alcocer at 252-335-0821, ext. 2263.

Help the association reach its goal of 150 members by June 30, 2020. Click here to join!

Student Scholarship News

Michael Williams was awarded the Jacquelin Jenkins Scholarship for Visual Arts for the spring semester 2020. The scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, is awarded to a student in a visual arts program. Students who apply participate in an interview process and share their portfolio of work completed at COA. Michael will graduate this summer with an Associate in Fine Arts.

Estuaries, COA's Visual Arts & Literary Review, is coming soon. Click on the photo below to see past editions of Estuaries. If you'd like a printed copy, email [email protected] .

College to Career Signing Day - Virtual Event

College of The Albemarle's 3rd annual College to Career (C2C) Signing Day will be VIRTUAL.

To participate, students must complete these steps by May 15:

*Each step is linked to the application.

To get started,  register online by clicking here!

The COA Foundation will be awarding up to $15,000 in scholarships for this year's signing day event. If you or someone you know is interested in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at COA, register now for the upcoming semester.

Featured Member: COA Foundation Board of Directors

Dr. Travis Burke

Dr. Travis Burke has never been afraid to try new things. In the 1970's he left Perquimans County to attend N.C. State University, where he majored in agricultural education, in the College of Agriculture and Sciences.

A motivated student, Burke completed his bachelor’s degree in three years, taking courses during the summers. He was somewhat out of his element while majoring in Agriculture at a major university, like N.C. State. His goal was to become an agricultural education teacher.

Dr. Burke spent 28 years in Pasquotank County, assuming the role of county Extension director in 1998, and in 2010, he became district Extension director for his home district, the Northeast. During his tenure, the district grew and extended from Raleigh to the coast along the Virginia border, encompassing 25 counties in that region. He then spent his final year at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as Associate Dean for N.C. State University.

What Dr. Burke valued about his time in Extension were the relationships - former 4-H’ers who became Extension agents or specialists. They have come back to visit him and have stayed in touch.*

Dr. Burke retired from NC State University in 2016. He has served on the Board of Trustees of College of The Albemarle since 2011 and on the Foundation's Board of Directors since 2014. Dr. Burke was recently appointed to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors at the Foundation's April meeting. He believes in the education made available to students at COA and has been a true advocate for the college. We thank Dr. Burke for his dedication and service to our college and community!

* Excerpt from 2014 NC State University magazine article.

Featured Alumni News

Michael Rallis '18

Michael Rallis was born in Bridgeport, CT and moved to Elizabeth City with his parents, Savvas and Irene Rallis, in 1997. He grew up in the family business when his parents took over The Vicki Villa. Michael’s first experience at COA was when he attended the Adult High School Program and graduated in 2001. As time went on, he focused on working at his family’s restaurant. In November 2016, Michael’s daughter was born, and he decided that he wanted to earn his degree not only for himself, but for his family.

In December 2016, Michael walked into COA determined to earn a degree. After guidance from the admissions advisors, he had registered for courses although a bit nervous having been 15 years since the last course he took. Michael worked tirelessly and earned his Associate of Arts in a year and a half while also completing online coursework through Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, NC. Michael graduated in July 2018 Summa Cum Laude. Michael’s determination had him wanting more, so he applied to East Carolina University (ECU). He is currently finishing up his Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration with a Concentration in Management,and has been accepted into the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at ECU, with his first MBA course set to start in June 2020. He plans to complete his MBA with a Certificate in Finance by Fall 2021.

Michael has been a long-time member of the community with deep community ties. Along with his family, he has been serving the community for over 22 years while providing not only great food but a great atmosphere for social gatherings. Amy Alcocer, Executive Director, COA Foundation, was enjoying a meal with her grandparents at Michael’s family restaurant when she informed him of the Alumni Association at COA. Michael was already a member of the COA Chapter of National Society of Leadership and Success, but was excited about the opportunity to become a Lifetime Member of COA’s Alumni Association.

Community Receptions with COA President, Dr. Jack Bagwell

Community receptions were held in the campus host counties of Edenton-Chowan, Currituck, Dare and Elizabeth City-Pasquotank during the months of February and March, as a follow-up to the tours that the counties graciously hosted for COA's new president, Dr. Jack Bagwell. The tours provided Dr. Bagwell with an overview of area businesses and industry leaders in the college's service area. Similar visits to Camden, Gates and Perquimans will hopefully be scheduled at a later date.

Top left photo: The Edenton-Chowan community reception is held at the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse. Earnell Brown, mayor of Hertford, was the COA student speaker at the event.

Top right: The Currituck community reception was held at Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg. Dr. Jack Bagwell (right) stands with COA student speaker, Dana Weeks.

Bottom left: The Dare community reception was held at Mako's Restaurant in Kill Devil Hills. Dr. Jack Bagwell (right) stands with COA student speaker, Tevin Ford.

Bottom right: Dr. Jack Bagwell (right) talks with Charles "Murph" Byrne and his wife, Barbara Byrne, at the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank community reception held at The YMCA at The Pines. Michael Williams was the COA student speaker at the event.

Check out our Dare Guarantee commercial by clicking on the image below!

The Dare County Guarantee Scholarship Program provides $250,000 to pay any COA tuition and fees not covered by financial aid and scholarships for Dare County residents. Awards are based on availability and additional funds may be given for books and computer needs. For more information, or to apply, visit here .

Thank you to our Community Sponsors! Your support of the Foundation's efforts is vital to ensuring COA has a lasting footprint in our service area for years to come.

Become a Community Sponsor today! Visit here for more info.