Administration

Dr. Shashuna Gray
Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs

Where did you grow up, and what was it like?

This is the most difficult question to answer. My father was in the United States Air Force. He worked in missile silos. We lived in obscure off the map locations. I loved living in Great Falls, Montana. In the summer we would hike to the falls and in the winter, we spent time sledding and skiing. School was never cancelled and at times the snowfall would surpass 12 inches in one day.  I was born in Forestville, Maryland but attended high school in Montgomery, Alabama. In between Maryland and Montana, I lived in England as well.  

If you didn’t grow up here, what brought you to Virginia?

I originally moved to Virginia because of my ex-husband’s job. He worked for PriceWaterhouseCooper at the time. Employees had to reside within a 50-mile radius of central office. There was an office in Fairfax, so we moved to Stafford, VA. I have lived in VA since August 2004.   

Please tell us about your background.

I have a BS and an MS in biology. My PhD is in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University. I have worked in higher education for 26 years.  I spent 10 years at Alabama State University as the laboratory manager and laboratory instructor. I spent almost two years at Northern Virginia Community College as the laboratory manager and an adjunct biology instructor and prior to coming to Reynolds, I worked for fourteen years at Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg, VA as an instructor, department chair, and then becoming the dean of arts and sciences.   

Reynolds is fortunate to have you here with us as an Interim VP. You have been here since the summer. Please share your observations of Reynolds so far.

I have developed a philosophy which matches the excellent standards set by Reynolds Community College as a provider of quality, accessible education. The values of the institution align with my own and I am excited to come to campus (even without the presence of many students) to engage in an organization committed to providing relevant programs. 

What are the most rewarding aspects of your work?

This job varies greatly from my previous job as a dean. I rarely see students unless I pass them on a walk. I had to get use to this difference, I am an achiever. At the end of each day being able to help coach or mentor, ensure the quality of the courses and programs, and supporting my direct reports are the most rewarding aspects of my work. My strengths are ideation, achiever, learner, developer, and determination. I like that this position allows me to use my strengths to support the mission and values of Reynolds.  

If you had one extra hour a day, how would you use it?

Honestly, with one extra hour in the day, I would either sleep or sit on my front porch.  Since Covid-19, I spend more time sitting on the porch.  It is hard to do this during meetings because of the outdoor noises. 

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I read, write novels, and play Pokemon Go. I am level 40 and playing the game helps keep me active. Every Halloween, the deans at Germanna created a costume experience. This was a well-planned event. I also make Christmas ornaments.  

What do like most about Richmond even though you are coming here at a time when your opportunities to explore have been limited by covid-19?

I love the multiple dimension of Richmond. This is city rich in history and the city acknowledges its past, red lining. You could experience a more rural environment and within a few minutes experience city dwelling. The city is the home to multiple institutions of higher learning so to me that speaks volumes of the values of this area. With so many institutions, the colleges and universities also have the obligation to give back to the city a more educated citizen.  

If you won $100 Million in the Mega Millions lottery what would you do with the money?

If I won the lottery, I would set up an educational trust fund for each of my three children. I would donate to an orphanage in China, pay off the loans at my church, establish an endowed scholarship for a former colleague at Germanna, and buy my parents a house next door to me. I would still work every day. I believe we all have an obligation to support our society. I know you are probably wondering about the orphanage in China. One of my former office mates is from China and she told me once, she was leaving her estate to an orphanage. I shared with her that if I ever came into some money, I would donate on her behalf.  I might upgrade my 2012 Kia to a newer year…maybe.  

Alums

 American Girl dolls? Not just sparkle and shine with a headband and purse . . . 

Maybe you thought American Girl dolls were all about cute outfits with matching accessories. Think again. This summer American Girl dolls wanted to create a new doll to honor frontline heroes who have risked their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. They asked family, friends, or those who have been helped, to nominate a "Hero with a Heart", a frontline hero they felt best represented the caring and compassionate spirit of the times. 

"Whether you’re providing healthcare, keeping families stocked with food and supplies, or making sure cities keep running," the American Girl website said, "we owe you a huge thanks."

April O’Quinn, a Reynolds alumna and an EMT with the Richmond Ambulance Authority, was nominated by her niece, Lacey. In July, American Girl notified Lacey that her nomination was one of five winners from around the country. Her aunt April was going to be an American Doll. Lacey was sobbing when she called her aunt with the news.

“We’re thankful American Girl held a contest to recognize our frontline heroes," said RAA CEO Chip Decker, "and are thrilled to have one of our employees represent EMS.”

Employee Profile

The Writing Studio: A Year of Building

An Interview with Apryl D. Prentiss 

Assistant Professor of English & 

Writing Studio Coordinator

You have been at Reynolds a little over a year now. Please tell us where you were and what you were doing before you came here. 

I've been teaching at Reynolds full-time since 2017. Before that I was an adjunct at Reynolds and teaching full-time at Virginia State University. I absolutely loved teaching at VSU, but when a full-time opportunity to teach at Reynolds opened up, I knew I had to try to get it because I love the students here so much. There's something really special about our students. They are always on their way to another place, whether that's the workforce or another school. I find that there's a unique and powerful perspective that comes with that. It's also important that our students get a high quality education while learning how they can affect their communities. I really believe in the community college mission, so returning here for full-time work was an easy decision. I came on as the Writing Studio Coordinator in 2019 and have spent the past year working with the Studio team to develop the Studio and get it up and running. 

Please tell us what’s kept you really busy this past year.

Besides teaching, I would say my PhD work kept me incredibly busy this year. I finished up my coursework in June and am currently studying for my candidacy exams. I'm studying Cultural Studies and Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse. My research concentration is pop cultural expressions of protest, It's a great time to be studying that with all of the cultural pressure for real structural change in our society. I love it! I mostly center on what our pop culture productions say about the heart of our society and about what kind of change we're longing for. It's pretty cool that I get to research and write papers about Beyonce', Kesha, Game of Thrones, hashtags, etc. and how they are both constructed by our society and how they, in turn, construct and contribute to our collective consciousness. 

The Writing Studio. Please tell us more about it. How does it work? Where is it? 

I'm so excited that it's almost time to open after a year of preparation! We'll be offering services remotely via Zoom for Fall 2020, starting in Week 4. We're operating under a studio model, which means that students don't even need to make an appointment to get help. We're providing a virtual space for them to come in and work by themselves or with a consultant for short spans of time. It's a collaborative effort, so we're there to support and aid the students in developing the critical skills they need to contribute to the academic conversation at Reynolds. 

How is the Writing Studio a different learning model?

The Studio acts a third space for students to work in (aside from their classroom and their home). That's how it works in theory, anyway. Obviously, all of these spaces are blended right now with the pandemic. What we offer is a different type of collaboration and support. It's not directive or even corrective. We work with the students to build a self-awareness of what they, as writers, need to better express their thoughts, arguments, etc. 

The model also mirrors how we write in the real world. We write a little, run it by some colleagues, adjust and then finish writing. The focus is on recognizing how the writing process proceeds for each individual and providing support to them at a crucial stage of their process. 

How does the Studio work for students? Is it open to everyone?

Yes! Absolutely! Students and faculty can find information on how to access and prepare for their sessions on our website: http://reynolds.edu/writing-studio when we are up and running. It's a very simple process. Students simply submit an electronic form to gain access to the Studio hours and then jump right in.  

How are the Studio’s operations different now with Covid-19 than originally planned?

This has been quite a journey. Much of the processes and plans that we spent the 2019/2020 academic year creating have needed revision or to be put on hold due to Covid-19. The main difference is that we are offering primarily Studio hours and workshops as services, and that all services will be offered remotely via Zoom. I'm grateful to have such a skilled and talented team to work with in planning around and adapting to Covid-19. 

What are your goals for the Studio?

Simply put, we want to construct a space where students feel comfortable to create and compose their academic writing. We want to relax some of the restrictions of traditional tutoring and work to build students up as confident and adept writers through collaboration with our consultants. We aren't a "fix-it" service. It's more like come on in and compose and let us help you discover how you write best, why you write the way you do, and how to adapt all of the above to the assignment in front of you. Ultimately, we want students to see that they have an important voice and that their writing contributes to the important academic conversations we're having at Reynolds. We want them to find, craft, and express their unique and powerful voices! 

Student Info

You have about 4,732 weeks. 

How will you spend the next 12?

You have about 4,732 weeks on this planet.

What if the next 12 weeks could change the course of your next thousand weeks? What would you do?

If you spent the next 12 weeks with Reynolds Community College you could:

• Start your career in Automotive Technology, Programming, or Social Work
  
  
• Study the essentials of Accounting, Chemistry, or Quantitative Reasoning (Quantitative Reasoning?)
  
  
• Learn the basic principle of Public Speaking, Computer Apps, or Pharmacy Tech
  
  
• Work toward speaking Spanish or French
  
  
• Be ready for emergencies with First Aid and Safety training

These are just a few of the opportunities for you to explore. There’s a class to fit almost every interest and calling.

12 weeks go by fast. Make the next 12 count.

Reynolds 12-Week Classes begin Tuesday, September 15. 

Here’s how to explore your options:

Visit www.reynolds.edu

From the home screen select “Register for Classes”, and “Class Schedules”. Select “Fall 2020” and “Search”. It’s that simple.

For more information, call: 804-371-3000.