Rappahannock Community College Students and Administrators Advocate in Richmond for Continued Investment in Community Colleges
In a powerful show of support for Virginia’s community colleges, Rappahannock Community College (RCC) President Dr. Shannon Kennedy and Dean of Student Development Dr. David Keel led a group of RCC students to the Virginia General Assembly recently to meet with legislators and discuss the future of education in the state. The students shared their personal stories with Delegates Hillary Pugh Kent and Keith Hodges, highlighting the impact of community college programs that provide students with affordable pathways to in-demand careers.
“Virginia’s community college students are our best advocates,” said Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System. “They represent working adults, parents, first-generation college students, and future transfer students, people whose success depends on continued investment in education that is affordable, accessible, and aligned with real workforce demand.”
The delegation's main message to lawmakers focused on the importance of state funding for expanded dual enrollment, and increased access to workforce training and financial assistance like FastForward and G3. Continued support for community colleges is critical for closing the skills gap and providing accessible, affordable education and training that meets the needs of today’s workforce.
RCC students who attended the event had the chance to speak directly with legislators about their experiences, sharing their aspirations and the ways RCC has supported them. Malcolm Holmes is a nursing student at RCC and is also a parent. He touted RCC’s wraparound services like CHAMPS (Career Help and Mentoring for Parenting Students) for providing a support network for other parenting students. “RCC is absolutely pivotal, and without it, so many people would not have the opportunities they have now,” said Holmes. “Young or old, you never feel abandoned and it’s reassuring to know there is help along the way.”
Aiden Hill is pursuing his Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree, and plans to transfer to a 4-year institution and become a history teacher. His first experience with RCC was a dual-enrollment U.S. Government class he took while still in high school. “Financial assistance programs motivate students to invest in themselves and continue their educational journey,” he said.
RCC graduate Trinity Puckett has a great job as a diesel technician with a national trucking company. “Because of the flexibility of online classes and the Diesel Program’s afternoon schedule, I was able to work full time, support my young child, and avoid taking on college debt,” said Puckett. “RCC offers resources like scholarships, food pantry access, and CHAMPS, to help students succeed.”
The students’ advocacy comes at a crucial time for Virginia’s community colleges, as state funding for higher education is under review. Virginia’s Community Colleges serve nearly half of all public undergraduate students in the Commonwealth (48%) and generate $11.6 billion in annual economic activity. Notably, the system has the second-highest rate in Virginia of graduates working in-state five years after graduation (78%) yet receives the lowest per-student funding among Virginia’s public higher-education institutions, underscoring both the return on investment community colleges deliver and the challenges they face in meeting growing workforce demand.
As the legislative session continues, RCC President Shannon Kennedy remains hopeful that legislators will recognize the essential role that community colleges play in both education and economic development and find ways to fund essential programs. “Our students are the future of Virginia’s workforce,” Kennedy said. “By investing in our community colleges, we are investing in the people who will power our state’s economy for years to come.”