Adult Education & Literacy Advisory Committee
The Adult Education and Literacy Advisory Committee was established in 2001 to make recommendations for the delivery of quality adult education and literacy programs and services throughout the commonwealth. The committee meets twice a year and reports periodically to the State Board of Education. The committee is comprised of members representing colleges and universities, businesses, the Virginia House of Delegates, and the Virginia Senate. The director of the Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education also serves on the committee as an ex officio member.
Committee Meetings
| Date | Agenda & Virtual Meeting Information | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| March 11, 2021 | Agenda-This is a Word document. The meeting will be livestreamed on the |
Pending |
| October 14, 2021 | Pending | Pending |
VDOE YouTube Channel
| Date | Agenda & Virtual Meeting Information | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| March 12, 2020 | Agenda-This is a Word document. | Minutes-This is a Word document. |
| October 8, 2020 | Pending |
Previous Meetings
For information from previous meetings, go to 2011-2019 committee meeting schedule, agendas and minutes
Contact
Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
Heidi Silver-Pacuilla, Ph.D., Adult Education Coordinator
Phone: 804-786-3347
Fax: 804-530-4517
Committee Members
The advisory committee consists of members who volunteer their time, talents and knowledge to help strengthen adult education and literacy programs. Members are appointed by the Virginia Board of Education to serve up to two consecutive three-year terms of service.
Bruce Sobczak, Chair
- First Term: July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2018
- Second Term July 1, 2018 – June 20, 2021
- SOBO Associates, LLC, Principal Consultant
- 12612 Erika Hill Place, Midlothian, VA 23112
Bruce Sobczak is a transformational leader/manager experienced in engineering, production, quality, and workforce training operations. Educated early on in trade schools, he started his career as a third generation Tool and Die Maker. With a tenacious interest in technical knowledge, a strong work ethic, and long list of successful projects and accomplishments, Mr. Sobczak quickly advanced to manager level positions within a world-class organization without the benefit of a college degree. A believer in lifelong learning, he continued his education as a working adult earning two degrees from Chapman University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership with honors in 2004, and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership in 2008. Notable positions Mr. Sobczak held include: Principal Consultant SOBO Associates, LLC, Director of Workforce Development for the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, Director of Economic and Workforce Development for the South Orange County Community College District, Director of Manufacturing Engineering for a worldwide manufacturer, Adjunct Professor, and Private Consultant.
Mr. Sobczak is Chairman of the Virginia Board of Education’s Advisory Committee on Adult Education and Literacy. He is also a member of the Crater Regional Workforce Investment Group, Workforce Development Board of Directors where he also serves as Chairman of the Business Services Committee; member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Career Education Foundation; member of the Precision Machining Program Advisory Committee at John Tyler Community College; member of the Southside Virginia Community College Machining Program Advisory Committee; and member of the Chapman University Alumni Association.
Dr. Rodney L. Berry
- First Term: July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2022
- Superintendent of Education, Virginia Department of Corrections
- 6900 Atmore Drive, Richmond, VA 23261
Dr. Berry is a 25-year veteran of Virginia education, and he is currently the Superintendent of Education for the Virginia Department of Corrections. Prior to his service within the VDOC, he was the Superintendent for Nottoway County Public Schools. During his first year in Nottoway he worked with a team of dedicated educators to lead 5 of 6 schools to Full Accreditation. Before his arrival in Nottoway, only 3 of 6 schools were Fully Accredited. Before his stint in Nottoway County he worked as the Director of Instruction in the Sussex County Public School division. As the Director of Instruction, the team successfully led two of three schools to Full Accreditation within one school year. Before his arrival to Sussex, none of the division’s schools were Fully Accredited. All schools are now Fully Accredited.
During his tenure at Hopewell High School in Hopewell, VA, his staff worked strategically to improve the school's End of Course Standards of Learning scores. Their work paid off. The school moved from being considered a priority school and Accredited with Warning, to moving dramatically up the state rankings and becoming Fully Accredited within two school years. The number of students participating in advanced courses also increased dramatically during his tenure, and the school reached federal AMO’s in all four core areas. Prior to his service in Hopewell, he was principal at Franklin High School. In two years in this post, the school's drop-out rate decreased, and the graduation rate increased to a historical high. Additionally, he served as principal of King Middle School in Franklin, Va. During that year, grade level Standards of Learning scores increased in every subject. Dr. Berry began his career in 1995 as a Chemistry and Biology teacher in the Richmond Public School's system. When he moved into administrative leadership, he served first as an assistant principal at Caroline County High School, and then as an assistant principal of Deep Run High School in Henrico. During his tenure at Deep Run, the school twice earned the distinction of being named one of America's Best High Schools by U.S. News and World Report.
Tammy Dean
- First Term: July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021
- Director, Practical Nursing Program, Prince William County Public Schools
- 8909 Euclid Avenue, Manassas, VA 20111
Tammy Dean has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She has served as the program director for Prince William County Public Schools’ Practical Nursing program since 2010. Prior to taking on the directorship, she served as an instructor within the program for nine years.
Ms. Dean brings a wealth of knowledge through her diverse background within the nursing career field. Throughout her nursing career, she has worked as a staff nurse in a multitude of clinical areas, including administrative nurse, nursing executive, school nurse, United States Air Force nurse, nursing instructor, and director of a nursing program.
As an innovative educator and director, Ms. Dean has written grants through local organizations to bring a state of the art simulation lab to her school’s nursing program. She also assisted in the inception of Project Lead the Way Biomedical Engineering at her school. Her leadership includes establishing partnerships within the community, developing curricula, writing grants, mentoring, and supervising nursing students and instructors. She has been a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing since 2010.
Rebecca Hughes
- First Term: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023
- Global Marketing Lead, SAP
- 1399 New York Avenue, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20005
Rebecca M. Hughes holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Loyola University in Baltimore, and is based in Alexandria, VA. She currently works in Global Marketing at SAP, the world’s third largest software company, and largest enterprise software company, where she has two decades experience in customer engagement and delivering training and enablement in a corporate setting.
Prior to SAP, Rebecca supported the U.S. Department of Defense as a contracts specialist, and co-developed procurement software applications for Federal agencies. She currently serves on the Boards of the SkillSource Group, Inc., a non-profit arm of the Virginia Career Works – Northern Region; as well as the newly-incorporated 55+ Incubator, with a mission to assist mature talent in Northern Virginia to become entrepreneurs; and the Friends of the Beatley Central Library, an advocacy and fundraising non-profit helping the library serve the needs of the local community, including early childhood literacy, youth, teen, and adult programs.
Paulette Johnson
- Second Term: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023
- Assistant Director, Optimal Health Enterprise
- 14 Hopkins Branch Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22406
Roxana Mejia
- First Term: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023
- Director of Political Affairs, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 51
- 4700 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706
Roxana Mejia is the Political Affairs Director of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), District Council 51, which covers the jurisdictions of Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia. Since moving from El Salvador in 1985, she has resided in the Commonwealth of Virginia, currently in Burke, VA. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park in Behavioral Science, Government & Politics. During her 16 years with the IUPAT, Roxy has coordinated campaigns on behalf of her union for all levels of legislative office including local, state, and federal. She works with staff and volunteers within the labor community to consistently engage in community service, political, and legislative efforts. She is fluent in Spanish and moderately fluent in French. As Political Affairs Director, she advocates for both members and contractors in the finishing trades industry with the goal of creating more quality, family-sustaining jobs for all workers. She currently is a board member of the Northern Virginia Workforce Development Board and its youth sub-committee. She is a board member of the Prince George’s School Board MBE/LBE advisory committee. She held board positions as a labor board member of the DC11th congressional committee in Virginia and the Braddock District Land Use and Environment Committee. In addition, she has been a volunteer with her HOA’s neighborhood watch program
Allan L. Melton
- First Term: July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021
- Manager of Product Training, The Apprentice School, Huntington Ingalls Industries
- 4101 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia 23607
Allan L. Melton graduated from the Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding in 1984 as an Outside Machinist and served as a Craft Instructor in Submarine Overhaul and New Construction for nine years. He has also served as an Academic Instructor and Trades Training Administrator. Since 2000, he has served as a Manager of Product Training of the Facility Trades for The Apprentice School. In addition, he holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Resource Development and an Educational Specialist degree in Higher Education Administration from the George Washington University.
Mr. Melton recently served six years with the Virginia Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee and six years on the Poquoson School Board. He also served on the New Horizons Regional Education Center’s Career and Technical Education committee and served as the chairman for a year. In his spare time, he teaches saxophone at the Liberty Academy of the Arts, and actively plays with several local bands in the Tidewater area.
Dr. Sharon S. Mullen
- Second Term: July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2022
- Principal, Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center
- P.O. Box 1500, Fishersville, VA 22939
Dr. Mullen is currently employed by the Commonwealth of Virginia as the Principal of the Vocational Training Services Division of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, Virginia. She has also served as the Education Director for State Operated Programs representing Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center.
Sharon S. Mullen has a Doctoral degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University, a Master of Arts in Education with emphasis in curriculum and instructional technology from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Arts from Southeast Missouri State University, with a concentration in Business Administration. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in early adolescence to young adulthood, and career and technical education. Dr. Mullen has served as a member of the Advisory Council for the Governor’s Career Readiness Certificate from 2011-2012, and a member of the National Career Pathways Network since 2013.
Ellen M. Osborne
- Second Term: July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021
- Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle
- 233 4th St. NW, Suite L, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Ellen Osborne has served as the Executive Director of the Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle since 2011. She previously worked as an executive for several nonprofit organizations, including Soulforce, Inc. In addition to having over twenty years of nonprofit experience, Ms. Osborne holds a Master of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from East Carolina University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in nonprofit studies from the University of Richmond.
Ms. Osborne was the recipient of the 2015 Nancy Jiranek Award, which recognizes an executive director of a community-based literacy organization who exemplifies the best in nonprofit management in the state, and through excellent programming, makes a positive impact on the community.
Duncan Quicke
- First Term: July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2022
- Coordinator, SVCC Truck Driver Training School
- 1041 West 10th Street, Blackstone, VA 23824
Duncan Quicke serves as the Coordinator of the Truck Driver Training School (TDTS) at Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC). His love for trucking started at an early age due to his exposure to the family business, which was started by his grandfather in 1955. His father, the president of the company, patiently mentored Duncan through the ranks of loader/unloader, driver, shop foreman, administrative assistant, vice-president, and ultimately president. After 40 years of operations, the family elected to get out of the trucking business, and fortunately, for Duncan, SVCC selected him to establish the TDTS.
After 23 years of successful operations, the TDTS has enrolled approximately 2,900 drivers. The school has increased the pool of qualified drivers in Southside Virginia, and has helped individuals prosper by entering a profession that can create a better lifestyle for their families.
Anna Rice-Wright
- Second Term: July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2022
- State Trade Act Program Manager, Virginia Employment Commission
- P.O. Box 1358, Richmond, VA 23218-1358
Anna Rice-Wright currently serves as the State Trade Act Program Manager with the Virginia Employment Commission. In this role, she applies her business knowledge and expertise in strategic planning, policy analysis and program development to create win-win situations; resulting in assisting trade affected workers rebuild their lives and helping employers access qualified candidates who have been recently re-trained to meet today’s business requirements.
Ms. Rice-Wright has served on the Hanover County Community Service Board for ten years. She also holds volunteer positions on teen substance abuse prevention coalitions in different counties in Virginia.
Ms. Rice-Wright holds a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Criminal Justice and Political Science from East Tennessee State University. She obtained a certificate from the Commonwealth Management Institute, The Performance Management Group within the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.
John Spain
- Second Term: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023
- Project Architect/Project Manager, Glave & Holmes Architecture
- 2101 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23225
John Spain is a project manager/project architect in the Urban Architecture Studio at Glavé & Holmes Architecture as well as being an Associate of the firm. John earned a Bachelor’s degree from New York University and a Master’s Degree in architecture from North Carolina State University. Prior to becoming an architect, John worked in residential construction for several years, learning carpentry and wood finishing skills on the job.
John currently serves as the President of the King and Queen County Historical Society, and has been lunch and learn program coordinator for the Richmond Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute. Along with his neighborhood’s civic association, John has been engaged with an effort to re-balance traffic priorities on a historic, neighborhood main street in Richmond.