DSLCC Talent Search

Talent Search Awarded 5-Year Grant

Dr. John Rainone, President of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, is pleased to announce that the college’s Educational Talent Search TRIO Program has been awarded a five-year $2.2 million grant from the Department of Education that will enable them to continue the program for the next five years.  Talent Search has been on the DSLCC campus since 1980.

Educational Talent Search is funded to serve potential first-generation college students.  The goal of the program is to encourage students to graduate from high school and pursue postsecondary education.  The counselors in the program work in middle and high schools in the DSLCC service area including schools in Alleghany, Bath and Rockbridge Counties, the cities of Covington, Buena Vista, and Lexington.

Counselors provide both group and individual services in areas such as early college and career awareness, SAT/ACT test preparation, study skills, financial aid, and college application assistance.  The program also takes students on field trips to visit colleges, universities, and technical schools.  In addition, the counselors provide evening programs for parents at each high school designed to prepare them to assist their student in the areas of choosing a college and applying for financial aid. 

                Recently added to Talent Search’s services are a free online tutoring via tutor.com and a free virtual job shadowing program.

                Holly Hall serves as Talent Search Director. Counselors are Noreen Mitchell, Jennifer Bodnar, McKenna Mitchell, Trina Minter, and Karen Robertson. Heather Gibson is the office manager.  

Parents who would like more information are encouraged to visit the Talent Search office on the campus of DSLCC (now located in the Armory), call (540) 863-2874, or contact Hall at hhall@dslcc.edu. Parents may also reach out to the counseling office at their student’s school.

Judy Clark, Public Relations, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College