DCT Advisors » News

West Virginia Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity receives $1 million for Green Collar College initiative

Dennis Taylor — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:50:03 +0000

DCT Advisors would like to congratulate the West Virginia Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, which secured a $1 million weatherization assistance program grant from the United States Department of Energy for its Green Collar College initiative.

The grant will allow the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity to complement its Training and Energy Services Center in southern West Virginia with two new training sites in north central West Virginia, upgrade and expand curricular offerings, and tie weatherization courses into West Virginia’s larger system of postsecondary education. This project is being undertaken in partnership with the West Virginia Community and Technical College System and Pierpont Community and Technical College.

DCT Advisors appreciated the opportunity to assist the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and wishes it and its partners well as they implement their Green Collar College initiative.

DCT Advisors hires Beth Dotson

Dennis Taylor — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:50:44 +0000

DCT Advisors LLC is pleased to announce the hiring of Cynthia Beth Dotson as Executive Assistant to Dennis Taylor. Dennis and Beth have worked together on three different occasions for three different employers. This will be their fourth collaboration.

During their first collaboration as paralegals at McQueen and Brown LLC in the early 1990s, Beth and Dennis had reputations for both being productive and laughing a lot. Expect hard work and much laughter in their latest collaboration, as well. Consistent with past practice, “Uncle” Dennis also will make Jolt soda and sugary sweets available for Beth’s otherwise non-hyperactive daughters.

Beth starts work for DCT Advisors on 12 April 2010.

Governor’s Forum on Adult Postsecondary Credential Attainment

Dennis Taylor — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:13:28 +0000

Congratulations to the West Virginia Community and Technical College System for receiving one of six National Governors Association grants for a Governor’s Forum on Postsecondary Credential Attainment by Adult Workers. The Community and Technical College System will use the event to launch a new initiative, called ON-RAMP (On Reaching Academic Momentum Points), aimed at increasing the number of adults who graduate from college with a credential, whether it be with a certificate degree, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. Improving retention and graduation rates is likely to be the System’s top priority over the next five years, and this Forum, which will educate participants about best practices and be followed by institutional planning meetings, is a great place to start if West Virginia is to do its part to help President Obama reach the goal of making America the international leader in postsecondary credential attainment again.

DCT Advisors is pleased to have the opportunity to support this initiative.

WorkForceWV receives $6 million green grant for workforce training

Dennis Taylor — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:00:30 +0000

WorkForceWV has received a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to support the State’s efforts to provide green jobs education and training. The grant will support four major activities:

Green training for current, future and unemployed workers in building, construction, retrofitting, and installation occupations;
The development of a new community and technical college GREEN-UP certificate program, the new wind energy technology program at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, and new water and wastewater treatment programs at Marshall Community and Technical College;
The development and implementation of community and technical college courses that teach basic and green technical skills in combination, as well as green entrepreneurship for those interested in starting green businesses; and
Professional development for career center, registered apprenticeship program and community and technical college faculty to assist them in incorporating green concepts and skills into classes and programs.

The West Virginia GREEN-UP Council, along with five regional teams, will coordinate grant activities.

DCT Advisors LLC is pleased to have been able to assist WorkForceWV in obtaining this grant and looks forward to working with WorkForceWV on initial project start-up and facilitation of GREEN-UP Council activities over the next several years.

Dennis Taylor elected to Covenant House board of directors

Dennis Taylor — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:00:26 +0000

Dennis Taylor has been elected to the board of directors of Covenant House of West Virginia. Covenant House is dedicated to working for justice by offering direct services for people in need while creating social change through advocacy and education. Among other things, Covenant House operates a drop-in center for the homeless, provides people with housing-related assistance, and runs a clothing closet and food pantry.

Dennis Taylor speaks to West Virginia University at Parkersburg faculty

Dennis Taylor — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:00:13 +0000

Dennis Taylor delivered remarks to West Virginia University at Parkersburg faculty earlier today at the school’s Faculty Appreciation Luncheon. His address, titled Our Changing World and the Faculty Member’s Frantic Efforts to Keep Up, focused on changes in the characteristics of students entering higher education and the needs of the modern workforce. He urged faculty to strive to better understand their students, to serve their communities, and to change the lives of students.

West Virginia Community and Technical College System wins I-PASS grant

Dennis Taylor — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:00:18 +0000

Congratulations to the West Virginia Community and Technical College System for winning a prestigious $635,000 U.S. Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) grant with assistance from DCT Advisors LLC.

Given to organizations pursuing promising higher education innovations, the FIPSE grant will support the System’s Integrated Pathways for Adult Student Success (I-PASS) initiative aimed at addressing the need to expand high-need enrollment, particularly among adults; strengthening Adult Basic Education and Developmental Education; and improving persistence and completion rates.

Major initiatives focus on educational pipeline expansion and leakage reduction, with resources being devoted to an accelerated I-BEST exploratory curriculum involving early career planning, expanded learning support center services, and counselor/ coaches as primary points of contact for adult students, as well as improved recruitment strategies.

Dennis Taylor appointed to West Virginia Library Commission

Dennis Taylor — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:00:19 +0000

Governor Joe Manchin has appointed Dennis Taylor to the West Virginia Library Commission. The Library Commission is the state coordinating agency for public libraries.

Dennis Taylor elected to RFB&D-WV Board

Dennis Taylor — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:00:56 +0000

At its meeting on Tuesday, July 7, the Board of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic – West Virginia elected Dennis Taylor as one of its newest members. RFB&D-WV makes audiobooks available to students with visual impairment, dyslexia and other disabilities.

West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education approves resolution honoring Dennis C. Taylor

Dennis Taylor — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:00:26 +0000

At its meeting on Friday, May 8, 2009, the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education approved a resolution honoring Dennis C. Taylor for his service to the Council as Vice Chancellor for Administration from 2004 to 2009. The Council recognized Mr. Taylor for his dedication to the advancement of community and technical college education and his invaluable assistance to the Chancellor, the Council and all community and technical colleges.