When the staff at DCCC, the Community College of Davidson and Davie Counties, comes up with a way to expand opportunity to more members of our community, the wheels start rolling.
Most recently, the DCCC Enrollment Services staff came up with the idea of building an enrollment bus that could be taken to community events and locations throughout the year to engage prospective students and help them learn about opportunities at the college and jumpstart the admissions process.
On Tuesday, October 10th DCCC held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate and announce the enrollment bus!
“We’re excited about connecting with the community at events all over Davidson and Davie counties,” said Dr. Mary Rittling, president of DCCC.
The DCCC Enrollment Bus is scheduled to appear at local libraries, high schools, and a variety of community events. The college hopes the bus gives those in the community an opportunity to learn more about college programs and the benefits of higher education.
“By meeting the community where they are, the college is breaking barriers and helping to bridge the gap between the needs of the community and the resources that can help transform lives through higher education,” said Rittling.
The bus features three computer stations, a digital display screen, and meeting space for prospective students. A portion of funds helping make the DCCC Enrollment Bus a reality comes from the John M. Belk Endowment.
DCCC Partners with Trailers of the East Coast to Make Enrollment Bus a Reality
When the DCCC enrollment services staff had the idea of converting an existing campus bus into the enrollment bus, they met with the team at Trailers of the East Coast to assess the viability of this approach. The college had previously worked with the company on several custom-built mobile projects, including a mobile classroom that delivers on-site training in advanced manufacturing directly to local companies.
In April, DCCC team members Rhonda Coats, VP of Student Affairs, Laura Yarborough, VP of Finance and Administrative Services and DeeDe Pinckney, Director of Marketing and Communications met Trailers of the East Coast Service Manager Brad Byrd and Co-Owner Clint Junker and the plan started coming together.
Using Computer Assisted Design (CAD) software, the Trailers of the East Coast team developed the interior schematics, defined the work requirements and the Trailers of the East Coast custom-build and fabrication teams went to work, stripping the bus down to the frame and building out the final product to achieve the DCCC enrollment bus vision. Meetings were held periodically during the build-out to ensure that every detail was perfect as the vision came to life.
Complete with an on-board generator to supply power for lights, computer work stations, network communications, heat, air conditioning and a power awning, the enrollment bus is completely self-sufficient, able to travel and serve prospective students from just about anywhere without the need to coordinate local power or communication hook-ups. Interior furnishings include custom built couch and lounge tables with electrical outlets, task and ambient lighting, a large screen digital display panel, 3 computer work-stations, and meeting space with seating to meet with prospective students.
The Trailers of the East Coast Graphics team finished the lab off with an exciting, attention-getting graphic wrap on the outside of the bus to let the world know that The Future is Here at DCCC!
Teamwork Makes it Happen
Trailers of the East Coast in Mocksville works with customers from across the nation to create mobile hospitality centers, vending trailers, mobile manufacturing labs, mobile health screening units, mobile command centers, custom concession trailers and mobile trade shows and more.
With this world-class experience and a reputation of exceeding the expectations of their customers, Trailers of the East Coast has had the opportunity to work with The American Humane Association, Sprint, The North Carolina Lions Clubs, The Top Shelf Company, North Carolina Community Colleges, Bowman Gray Racing, and Wake Forest University, the Greensboro Police Department, Drop-Em Wear Clothing and lifestyle apparel, Davidson County Community College, and commercial enterprise like Flygt/Xylem and many more.