Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1420493
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 14 UCW OCTOBER 20-26, 2021 FTCC's library staff help students succeed with new services by LAURENCE GAVIN e original reason I returned to college at the age of 39 was to finish what I started after completing high school. However, except for finishing and getting a degree, I had no goal— only to finish. But open enrollment to college had its hurdles, and for me, the hurdle was do- ing well on the assessment test. With no one to turn to, I was somehow led in the direction of the campus library, and had it not been for the librarian who helped me at that point in my life, I would not have begun college and certainly would not have completed college. e librarian I met that day helped me get the resources I needed to do well so I could begin college credit-earning courses. at experience drew me even closer to the library environment. I discovered that I wanted to help people succeed with their edu- cation as much as I had been helped. Six years later, I changed careers from being a bulldozer operator to becoming a librarian. Now, as the Director of Library Services at Fayetteville Technical Community College, what brings me joy is when a graduating student comes into the library waving their degree and thanking the library staff for their help. Helping students succeed is what the library is all about. By continually assessing students' needs and implementing strategies based on that feedback, we can prepare the 21st century student for the globally competitive workforce. e Paul H. ompson Library recently installed additional study rooms based on student feedback, and the latest innovation is the upcoming Makerspace where students can work individually or meet in groups to collabo- rate on research projects, class assignments and homework. ere are now three library locations across Cumberland County that can support FTCC students with library services. ose loca- tions are the Paul H. ompson Library at the Fayetteville campus; the Spring Lake Campus Branch of the Cumberland County Public Library; and the John L. rockmorton Library on Fort Bragg. At each location, students have access to print books, e-books, journals, e- journals, multiple electronic databases, films, audio recordings, maps, photos and digital archive materials. A wide variety of spaces are available where students can study, conduct research, and read or meet in small and large groups to collabo- rate on projects. Laptops are also available for checkout for use within the Paul H. ompson Library reference room and at the Spring Lake Campus branch library. All students are welcome to the library to get the help they need to graduate with success. But, they don't have to come on campus to get the help they need. On-campus and distance learners have access to library staff at the Paul H. omp- son Library during business hours by calling 910-678-8247, or emailing library@faytechcc. edu. When the Library is closed, students can contact a librarian by using the online "Ask-a- Librarian ChatNow" button located at https:// www.faytechcc.edu/campus-life/library/ LAURENCE GAVIN FTCC, Director of Library Services. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. WBC hosts first annual Women of Power Brunch by HANNAH LEE A brunch for women leaders by women leaders. e Women's Business Center of Fayetteville, part of the Center for Economic Empowerment & Development, will be host- ing a networking event at the end of October that will focus on connecting women entre- preneurs with each other.e theme for the first annual Women of Power Brunch is the "State of Women in Business." Caitlin Chastain, the Business Consul- tant for the Women's Business Center of Fayetteville, says the goal of the event is to create an overall understanding of how women in the county are doing. "We want to create a dialogue of what is go- ing on with women in business, what is going on with women in leadership in Fayetteville," Chastain said. "We really want to start recognizing women entrepreneurs and women in business in our city that often get overlooked." Another one of the goals of this networking brunch is to create mentorships for younger women and for women who are new to the area, including military wives. Chastain hopes women will leave with a sense of motivation, inspiration and an understanding and awareness of how they can better themselves. By doing that, these women can then better the community. "ey can get educated on facts in our com- munity on women in leadership, get inspired by entrepreneurial stories, and can have fun networking," Chastian said. According to the U.S. Census, women- owned businesses make up little more than 41% of all businesses in Cumberland County. In Fayetteville, that number rises to at least 43%. is event also launches the partnership between An Affair to Remember and the WBC of Fayetteville to celebrate and acknowledge female leaders making a difference in the local community. e owner of An Affair to Remember is Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen and she will be speaking at the bruncheon about her Women of Power Society, a group that hosts a local local fashion show, and her entrepreneurial path to success. Jensen will be announcing the theme of her Women of Power Fashion Show for 2022.She will also be accepting nominations for next year's Women of Power class that will walk at the Affair to Remember Fashion Show. Lashanda Shaw, a local real estate agent and owner of Lashanda Shaw Realty, will also be speaking at the event. She will be focusing on her doctoral dissertation about the lack of women leaders in Cumberland County. Suzy Hrabovsky, the Executive Director of CEED and the 2021 Woman of Power Alum, will also speak. Brunch will be provided by Dorothy's Ca- tering. e event will take place on Monday, Oct. 25 and will be at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. Tickets are available at https://www.event- brite.com/e/women-of-power-brunch-tick- ets-172208800157 until Oct. 24. HANNAH LEE, Assistant Editor. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200. EVENT EDUCATION