RCC Prepares Haynesville Students for Success
The theme for this year’s class of Haynesville graduates was “Refuse to be Held Down” and that message was reinforced as family, friends, supporters, staff, educators, and dignitaries gathered in November to celebrate the graduates from Rappahannock Community College (RCC) and Haynesville. Seventeen inmates earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree and 20 received a General Studies certificate from RCC. Twenty-five achieved a GED (high school equivalency) facilitated by HCC’s instructors.
Haynesville Regional Education Administrator Christopher Clarke congratulated the graduates. “You showed out, you didn’t just show up,” he said. “You have displayed the heart and mindset to succeed. Now I challenge you to help find the Class of 2026.”
RCC President Dr. Shannon Kennedy called attention to the program and noted that in addition to academic courses, RCC offers certificate programs such as SHINE (Solar Hands-on Instructional Network of Excellence), SHINE Plus, and Customer Service. Students who complete the SHINE program undergo 32 hours of training over two consecutive weekends, receiving OSHA 10 certification and Solar Safety certification, along with the skills needed for employment in the field. SHINE Plus certifies students as installers and provides Solar Photovoltaic training focused on troubleshooting solar systems. Both programs include Customer Service certification training. This year 49 individuals completed the SHINE program and 41 graduated with SHINE Plus certifications. Many have reentered the community.
Kennedy added, “This is one of my favorite events of the year. I get to recognize the work you put in to achieve the degrees and certificates and commend you for taking these steps to learn.”
Attending classes while incarcerated poses many challenges but the graduates agree that the outcome is worth the effort. Outstanding College Student Richard Armstrong graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA and spoke to his fellow graduates, quoting John Adams, “Every problem is an opportunity in disguise. We displayed hard work and dedication through this process as a team. We experienced sacrifices, trials, and overcame obstacles. We decided, committed, acted, succeeded, and repeated the process.”
Teaching students in a correctional center also holds many challenges but the RCC professors who take on the role find it rewarding. Biology Professor Julie Little shared, “Teaching a lab science inside a correctional facility is quite the challenge but the students’ positive attitudes and eagerness for learning soften the difficulty. The most enjoyment I have had at HCC is watching a group of students dissect a sheep brain with intact meninges using only a plastic spoon. Not one student complained because they were so thankful for the experience! Inside, I smiled from shoulder to shoulder. I gave them a very difficult task, and they pulled it off with grace, curiosity, and appreciation.”
“Teaching at Haynesville is one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” said Janet Little, English professor. “Getting to see them succeed and walk at graduation is truly a privilege.”
After the certificates and degrees were conferred by RCC’s Kennedy and Haynesville Regional Education Administrator Clarke, graduates enjoyed a reception to celebrate with family and friends.
RCC has been offering a college program at HCC since 2008. The Haynesville Correctional Center Department of Education also offers Adult Basic Education and GED programs. Career and Technical Education programs offered include barbering, business software applications, electrical, and fiber optics. In 2016 the College was selected as one of 67 Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites by the U.S. Department of Education for their national pilot program, allowing Haynesville students to complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) forms and use Pell grants for tuition, fees, and books.