Here’s a round-up of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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University of Lynchburg to offer free leadership workshop to male students of color from city high schools
The University of Lynchburg and Lynchburg Tomorrow, a university-led community initiative, will offer a free leadership development workshop this summer to eligible students from two local high schools.
The Scholar Identity Institute, led by Gilman Whiting, is for rising 10th- through 12th-grade male students of color from E.C. Glass and Heritage high schools. Up to 50 participants will be selected for the pilot program, which takes place on the University of Lynchburg campus from June 6-10. Applications are available at each school and are due May 4.
Whiting, founder and director of the Scholar Identity Model and Institute and a Vanderbilt University professor, explained that a “scholar identity” is about more than grades and academic performance.
The concept of a “scholar identity” is based on three key assumptions, according to Whiting. First, that Black and Hispanic males are more likely to achieve academically when they have a scholar identity; second, that Black and Hispanic males are more likely to be viewed as possessing the potential for giftedness if they achieve at higher levels; and third, that these male students are more likely to reach their potential when expectations of them are high.
“Dr. Whiting’s approach has worked well in Nashville and other areas of the country, and we are confident that it will make a big impact in Lynchburg, too,” said Associate Provost Roger Jones, who helped bring the institute to Lynchburg. “We have a large population of male students of color here who would benefit from this program.”
Participants must meet the following criteria to be considered:
- Complete an application.
- 2.5 GPA (or recommendation from a school administrator/counselor).
- A parent or guardian must provide permission to participate and sign a “support agreement” to encourage the student to discuss what is being learned, and how the learning from an academic institute can be applied in his life.
- Teacher or administrator recommendation.
- Willingness to engage with other participants during and after the institute.
- Agree to meet with a school-based mentor who will maintain weekly contact with the student during the 2022-23 academic year.
- Agree to attend a dinner before the school year starts at the University of Lynchburg in August 2022. Parents or guardians will also be invited.
For more information, email Jones at jones@lynchburg.edu or call 434-660-5300.
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GO Virginia Region 3 board to meet May 5
The GO Virginia Region 3 board will meet May 5 at The Prizery in South Boston for the semi-annual All-Hands Meeting where beneficiaries of GOVA projects will share their personal experiences.
Region 3 consists of the cities of Danville and Martinsville and the counties of Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Henry, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward.
Business leaders, educators, government officials and others dedicated to the economic vitality of Southern Virginia are encouraged to attend the event, which is part of Virginia’s business-led economic development initiative.
The following speakers will be presenting at the 2022 All-Hands Meeting:
● Larry Terry, University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
● Julie Brown, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
● Lauren Mathena, Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corp.
● Linda Green, Southern Virginia Regional Alliance
● Liz Povar, GO Virginia Region 3
● Samantha Smith-Herndon, Southern Virginia Regional Alliance
● Sheri McGuire, Longwood University Office of Community and Economic Development
Program highlights include:
● Presentations on strategic planning, entrepreneurship, workforce development, business continuity and recovery, and leadership development
● GO TEC bus in the parking lot of The Prizery
● Networking breaks
● Opportunity to take a tour of the SOVA Innovation Hub after the meeting
To learn more or register for the free event, visit www.govirginia3.org/all-hands-meeting-2022/ or email bryan.david@virginia.edu.
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Nominations acccepted for governor’s volunteerism and community service awards
Nominations are being accepted for the 2022 Virginia Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Awards.
Individual honors will be awarded in the categories of youth, young adult, senior and adult volunteers. Group honors will be awarded in the categories of faith-based organizations, families that volunteer together, community organizations, small businesses and corporations.
“It is an honor and a privilege to recognize the commitment of our statewide volunteers,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a news release announcing the awards. “Each year we celebrate the service of these individuals, organizations, and companies as a way to not only thank them for their extraordinary efforts, but to raise up all of our incredible volunteers and inspire all Virginians to serve.”
The awards have been presented for more than 20 years, according to Kathy Spangler, executive director of the Virginia Service Commission. More than two million people volunteer each year across the state and contribute more than 240 million volunteer hours annually.
This year’s winners will be honored in September. Follow this link to nominate a person or group or to receive more information. The nomination period ends at 5 p.m. June 17. Nomination forms must be submitted online and require two letters of support.
If you have additional questions about the Governor’s Volunteerism Awards, email virginiaserviceinfo@dss.virginia.gov. Information on last year’s winners can be found here.
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Nurses group installs officers
The Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners installed new state officers and recognized state and national award winners during its annual conference at the Omni Homestead Resort on March 4. State officers will serve a two-year term.
New state officers are:
- President – Olivia MJ Newby, DNP, FNP-BC, CDCES, FAANP (Norfolk)
- President-elect – Alysia Erin Pack, DNP(c), MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CNE (Smithfield)
- Immediate Past President – Rebekah Compton, DNP, RN, FNP-BC (Charlottesville)
- Secretary – Katy Morgan, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC (Palmyra)
- Treasurer – HoChong Gilles, DNP, FNP-C (Richmond)
VCNP recognized two individuals for outstanding contributions as nurse practitioners:
- Education Award – Helen Willis, MSN, ACNP-BC, CCRN (Richmond)
- Rising Star Award – Jennifer Breseman, DNP, FNP-BC (Reston)
VCNP also recognized Carole Everhart, DNP, FNP-BC, of Cana, who received the 2022 American Association of Nurse Practitioners State Award for Excellence in Virginia.
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Junior Achievement in Roanoke looking for volunteers
Junior Achievement says it’s in need of volunteers at two elementary schools in Roanoke on April 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27 and in Roanoke County on April 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27.
For more information, email education@jaswva.org.