The leadership of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center is pleased to announce that Ann Switzer has earned the designation Certified Nurse Educator (CNE). Switzer is the Associate Director of the Center of Nursing Excellence (a division of Workforce Services). She earned the CNE designation after meeting strict eligibility criteria and successfully completing a rigorous certification examination developed and administered by the National League for Nursing (NLN).

“The NLN’s Academic Nurse Educator Certification program has conferred new visibility and stature upon the academic nursing community that is long overdue,” said Dr. Beverly Malone, CEO of the NLN. “Through the certification program, we have made clear to the ranks of higher education that the role of nurse educator is an advanced professional practice discipline with a defined practice setting and demonstrable standards of excellence.”

Workforce training in welding took one step closer to becoming a reality for Halifax County residents on Friday when the Southside Economic Development arm of the Virginia Tobacco Commission approved a $154,114 request by the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.

Currently no such welding training exists in Halifax County with welding students having to travel to nearby community colleges or Virginia Technical Institute (VIT) in Altavista to take the classes.

Grant funds will be used to modify existing unfinished space in the outdoor classroom at the Innovation Center of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center to house the newly-developed workforce training welding program.

According to Dr. Betty Adams, executive director of the higher education center, construction on the welding classroom is expected to start in June and be complete by May of next year with the first welding students being admitted to class in August of 2014.

The welding program for Halifax County competed with 10 other applications this year to receive a portion of the remaining $641,098 in Southside Economic Development grant funds.

 

The two-night workshop will meet in the SVHEC Perkins Computer Lab, and the fee is $75.00. Introduction to Quickbooks will be facilitated by SVHEC Accounting Manager Brenda Terry. Terry holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Averett University, and a Master’s degree in Accounting from Strayer University. She has used QuickBooks extensively in her roles at the SVHEC.

QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting software packages, providing an easy way to track and maintain your organization’s financial health. QuickBooks allows users to quickly pay bills, to effortlessly create invoices, to easily generate easy-to-read financial reports, and to stay on top of incoming receipts and outgoing payments. Churches, non-profits, and small businesses in need of professional quality accounting software are encouraged to take advantage of the QuickBooks training workshops.

For more information about the QuickBooks Financial Software Workshops, contact Deloris Jones, SVHEC Workforce Administrative Support Specialist. Jones may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 434-572-5593 and toll free 1-800-283-0098 ext 5593.

820 Bruce Street was abuzz on Sunday, April 21st as the SVHEC hosted Open House 2013. The theme was “Get Career or College Ready Right in Your Own Backyard.” SVHEC educational and workforce partners were present to share information about the many programs and financial aid opportunities available in Halifax County.

Open House participants participated in the following:
•    Tours of the SVHEC’s main building and the SVHEC-Innovation Center
•    Live demonstrations in the Center of Nursing Excellence and the R&D Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Energy Efficiency
•    Demonstrations with a welding simulator
•    Information sessions with the Community Colleges, Mary Baldwin College, Tobacco Region Scholarship Program, and the Halifax Industrial Development Authority

Several door prizes were given away including a Google Nexus 7 tablet (Dorothy Traynham), Chamber Checks (Timothy Lacks), iTunes gift card (Joeby Terry), and Walmart gift card (Tevin Logan).

If you missed the open house, but would like information on how the SVHEC can help you get college or career ready, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 434-572-5566 or toll free 1-800-283-0098 ext 5566.