Interview with Ava Pippin

I have the pleasure of interviewing Ava Pippin. She was recently added as the board of directors as president. Here is what she had to say about what is going on with the board at this time. Pippin has been a family friend of mine for years. Pippin is a big part of PVCC. We are lucky to have her on the board and getting to know her has been a great pleasure.

She answered the following questions during our interview.

What direction do you see PVCC going?

“My hope would be that Piedmont Virginia Community College turns its attention to the career and technical educational programs, either expanding what there are in place or developing new certificate programs. In doing this, I believe that Piedmont would better serve the communities my fellow board members and I represent.”

What does it feel like being a member of the board of directors at PVCC?

“I had the pleasure of knowing and working with a number of my predecessors and also becoming well acquainted with Piedmont Virginia Community College administration and staff and a legislative aid to the Delegate Vivian Earl Dickinson for whom the Piedmont Virginia Community College theater is named.”

“While teaching in the Louisa County Public Schools, I was the site coordinator for Piedmont Virginia Community College classes as well being a part-time instructor.  Finally, I have been a student at Piedmont Virginia Community College for the renewing of my teaching certificate and also just for fun when I retired from teaching. Piedmont Virginia Community College has been a part of my professional and personal life, and I was honored to have been appointed to the Board of Supervisors.”

How do budget cuts affect PVCC?

“The budget cuts are continuous but not unusual….What is important for Piedmont Virginia Community College is to give each and every student a quality education at an affordable price. All community colleges remain inexpensive and give the average student a great education at a low cost. Piedmont, like our fellow community colleges, will need to be creative but reasonable and sensible looking at the locations in deciding where and what cuts can be made without losing credibility or sight of our own goals of providing quality and affordable educational opportunities for a diverse student population.”