The Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC) at Averett University recently hired Dr. Billy Wooten as its new executive director.
The CCECC is the regional hub for linking students, faculty and staff from Averett, Danville Community College (DCC) and Piedmont Community College (PCC) with community partners to create distinct learning experiences and career opportunities, and to strengthen the social and economic vitality of the region. In its first four years, the CCECC has built a regional framework to advance community engagement, experiential learning and career development in the Dan River Region, and Wooten has bold visions for its future.
“When I learned from a colleague about Averett’s CCECC and its vital role in Danville’s revitalization, I knew my collective experiences could be useful and that I could join a team with a purpose and mission to help create social change and bring elements of social justice to our local communities,” he said. “My passion is to serve my community, my students and my colleagues.”
Wooten is a northeast Georgia native with a professional background in journalism and public relations. He most recently served 16 years at Berea College in Berea, Ky., as a professor of communications and broadcast journalism, division chair of the Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts, director of speech and debate as well as an avid practitioner of service learning and internship and career development. He also served on Berea’s City Council, was president of the New Opportunity School for Women’s Board of Directors, and directed Berea College’s WBER News and Radio stations.
“We are delighted to have Dr. Wooten join our team and lead the CCECC into its fifth year,” said Averett University President Dr. Tiffany M. Franks. “He brings such a wealth of experience that will help guide the direction and next steps of the CCECC, which has been central to our growth and the enhanced student experience here at Averett and at our partnering community colleges. I’m excited to see the impact it will continue to make on the region.”
The CCECC was established in 2014 on Averett’s campus after the University received a grant from the Danville Regional Foundation (DRF). The five-year grant designated Averett as the fiscal agent to work alongside DCC and PCC to focus on service-learning, community engagement and career competitiveness within the City of Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell County, N.C.
“DRF believes that cultivating a new generation of leaders begins when they are students,” said Karl Stauber, president & CEO of DRF. “The CCECC provides opportunities for students to find places to lead and to serve while learning about our community – building their confidence, their desire for change and their resumes. We look forward to seeing how Dr. Wooten will grow this program in the years to come.”
“Averett and Danville have embraced me, my husband and our two fur babies with open arms, and I already feel at home here,” Wooten said. “I cannot wait to visit our community partners and learn where I can serve and help the CCECC continue to develop deep-impact partnerships that will help the region thrive.”
