Eastern Shore Community College hosted Virginia Community College System Chancellor Glenn DuBois and staff members on Monday, November 28^th.   Chancellor DuBois hit the road this fall for a statewide listening tour to all 23 community colleges to learn about their student success efforts. The VCCS had challenged all the colleges in the system, to create a compelling and clear action plan for enhancing the overall student experience, and increasing the number of students who earn certificates, workforce credentials or associate degrees.
At each stop of the tour, the host college presents one best-practice program or initiative that is improving student success outcomes as they relate to an academic program, student service, workforce development initiative, college business practice, or technology innovation. A facilitated discussion and Q&A follows.

ESCC administration, faculty, staff, and current Board members, joined Chancellor Dubois and his staff, as VP of Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Kimberly Britt, presented on ESCC’s “TAKE 13” initiative.  “TAKE 13” derives its name from the thirteen credits that can be acquired through two, eight- week sessions at ESCC and answers a common quandary of balancing work, family, and school, with the classes being offered on Saturdays.  A student can be enrolled full-time, with only a one day a week commitment.  TAKE 13 comprises the basic composition of classes needed for many of the programs of study available at ESCC.  A follow-up to these thirteen credits is offered, so that at the end of the spring semester, the student would be half way to completing an associate degree, all done through one day per week classes.

Well received by the visiting audience, Chancellor DuBois informed the audience that ESCC and the “TAKE 13” initiative would be entered in the New Horizon’s Excellence in Education Awards competition for 2017.