By JULIE S. PARKER
R-C Community College

AHOSKIE – Her enthusiasm is contagious and she brings hope to every individual that enters her classroom.

She is not your traditional teacher and this is not your traditional class. The students have been ordered to attend by the court system for failure to pay child support.

The teacher is Roanoke-Chowan Community College graduate Edwina Vann. She currently serves as the Placement Specialist, Fatherhood Initiative Facilitator, and Case Manager with the Edgecombe County Department of Social Services.

The Fatherhood Initiative Program seeks to develop life skills and create career opportunities for the participants. Instead of being incarcerated, participants have class time to focus on parenting, communication, and job search skills.

As new participants arrive on the first day, they hear success stories of how participants who commit to making a change and learn new job skills will be connected with employers who believe in giving people a second chance. The Fatherhood Initiative offers hope, encouragement, and support to men looking to become better citizens and better fathers.

Since the program began in August 2015, Vann and her colleagues have helped 135 participants. As of April 6, 2016, 85 individuals have found employment.

Vann began her educational journey in 1992 at Roanoke-Chowan Community College. When she enrolled, she was a stay-at-home mother with two young children. She entered school full-time and graduated in 1994 with an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education and became a lead teacher with Head Start for 10 years.

Desiring to advance in her career, Vann returned to R-CCC in 2008 and graduated in 2011 with an Associate degree in Human Services Technology. In September of 2012, Vann earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science from Bellevue University. She reached another educational milestone and earned her Master of Science degree in Human Services from Capella University in the fall of 2015.

Vann gives credit to her instructors at R-CCC who taught her the importance of understanding how people think, respecting different cultures and beliefs, and working with people right where they are.

“Roanoke-Chowan Community College is a great choice,” Vann said. “What you learn in the classroom easily transfers into the skills needed in the workplace or into the skills needed to succeed in higher education.”

This R-CCC graduate is truly changing lives through learning.

For more information about R-CCC’s educational programs or to apply for admission, call (252) 862-1200 or go to www.roanokechowan.edu.