Urban Views Weekly February 25, 2015

Feb. 25, 2015

Scholar of the Week - Douglas Smith

Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher named

President of U of R

The Deal

By Jason Alderman

Making Sure Loved Ones Are Prepared for Their Retirement Years What if a sudden, debilitating illness, fraud or economic downturn affected your senior family member’s retirement, estate or longterm care issues? Would you be prepared to take over?

THURSDAY Mid-Town Richmond 11

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February 26, 2015 6pm-8pm

Oyster’s Pearl

Letter To The Editor

Schedule a family

continues on page 5

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Don’t wait for a crisis to initiate this conversation. Starting early can help you plan and even safeguard your own career and retirement planning. Here are some suggestions for starting the conversation:

Identify the missing links. Find information gaps you need to fill to help your senior relative plan for retirement.

If key financial information – investment and banking accounts, legal documents, or doctors’ contact information – is missing, list any and all unknowns to be researched and compiled.

Ervin B. Clarke, Publisher publisher@urbanviewsweekly.com

1401 Roseneath Road Richmond, VA 23230

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If the answer is no, you’re not alone. According to 2013 research (http:// www.pewresearch.org/ fact-tank/2013/07/18/ as-population-ages-moreamericans-becomingcaregivers/) from the Pew Research Center, four in 10 U.S. adults are caring for a loved one with significant health issues.

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Living History

Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher named 10th president of University of Richmond The Board of Trustees of the University of Richmond has elected Ronald Andrew Crutcher – a national leader in higher education, a distinguished classical musician, and an accomplished administrator – as the institution’s 10th president.

Crutcher will take office on July 1.

“It is an exceptional honor to be named president of the University of Richmond,” said Crutcher. “This has long been a place of academic excellence, and it is also a place of substantive progress on issues that all of American higher education is seeking to address such as ensuring access to educational opportunity to the most promising students of all backgrounds. Much that animates Richmond has animated my own work over decades, and I look forward to working with the University community to build on Richmond’s remarkable foundation.”

“The Board is thrilled to have Ron Crutcher as the University’s next president,” said Patricia L. Rowland, W’77 and GB’81, rector of the board of trustees. “He embodies the excellence that defines the University and is deeply committed to the teacher-scholar model that allows Richmond to make a transformational difference in students’ lives. He brings to Richmond’s presidency more than four decades of academic and administrative achievement at a diverse range of institutions. We believe he will provide outstanding leadership to continue the University’s strong trajectory and standing among the nation’s leading institutions.”

Crutcher currently serves as co-chair of LEAP (Liberal Education and America’s Promise), the Association of American Colleges & Universities’ national campaign to promote wider understanding of the importance of liberal education in preparing students for careers and citizenship. He writes and speaks widely on the value of liberal education and the democratic purposes and civic mission of higher education. He has also served on the Board of the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Fulbright Association and was Chair of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts.

Crutcher is President Emeritus of Wheaton College (MA). During his tenure as president (20042014), he raised the institution’s profile, increased enrollment and diversity of the student body, created new interdisciplinary faculty positions and new programs in film and new media studies, He also will be a professor of music at Richmond. bioinformatics, neuroscience and business and He is a former member of the Cincinnati Symphony Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher and his wife Dr. Betty Neal Crutcher management, and ensured the institution’s financial Orchestra and several other symphonies and stability during a challenging economic period for currently performs in the U.S. and Europe as a all of higher education. During that time, Wheaton students also garnered prestigious member of the Klemperer Trio with Erika Klemperer, violin, and Gordon Back, piano. academic honors including four Truman Scholarships, three Marshall Scholarships, He serves or has served on the boards of the Berklee College of Music, the Boston two Goldwater Scholarships and two Rhodes Scholarships. Wheaton also consistently Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cincinnati Opera Association, the ranked among the top Fulbright Scholarship producers among liberal arts colleges, Austin Symphony Orchestra and the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble. He was President of winning 71 Fulbright scholarships in the 10-year period.

Chamber Music America from 1996 to 2000. Earlier He oversaw – from design to completion – the in his career, he was director of the highly ranked largest capital project in the college’s history, a Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at $46 million science center. He also led the most Austin (1994-1999) and dean of the Conservatory at successful campaign in Wheaton’s history, which the Cleveland Institute of Music (1990-1994), one of secured $137.6M during a severe economic the nation’s most prominent music conservatories. downturn, passing the $120M goal more than a Crutcher, who began studying the cello at 14, year ahead of schedule. The campaign engaged 72 became the first cellist to receive the doctor of percent of alumni and raised significant funds for musical arts degree from Yale, where he also earned scholarships, athletic facilities, academic facilities, his master’s. He earned his undergraduate degree internships and faculty-mentored research. from Miami University.

Crutcher also strengthened ties between the college and the surrounding community.

Crutcher is the recipient of honorary degrees from Wheaton College and Colgate University, the From 1999-2004, he was provost and executive vice Presidential Medal of Honor from the University president for academic affairs at Miami University of Cordoba in Spain, the Yale School of Music’s of Ohio.

Distinguished Alumni continues on page 8

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Photos courtesy of Wheaton College

Urban Views Weekly | February 25, 2015

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ViewPoints

Jackie Robinson Little League & the Politics of Drawing the Line

By Dr. T

Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in professional sports by becoming the first African American to play for a major league baseball team when he donned the uniform of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Robinson paved the way for other black Americans in professional sports but, in particular, for black baseball players who had notoriety and fame in the Negro Leagues, but did not have the ability to make the money or fulltime careers that were afforded whites in the major leagues while playing in what has always been euphemistically called “America’s past-time”. The participation of African Americans began to grow, eventually rising to almost 28 percent of all major league players by 1975. However, today fewer African Americans are playing in Major League Baseball than two decades ago. When making an accounting of all dark-skinned players, the count remains as high as 20 percent, but African American participation numbers have been in a steady decline since 1975.

ending. However, due to some arbitrary lines drawn by political elites with no common or actual interest in our communities, the adult overseers of this Jackie Robinson West Championship Team overstepped their boundaries by allowing players (actually one player) who lived on the other side of the arbitrary line to play on the team when he should not have been allowed to do so. Because of this oversight by the gatekeepers, these young accomplished superstars have been stripped of a title that they legitimately won.

They beat Nevada’s team on the field and nobody can ever take that away from them. Unfortunately, they have been stripped of their title and their trophy. Whether or not these events will forever change how these young boys look at baseball, or if it ultimately affects their perceptions of fairness, equality and truth will not be known for some years to come. What is true is that these kids are Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. being punished because of things that were beyond their control Founder and Artistic Director and were not their fault. After all is said and done, it cannot The Conciliation Project and help but be a defining moment in their lives. The consequences Associate Professor The Jackie Robinson West Little League baseball team of Chicago, of stepping into history can be both rewarding and incredibly Virginia Commonwealth University Illinois brought excitement, notoriety, and rekindled an interest in painful. Hopefully, the team and the individual players have a DrT@Margins2theCenter.com baseball within the African American community that we haven’t community, a family, and leaders with integrity that can and will www.theconciliationproject.org seen for decades when they won the U.S. Championship of Little help them to navigate their way through the disappointment, League Baseball in 2014. What a story! An all black little league confusion and clear injustice of the unfortunate series of events baseball team front and center on the national stage bringing pride to a community that have left them without a trophy and without the recognition they legitimately that has had its share of tragic news stories. A team of youngsters who worked hard deserve for the championship they won…but didn’t. and dedicated themselves tirelessly to becoming the best in the land, now reaping the fruits of their labor and uplifting the spirit and psyche of an entire community Up Next Week: Women doing the Work without the Compensation as they, hand over hand, lifted the trophy of champions and were invited to visit the White House to shake the hand of President Barack Obama. It was a storybook

TanyaFree.com/ Urban Views Weekly Poll Snow has dominated our lives and the news over the past few weeks. Closed airports, cancelled classes, supermarket runs, blocked driveways, and cabin fever are the new norm for many of us on the east coast. Some love it and others, not so much. How about you?

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financial meeting. Schedule a specific day and time and create an agenda that meets the needs of your senior relative.

It is not always necessary to involve all direct family members in a preliminary discussion, but make sure that relevant individuals are aware of the meeting. After helping your senior relative assess his or her financial situation, make sure to identify next steps and responsibilities.

Locate important financial documents. Ask your senior relative to show you where his or her key documents and accounts are, such as retirement and pension information, checkbooks, investment statements, insurance policies, and legal and estate data.

Find out where incoming bills are kept in case you have to step in and help manage monthly bills.

Consider seeking financial counseling. Any number of reasons, from illness to fraud, may explain losing control of personal finances. If your relative has been working with a qualified financial or tax advisor, the family team should consider meeting with him or her if a need arises. If outside tax, financial or legal help is needed, the team and www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Call (804) 441-6255

your senior relative should discuss who those professionals should be, what their fees are and what you expect them to do.

Make and agree on a plan. After all the information gathering and discussion is complete, make a plan – in writing, if possible – to review the senior’s wishes, set an action plan and assign responsibilities as necessary. As mentioned above, you should review this plan every year. And if problems emerge in any topic area from retirement to health issues, you’ll find guidance throughout the Practical Money Skills for Life website. (http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/personalfinance/) Bottom line: Asking older relatives about retirement, estate, and long-term care preparations can be an uncomfortable conversation. Making a plan and initiating early conversations to involve the right people can ease the financial strain and stress on everyone involved.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

Urban Views Weekly | February 25, 2015

5

Don’t Leave Financi

Helping today’s youth GRA

Uh oh! College is knocking on your child’s door…. in just a few short years, college applications, essays, and college life will be a reality.

For college, to really be a reality, financial aid is a key factor in a student’s college career. About two-thirds of full-time undergraduate college students receive some type of financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans or work-study. Approximately 38 percent of financial aid dollars awarded to undergraduates are in the form of federal loans, and the rest are grants, scholarships, federal workstudy, and tax credits and deductions. Despite all the news stories about rising college prices, a college education is more affordable than most people believe.

The GReat Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc. (GRASP) is helping these dreams of college become a reality and wants students and parents to learn about financial aid so they can reach their academic goals.

Mission of GRASP

GRASP is a non-profit, charitable, college-access organization that assists students and families in obtaining funding for post-secondary education.

GRASP will help students and their families, regardless of their financial resources and at no charge to them, develop an educational plan by: • Assisting them with the financial aid process; • Awarding and administering scholarships; • Inspiring them to believe that post-secondary education is attainable; and • Supporting them during the completion of their postsecondary education.

Our goal is to ensure that every student has an equal opportunity for continuing education after high school, regardless of financial or social circumstances.

GRASP advisors are placed at participating Virginia high schools and schools for students with disabilities. They are adept at navigating 6

Urban Views Weekly | February 25, 2015

the college financial aid system and the processes required to make a post-secondary educational plan a reality. Advisors work without charge to the students and their families primarily through individual in-school meetings. They also present financial aid seminars in libraries and other public forums.

[VIDEO: Paying for College with GRASP https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=bfZ21xdo1iw ] GRASP’s reach spans an increasing number of public and private schools in Virginia and is distinguished by its policy of channeling more than 50% of its resources to those who have significant financial challenges.

Regardless of a family’s circumstances, GRASP financial aid advisors help students overcome challenges to participating in the dream of an education after high school.

“I am the first in my family to graduate from college. GRASP is a wonderful organization that helps students like me attain post secondary education. I knew that I was going to college, I just didn’t know how. My GRASP Advisor helped me with the college application process and helped me receive all of the financial aid that I qualify for.

I am very grateful for everything that GRASP has done for me and my family and I hope to one day give back to the organization that gave me so much.” says Selma Avdic.

Avdic has been associated with GRASP from her senior year in high school through all of her college years (graduated U of R last spring.) She is now at Virginia Commonwealth University completing an accounting program.

GRASP was founded in 1983 by Senator Walter Stosch, a longtime advocate for children, and Dr. Ray Gargiulo, a career educator, who saw the need for assisting and advising students in the development of an educational plan for after high school. Since its beginning, the program’s core has been in-school advisors coaching students and parents, presenting financial aid education in school classroom

settings, and delivering financial aid seminars in libraries and other public forums.

In the 2008-2009 school year, GRASP began complementing the in-school advisor program by providing Last Dollar Scholarships.

Although GRASP advisors are often able to assemble a sizable financial aid package for students, frequently an additional $500 to $2,000 of expenses for books, technology needs and other costs are not covered by the financial aid package. As a result, some students are unable to attend the institution to which they have been accepted for admission. The need for small, targeted Last Dollar Scholarships became apparent, and through the generosity of the foundation, business and personal donors these scholarships became possible.

Since the 2009-2010 school year, GRASP has awarded at least one Last Dollar Scholarship per GRASP school or venue per year, averaging scholarship totals of between $65,000 - $115,000 per year.

“GRASP advisors have helped students, me in particular, discover

ial Aid on the Table

ASP infinite opportunities

Aid) assistance, in public schools, at no cost to the students/ families. How to Fill Out a FAFSA https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=VRyXfUStHO0 GRASP advisors assisted over 6,000 students, individually, in the 2013-14 academic year. GRASP advisors are in all of the Richmond city and surrounding area public schools, as well as other parts of the state.

In the 2014 - 2015 school year, GRASP expanded to 76 schools from Bath County to Sussex County to Colonial Beach, due to increased demand for our advising services.

GRASP has expanded it services over the years to include College Success, Last Dollar Scholarships, Community Outreach, SOAR Virginia®, and the Dominion Student Worker Program.

the courage within themselves to further their education with the generous scholarships given to us by the non-profit organization. Their compassionate advisowrs and staff who are eager to assist you have benefited the community by teaching students and their parents the significance of completing all the necessary steps of the Financial Aid process as well as applying for scholarships. GRASP is indeed all about great aspirations!” says Amanda Nolan, who is finishing her second year at John Tyler Community College and plans to transfer to a four-year university.

GRASP is a college access organization that assists students and their families with the financial aid process for post-secondary educations (technical school, community college, 4-year college). GRASP helps students regardless of their financial situation and at no charge to them.

FAFSA Season is Here!

GRASP also provides weekly financial aid advising services, and specially FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student

By J. Alexander SOAR Virginia® is an Early Commitment Scholarship Program created and funded by Virginia529 College Savings Plan to inspire and assist high school students to reach their postsecondary education goals. To participate, eligible students pledge to meet program requirements. In return, students receive a range of assistance and may accumulate scholarship support of up to $2,000 to apply toward their post-secondary education expenses.

In GRASP participating schools, 647 students have participated in the program; 96% are on track to graduate.

SAVE

Ten high school students are participating in Dominion Virginia Power’s student worker program this summer. This is a paid program, very similar to an internship, whereby GRASP students are engaged for a summer work session and are placed in positions within fields of their interest.

Provided students have satisfactory performance, they may be extended an offer to return the following summer to participate in Dominion’s internship program. The ultimate objective is for the student to be offered full-time employment with Dominion upon completion of postsecondary education, if opportunities exist. Six GRASP students who participated in the partnership last summer have returned this summer as part of Dominion’s internship program.

“My GRASP representative helped me with the transition into college with advice on FASFA and finding scholarship opportunities. GRASP also helped me to land an internship with Dominion Power. After finishing two associate’s degrees, I was able to start a career at Dominion Power with the help of the internship experience I received through GRASP.” Says Casey Osborne, who started working full time with Dominion this past fall.

the Date

March 7th

GRASP’s College Success Program seeks to increase the college graduation rate for GRASP students and scholarship recipients by: • helping them re-file financial aid AND scholarship forms each year • providing valuable tips regarding internships and summer jobs • acting as a liaison between the college financial aid offices and the students should a problem arise • awarding scholarships for students with unmet financial need

Financial Aid informational event FREE at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch

Community Outreach includes Saturday at the Library. The next event is Saturday, March 7, 2015 at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch. Call (804) 527-7772 to make an appointment.

Saturday at the Library really helps students and parents become more knowledgeable about the aid possibilities available to them.

Both students and schools benefit from students getting a better education. Students not being able to get financial aid could result in colleges losing great students.

GRASP is making dreams reality for sure. And, in this day and age, it’s time for every child to have the opportunity to go to college. For more information on GRASP events, to make a donation and other financial aid information, visit: www.grasp4va.org or call (804) 527-7726. www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

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Civic Beat

From Living History: page 3

Award, and the Ellen S. Jackson Award for Excellence in Education from the Freedom House in Boston.

FUNdraising Good Times

Lion King actor gives back to cities across the country You’re trying to raise money. You know who could provide the funds. You set personal appointments, talk with people in person. You know you have a good project that will make an impact. And all you hear is “no.” When do you give up?

Russell Joel Brown heard no 75 times before he got to “yes.”

He could have given up earlier, but he didn’t. It’s just not who he is. A singer, dancer, and actor, he didn’t give up when auditioning for Disney’s “The Lion King.”

Russell auditioned 10 times over ten years.

The “yes” was elusive. He toured the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Japan with “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”, “The Scarlet Pimpernel”, and “Ain’t Misbehavin.” But each time he auditioned for “The Lion King”, the producers couldn’t figure out how to cast him.

A member of the Brown family from Augusta, GA, Russell is also committed to his parents and siblings. When it came time to care for his father, and then his mother, he took a break from touring and became a caretaker. He also continued to perform, this time in local productions, fundraisers and cabarets. His unstoppable creativity expressed itself in “From Mozart to Motown”, the one-man show he developed in 2002 in Augusta.

It’s one thing to create a show, it’s another thing to secure the resources required to produce it. That’s where Brown’s vision and determined optimism made a difference. After getting his 75th “no”, he didn’t give up. Number 76 was Peter Knox, IV, the owner of D Timms Jazz Cafe. Knox said yes, but not as an investor

or underwriter. He wanted his cafe to be the sponsor. And so, D. Timm’s and Comcast proudly present From Mozart to Motown – An Evening with Russell Joel Brown sold out the Imperial Theatre in Augusta, bringing an integrated audience to Brown’s one-man revue.

Brown is committed to the arts and to ensuring young people can grow their talents. When on the road, he takes the time to bring his Project Inspire program to schools and arts organizations. He shares videos from “The Lion King”, tells his story, and encourages children and youth to focus on their talents. He offers guidance in the business side of life as an actor, talking with them about preparation, reputation, and how to negotiate.

Brown is a Morehouse man, and while in college was a member of the Morehouse College Glee Club and Morehouse Quartet. Before that, he began his dance training as a young child at the Augusta Ballet School, following in the footsteps of his sister, Karen Brown, who went on to become the principal ballerina for Dance Theatre of Harlem from 1973 – 1995. His life is committed to theatre and the next generation.

You can reach Brown at THREATS3@aol. com .

Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising, visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

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Urban Views Weekly | February 25, 2015

His election concludes an extensive national search. A presidential search committee, co-chaired by Allison P. Weinstein, board of trustees, and George W. Wellde Jr., B’74, trustee emeritus and past rector, included trustees, alumni, faculty, staff and student representatives.

“Our charge was to find an outstanding leader who would build on the University’s momentum and strengths, further enhance academic quality, engage alumni actively in the life of the University, secure wider recognition for the University’s excellence and ensure Richmond successfully navigates the challenges that all of higher education will face in the coming years,” said Wellde. “We believe we have found all of that in Ron Crutcher.

Not surprisingly, the position attracted an exceptional pool of candidates, and even among this very strong field, Ron stood out.

“Dr. Crutcher’s genuine passion for students is evident. He clearly earned the respect and admiration of Wheaton’s students, and he and his wife personally served as mentors to many students there,” said Alex Holva, a student member of the search committee and a Richmond senior. “Dr. Crutcher made it clear that he values student input and will be a champion for worthy student causes. He understands Richmond’s student-centered approach and is eager to showcase

Photos courtesy of Wheaton College

students’ talents and achievements.

“Dr. Crutcher’s values align wholly with those of our community, and it is clear that he is the one to lead the University of Richmond into our next chapter,” said Dr. Crystal L. Hoyt, search committee member, University Faculty Council chair, and associate professor of leadership studies and psychology. “He is passionate about transforming students’ lives through a holistic education grounded in the teacher-scholar model, and he is committed to promoting faculty and student scholarship.

He has a sophisticated understanding of the essential role of accessibility and diversity in higher education.

I am overjoyed to have Dr. Crutcher join us in preparing our students to become global citizens equipped to lead in a complex world.”

Crutcher and his wife Dr. Betty Neal Crutcher, who consults and leads workshops for organizations and institutions in cross-cultural mentoring, are parents of Sara Crutcher, who lives in Chicago.

The university will hold a welcoming reception on campus for Crutcher and his wife on Feb. 27 in the Robins Center Arena. Crutcher will deliver remarks at 2 p.m. followed by a reception. All students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to the event.

For more information on President-elect Crutcher, visit presidentelect.richmond. edu/about.

www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Community

Job Shadowing Opportunity Leads to Invaluable Experience for Petersburg Students Students toured the credit union, met employees and took part in discussions connected to services offered, professionalism, and quality customer care.

Several Petersburg High School (PHS) students are getting a hands-on lesson on how to effectively run a business. Members of the school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club recently visited Fort Lee Federal Credit Union in Hopewell, VA. “This job shadowing event was the perfect opportunity for FBLA members to observe workplace readiness and career-specific business skills that are actually being used within a professional setting,” said FBLA Coordinator, Cedric Newsome.

www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

“I learned that people with financial skills aren’t the only people qualified to work at a credit union. You can have I.T. skills, customer service skills, and teamwork skills,” said Andre Ragsdale, FBLA president.

The FBLA members spent time with Patsy Stuard, CEO, who shared how she started working at the credit union in 1978 as a teller and eventually worked her way up to CEO. Stuard delivered a strong message to students, “There is no set path required to be successful. You must have the determination and drive to succeed.”

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Urban Views Weekly | February 25, 2015

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Scholar of the Week

By Janeal Downs While many different topics and activities may catch his attention, Douglas Smith said his biggest interest is in church and his faith. As a member of West Broad Church of Christ, he said church is one of the biggest reasons why he is able to succeed. “This has shaped me into the person that I am today by showing me the true value of respecting others and how to be able to do the right thing at all times, even when at times it feels hard,” Douglas stated in an essay. Church has taught him many valuable lessons such as respect and even timeliness. When people are late to church, they are disrupting the service and may not even get to participate. He said he can use lessons like these outside of church but in the workplace as well.

Douglas Smith of Open High School

GPA: 3.95

College of Interest: Virginia Commonwealth University Major Community Service: Work with his church, work at the library Strong Interests: Information technology, politics, business Favorite Activities: Going to church, robotics, Mayor’s youth academy

Commonwealth University. The fact that the school was close to home was a not a factor in his choice but the appealing campus and their Information Technology program inside of the Business School.

Besides computers, Douglas has an interest in music and government. On the weekends, and in his spare time, he plays the clarinet which he has been playing since he was in the Fifth Grade. He even played in the Marching Band in his earlier years of high school. In regards to government, not only does Douglas like to follow politics but he is also the president of his senior class and a dominant force in his junior class council. “I was able to lead my class by being the example,” Currently, as a senior at Open High Douglas said. He has been able to learn ™ School, Douglas has a 3.95 GPA. He how to work with others and make ek of the We also is in a dual enrollment program compromises with all of the different at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community opinions in his class. As a member of College where his GPA is a 4.0. He the Mayor’s Youth Academy, Douglas hopes to continue his education has another leadership position as by going to college and pursuing a career in information the Youth President. He is a member of the robotics team, technology. He has always been around computers, thanks to his RVA Coder Collective, based out of the Eureka Workshop with dad who he says is his biggest influence. “He was always around CodeVA. The robotics teams are made up of three high schools computers and he showed me the different things I could do,” and three middle schools.

Douglas said. “The more I could do, the more I started to like it.”

Douglas plans to continue his work in the community in the The rapid advancement of technology in today’s world excites future and said it is important to give back to people. “There Douglas, which is another reason why he hopes to support are still people to this day who still don’t know how to use himself in the future with a career in information technology. computers or operate them,” he said. In the future, in his spare Douglas has already gotten experience with helping people and time, he wants to open a small place which can help different using his talent with technology by being able to assist people people with technology and also encourage people and help at the library with their computers. To further his education, them learn what they need to do to also go to college. of the 14 colleges he has applied to, his top choice is Virginia

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Urban Views Weekly | February 25, 2015

Do you know a High School Senior who can meet the following criteria?

1. Have a 3.0 grade point average or better 2. Participates in extracurricular community service activities 3. Attends public school in Central Virginia Go to UrbanViewsWeekly.com for application and details.

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How to Guide

How to Choose a Community College

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Whether you’re looking for a new career or to just brush up on some job skills, a community college is a great place to start. Community colleges are a great way to save money, earn college credits, or learn new skills. Many people start their academic careers at a community college before transferring to a four-year institution.

Your local community college may even have a partnership with a university so you could earn a bachelor’s degree right on campus.

These colleges are also a fantastic option for students with family responsibilities, full-time jobs, or other obligations. Tuition is often far less expensive than at a large university.

There are plenty of things to consider when choosing a community college.

Location, tuition costs, courses and ease of scheduling are all factors to keep in mind.

Research all the colleges in your area. The ideal community college should be no more than 30 minutes away and accessible by car or public transportation. You’ll be more likely to attend classes if it doesn’t take hours to get there. Typically, there is no or very limited on-campus living.

Cost is always a major factor. Many community colleges have two levels of tuition: one for in-area residents and one for out-of-area residents. If you live in the same county as the community college, you can expect to pay a third to half of what others pay. There might also be financial assistance available. Local businesses concentrate their resources on their local community colleges. They might provide scholarships for www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

newspaper. You can also pick up a course catalogue from the college itself. Review their offerings. If you need to take classes in the late evening, are there enough available to make it worth attending that college? What about distance learning opportunities? Many colleges let students earn certificates or degrees completely online.

students. State and federal grants and loans can also help defray the costs of higher education.

Courses are another consideration when choosing a community college.

Make sure your community college is accredited or has a cooperative partnership with local or state universities. There is nothing worse than attending college for two years only to find your credits aren’t transferrable.

If you find several community colleges offer your choice of major, research their internship program and reputation.

Do they have employment statistics?

Choosing a college with a higher employment rate could benefit you after graduation.

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM

Non-traditional students may need a more flexible schedule. Classes may be offered several days of the week, in the morning or evening.

Many colleges have weekend classes.

Students who need to graduate quickly may take accelerated programs. You might simply need to earn a certification for a current or future job. Community colleges offer these programs as well. Be sure to ask your employer about tuition reimbursement.

Consider your lifestyle and personal requirements when choosing a community college. It is likely that a community college in your area will fit your needs and get you on your way to that promotion, new job, or just updated skills.

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Urban Views Weekly | February 25, 2015

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Urban Views Weekly | February 25, 2015

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