Volume 25, Edition 8

Diesel Technician Graduates

On September 11, 2025, six students graduated from the Diesel Technician program at the Occupational Technical Center in Blackstone. Pictured are: Billy McGraw (Instructor), Zacariah Miller (Midlothian), Miriam Anderson (Glen Allen), Kenneth Gallmeyer (Louisa), Dakota Vaughan (Farmville), Garbiel Torres (Lynchburg), Odario Barnett (South Hill), and Russ Hicks (Instructor).

The next class begins January 5, 2026. For more information, visit our website https://southside.edu/diesel-technician, or contact Suzanne Shook 434-292-3101 or by email, suzanne.shook@southside.edu.

VCCA Conference

SVCC Staff represented well at the Virginia Community College Association Conference! Dr. Alfonzo Seward and Mrs. Tonia Talbott co-chaired a session entitled "Your Safety Matters: A Discussion Surrounding Workplace and Domestic Violence."

Additionally, the following staff brought home the below awards:

Martha Reed: Outstanding Faculty Award (Community Service, Christanna Campus); Makiko Malone: VCCA Staff Showcase Award (Christanna Campus); Joan Tuck: Outstanding Faculty Award (John H. Daniel Campus); and Debra Andrews: VCCA Staff Showcase Award (John H. Daniel Campus).

SVCC Visits the Capitol Square

SVCC leaders met with Secretary of Education Aimee Guidara and Senator Tammy Mulchi to spotlight facilities needs and discuss how improved resources can help us further our mission of serving students.

Virginia State Fair Skills USA Competition

SVCC Cosmetology students competed at the Virginia State Fair in the Skills USA Cosmetology Competition. They brought home the following awards:

Total Fashion Look-Prom/Gala - First Place

Aubree Wilbourne-Model

Kaylin Seamans-Hair

Karlea Wilson-Make-up

Total Fashion Look-Prom/Gala - Second Place

Kiersta Woodard - Makeup

Brooklyn Shepard - Model

Sara Foster - Hair

Natural Hair Braiding -

First Place

Alazae Pearson

Fantasy Nail - First Place

Afurah Dugger-Bynum - Nail Tech

Noslen Pollard - Model

Fantasy Nail - Second Place

Lane Whitehead - Nail Tech

Amanda White - Model

Fashion Mannequin Comb-Out

First Place: Amari Davis

Fashion Mannequin Comb-Out

Second Place: Jakiah Hurt

Fantasy Mannequin Comb-Out

First Place: Luci St Amour

Second Place: Mikaylah Jackson

Third Place: Kayleigh Moore

Fourth Place: Brittany Wright

Total Fantasy Look- Cartoon Theme -

First Place

Syetta Pettus - Makeup

Chenice Hatcher - Model

Shaniqua Ward - Hair

Total Fantasy Look- Cartoon Theme - Second Place

Jamie Jenkins-Model

Bridglee Malsbury-Makeup

Jocelyn Ashworth-Hair

Vaughan Siblings Share SVCC Success Story

Southside Virginia Community College recently celebrated a family milestone at the Diesel Technician graduation. A proud sister stood by her brother’s side as he completed the program just two years after she herself graduated from SVCC’s Truck Driving program.

Kayla Vaughan of Farmville has spent the past two years driving with F.L. Moore & Sons Trucking and says SVCC gave her “the extra mile” needed to succeed in the industry. “The program doesn’t just set you up—it gives you the extra push and hard work that made me the driver I am today,” she shared. She’s already encouraged four others to pursue SVCC’s Truck Driving Program.

Click Here to View the Full Story on Alumni, Kayla and Dakota

Fall Community Meetings

Did You Know? You Can Give to Charity Through Your IRA

If you’re age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to a qualifying charity—even if you haven’t yet reached the age for required minimum distributions (RMDs).

A QCD can:

Count toward your annual RMD
Be excluded from your taxable income
Provide a meaningful way to support causes you care about

Important: To qualify, your funds must be transferred directly from your IRA to the charity.

As always, consult your financial advisor to determine if this option is right for you.

If you are interested in supporting SVCC students, please click on the link below or contact Jamie Jones, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement by phone 434-949-1068 or by email jamie.jones@southside.edu.

I WANT TO SUPPORT SVCC STUDENTS