Wayne Community College has been named a “Military Friendly® School” for the sixth time.
Wayne Community College has been named a Military Friendly® School again.
The Military Friendly® Schools list honors the colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation. The list of Military Friendly® Schools is provided to service members and their families to help them select the best school for the education and training needed to pursue a civilian career.
The designation shows that a school exhibits leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience.
Nationwide, 1,273 colleges, universities and trade schools made the 2017 list. Wayne Community College is one of 24 North Carolina community colleges and 61 institutions of higher education in the state to receive the designation. The full list can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com and will be printed in the annual Guide to Military Friendly® Schools.
“Wayne Community College will continue to focus on our service to veterans as a top college priority,” said Dr. Thomas A. Walker Jr., the college’s president. “We consider ourselves an important component in one of the nation’s most military friendly communities.”
According to Daniel Nichols, a Navy Reserve veteran and chief product officer at Victory Media which publishes the Military Friendly® list, “Our ability to apply a clear, consistent standard to the majority of colleges gives veterans a comprehensive view of which schools are striving to provide the best opportunities and conditions for our nation’s student veterans. Military Friendly® helps military families make the best use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and other federal benefits while allowing us to further our goal of assisting them in finding success in their chosen career fields.”
The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weightings were developed by Victory Media with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all post-secondary schools that wish to participate.
More than 1,600 schools participated in the 2017 survey. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
About Victory Media Founded in 2001, Victory Media is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs®, Military Spouse, Vetrepreneur®, STEM JobsSM and Military Friendly® brands. Learn more about Victory Media at www.victorymedia.com.
About Wayne Community College Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves 14,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 70 college credit programs. Wayne Community College’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.
Disaster Recovery Centers: Operation Time Change, Locations, Available Resources
Disaster Recovery Centers in Wayne and Surrounding Counties
The following centers are open 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Bertie County (closing Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.) Bertie County Council on Aging 103 West School Street, Windsor, NC 27983
Bladen County (closed Nov. 18) Powell Melvin Agricultural Service Center 450 Smith Circle Elizabethtown, NC 28337
Brunswick County (closed Nov. 12) Emergency Services Center 3325 Old Ocean Highway Bolivia, NC 28422
Columbus County
Employment Security Commission
913 Jefferson Street
Whiteville, NC 28472
Craven County (closed Nov. 12) Old Family Dollar Store 281 NC Hwy 43 Vanceboro, NC 28586
Cumberland County Department of Social Services 1225 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301
Edgecombe County The Imperial Center (this location closed Nov. 17) 270 Gay Street Rocky Mount, NC 27802
and
Riverside Plaza
1600 W. Howard Ave.
Tarboro, NC 27886
Greene County (closed Nov. 12) Snow Hill Fire Department 201 Carolina Drive Snow Hill, NC 28580
Johnston County Johnston County Industries 912 N. Brightleaf Blvd. Smithfield, NC 27577
Lenoir County NOVA Building 105 West Caswell Street Kinston, NC 28501
Pender County (closed Nov. 18) Malpass Corner Elementary School 4992 Malpass Corner Road Burgaw, NC 28425
Pitt County (closed Nov. 22) Pitt County Agriculture Center 403 Government Circle Greenville, NC 27834
Robeson County
Old Kmart
2750 N Roberts Ave.
Lumberton, NC 28358
Sampson County (closed Nov. 18) Sampson County Human Services 360 County Complex Road, Suite 200, Room 274 Clinton, NC 28328
Washington County (closed Nov. 10) 1069 Airport Road Plymouth, NC 27962
Wayne County W.A. Foster Recreation Center (top of the hill of Mina Weil Park)
1012 S. John St., Room 110.2 Goldsboro, NC 27530
Disaster recovery centers operated by North Carolina Emergency Management and FEMA are a source of support for Hurricane Matthew survivors. However, when a center closes, you can still get the help you need with just a phone call. FEMA will be working with the state and our other partners as long as we are needed.
Here’s how you can stay in touch with FEMA – just call!
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. These toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in many languages.
When you call FEMA with questions or for updated information, you should refer to the nine-digit registration number you received when you applied for aid. This number is on all correspondence you receive from FEMA and is a key identifier in tracking assistance requests.
Call us if you change your address or phone number – even if only temporarily – and update that information with FEMA.
If you have questions about your National Flood Insurance Program claim, call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362 and choose option two.
Download the FEMA Mobile App to get important information such as severe weather conditions.
Talk with FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance team members. They are in several affected areas and are there to answer your questions and provide up-to-date information regarding your application status, and referrals to help fill any outstanding needs you may have. They wear identifiable clothing and carry photo identification.
Advantages of Visiting a Joint State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center
Release date: October 29, 2016
Release Number: NR 028
A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is a readily accessible facility where you may go for information about federal, state and other disaster assistance programs, and to ask questions related to your situation. It is more personal than the telephone.
You can meet face-to-face with representatives from North Carolina Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration, volunteer groups and other agencies at the centers to get answers to your questions about disaster assistance.
Some of the services offered at a DRC may include:
Guidance about disaster recovery and eligibility
Assistance applying
Application status updates
Clarification of any written correspondence received
Please read your FEMA letter carefully to understand FEMA’s decision and what you need to do next. Many times there is just a request to submit extra documents in order for FEMA to process your application.
You may need to include an insurance settlement letter, proof of residence, proof of ownership of the damaged property, and/or proof that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the disaster.
Housing assistance and rental resource information you may not know is available
Referrals to other agencies and state programs that may provide further assistance
Information about disaster related funeral and other needs assistance
Information about low-interest disaster loans.
All disaster recovery centers offer effective communication options, including captioned phones, iPads with video remote interpreting, assistive listening devices, magnifiers and onsite American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters upon request. Both Braille and Large Print FEMA documents are available. If you require a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille large print, etc.) while visiting a DRC, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service (VRS). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
To locate the nearest DRC, download the FEMA mobile app, visit fema.gov/DRC, or call the FEMA helpline. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (until further notice).
If you haven’t already registered with FEMA for federal disaster assistance, you’re encouraged to register before visiting a DRC if possible. If you need help with registering, you can do so at the DRC. You can register by downloading the FEMA mobile app, online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline.
Disaster Recovery Centers are Accessible to All Survivors
Release date: October 21, 2016
Release Number: NR 013
All North Carolina disaster survivors, including people with disabilities, can access resources at State/FEMA disaster recovery centers, or DRCs. DRCs help survivors apply for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates about applications. You can find the closest DRC by going online at www.fema.gov/drc. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
Resources and Services available at DRCs
All DRCs are physically accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors’ needs.
Every disaster survivor has equal access to disaster information and assistance:
All DRCs offer effective communication options, including captioned phones, iPads with video remote interpreting, assistive listening devices, magnifiers and onsite American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters upon request.
Both Braille and Large Print FEMA documents are available.
If you need an accommodation or assistance due to a disability, please notify FEMA staff at the time of registration or anytime during the assistance process.
If you require a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille large print, etc.) while visiting a DRC, call the appropriate Helpline number for support. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.
Additional Services Available
Accessible parking, ramps and restrooms are available to survivors.
If survivors cannot transport themselves to a DRC, FEMA will arrange a home visit. Call the FEMA Helpline to request assistance at 800-621-3362.
Survivors may also register for assistance in the following ways
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.
Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 or 877-511-4662 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visitNCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.
Release date: November 18, 2016
Release Number: NR 064 NC
At the request of the State of North Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a 31-day extension for Hurricane Matthew survivors to apply for federal disaster assistance.
The state has requested more time for registration because a number of counties were added for Individual Assistance several weeks after the original Oct. 10 presidential disaster declaration.
Survivors now have until Jan. 9, 2017, to register with FEMA. This new deadline also applies to homeowners, renters and businesses submitting applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Registration is open to survivors in Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chatham, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Martin, Moore, Nash, Northampton, Onslow, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Wake, Washington, Wayne and Wilson counties.
Registering with FEMA is the first step to federal disaster assistance. Register:
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
If you have questions or need information you are encouraged to visit an open Disaster Recovery Center. To locate the center nearest you, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, use the ReadyNC and FEMA mobile apps or go online to FEMA.gov/DRC or readync.org. Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation such as American Sign Language interpreting, Braille, large print, etc. while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the helpline numbers for support. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.
Disaster recovery centers are staffed with representatives from FEMA, North Carolina Emergency Management and SBA. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates about applications.
A convenient way to apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan is to visit a FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center or an SBA Business Recovery Center and meet with an SBA representative in person. SBA has staff at all DRCs and BRCs to help you with your application. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call TTY 800-877-8339.
FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare or other federal benefits.
Register even if you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but if you are underinsured you may receive help after your claim has been settled.
For more information on the North Carolina recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4285; or visit the North Carolina Emergency Management website at readync.org. Management @ncemergency.
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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA on twitter at@femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.
Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 or 877-511-4662 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailingdisastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.
Wayne Community College’s Student Government Association Officers for 2016-2017 are (l-r in photo below) Special Populations Chair Aziah Morales of Goldsboro, a criminal justice major; Secretary Kellie Woody of Goldsboro, a medical laboratory technology major; President Adam Williams of Kinston, an associate in arts-college transfer major; and Vice President Layla Brinkley of La Grange, an associate in arts-college transfer major.
The WCC Student Government Association is the official organization for conducting the affairs of its members, the curriculum students who pay activity fees. The association serves as the liaison to the college’s administration and the SGA president serves as a non-voting member of the WCC Board of Trustees.
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves 14,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 70 college credit programs.
Wayne Community College’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.
By Justin Moore, Director of Marketing & Communications, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service
A group of small business support organizations has activated the North Carolina Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program in response to Hurricane Matthew. The program will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced physical or economic damage during the storm and recovery efforts.
The Bridge Loan Program is a partnership of the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center, the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), and the NC Community College System’s Small Business Center Network. The program has raised over $3 million from funders including the Golden LEAF Foundation, N.C.’s Electric Cooperatives, BB&T, PNC and Wells Fargo.
“We have been gathering reports from eastern North Carolina about the impact the storm has had on families, businesses and farms. Restoring small businesses and family farms is crucial to our recovery from Hurricane Matthew, and the Bridge Loan Program will provide critical assistance while applicants wait for insurance payouts, SBA disaster loans, or other recovery programs,” said Rural Center President Patrick Woodie.
SBTDC Executive Director Scott Daugherty said, “North Carolina ran a similar program in response to Hurricane Floyd in 1999 which made 217 loans totaling $1.6 million to affected businesses. This quick response is exactly what small businesses need after the impact of Hurricane Matthew.”
Owners of small businesses with 1 to 100 employees located in the 52 counties affected by Hurricane Matthew can apply for loans for up to $15,000. Applications may be submitted through December 9, 2016. Loans are granted for terms of 90 or 180 days and are interest-free (0% APR) for that time period. To be eligible, a business must have been established prior to October 4, 2016, and demonstrate economic or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Matthew.
“Small Business Center staff stands ready to help businesses impacted by the storm. There has never been a more critical time for our state’s key business assistance agencies to work collaboratively toward recovery,” said SBCN Interim State Director Anne Shaw.
