Press Releases, Student Life

NCC Certified as AVID National Demonstration Site

DSC_0573Nash Community College is pleased to announce it has been certified as one of only two National Demonstration Sites for Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Higher Education (AHE).

​AVID Chief Executive Officer Sandy Husk praised Nash for its campus-wide implementation of AHE components. “Educators at Nash, both administrators and faculty members, understand that one change in one area is not enough to assure student success. Leadership and faculty work together to create a student-centered campus that is committed to preparing students for successful college transfer and rewarding careers. This is the key to its success, and we are delighted that AVID could assist Nash in addressing its mission of fostering lifelong learning opportunities.”​

For the last four years, Nash Community College has partnered with AVID as part of the campus professional development plan. AHE worked with NCC to develop and implement a common instructional language, which has established a framework of continuous improvement both in the classroom and across the campus.

“This is a journey that is not over,” NCC President Dr. Bill Carver said during the announcement ceremony Tuesday. “When it is our job to prepare students for success, it is not good enough for only a small number to graduate. If we want to build a better state, the responsibility is on the backs of community colleges. It is about the students. We do not have a special department or group of students impacted by great instruction. We are an ‘all in’ college and that is what Blue Love is all about.”

As an AVID campus, Nash Community College has implemented research based instructional strategies to engage students and prepare them for success. “Last year, the Nash Community College Professional Development Committee set a goal of becoming an AVID National Demonstration Site. The campus hosted an initial site team visit in November, received feedback, and prepared for the certification site visit which occurred on Tuesday,” NCC Vice President for Instruction and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Trent Mohrbutter said. “AVID is recognized around the world as an organization that works to improve student success in K-12 and Higher Education. NCC was one of the first institutions in the country to implement AVID for Higher Education, and is only the second college to be certified as a National Demonstration Site,” Mohrbutter said.

This week AVID leaders spoke with NCC students, observed instruction, interviewed faculty and staff and toured campus while evaluating instructional engagement.