In print and online, over the airwaves and in the social marketing realms of facebook and twitter, graduation stories abound. Uplifting stories of personal triumph go hand in hand with pomp and circumstance.
And this year, more than ever, community colleges appear to be getting their share.
Older students go back to school and succeed beyond bounds, like [...]

Blue Ridge Community College students who participate in the SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise)team – some of whom were in Haiti when a massive earthquake struck in January 2010 — are on their way to more regional and national awards.
BRCC’s team returned from Charlotte, NC recently as the regional champions, and will move on to [...]

Virginia Community College students wrapped up their visits to the General Assembly after eight weeks of “Every Day is Community College Day” sessions despite snow storms and budget debates.
Overwhelmingly, students who traveled to Richmond said it was an opportunity, and an honor.  Katherine Wallace, a sophomore at Southwest Virginia Community College, echoed others’ sentiments when [...]

I am Julio C. Reyes, a graduate from Bassett High School. I decided to attend Patrick Henry Community College for two reasons. First was because it was much cheaper, and I will obtain the same two year education as if I were to have attended a four year university. Secondly, I was not ready to [...]

In February I traveled to Richmond to meet the state delegates and senators who are so closely involved with local students’ educational futures. I listened intently to our college president, Dr. Sandel, explain how these lawmakers were “friends of the college” and had a vested interest in community college students.
On the cramped elevator ride downstairs [...]

My name is Catherine Shepherd and I’m a respiratory care student at Mountain Empire Community College. I have three grown children and  five grandchildren. I expect to graduate with an associate of applied science degree in respiratory therapy in December 2010. When I graduate, I will be 60 years old. 
I am proof that it is never too [...]

My name is Sharonette Edwards and I am in the licensed practicing nurse(LPN) program at Wytheville Community College and hope to bridge over into the registered nurse (RN) program. I have been married for twenty-four years. My husband and I adopted our nine year-old son from Ukraine when he was fourteen months old. We were both working [...]

Two students were the lucky winners of new Virginia Education Wizard Scholarships, valued at $3,000 each, and they received them from a delegation of community college officials and legislators at the 2010 legislative reception.
Greg Foley, from Germanna, is retired from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue service after being injured as a first responder to [...]

My name is Michael Dunson and I am a student at Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) enrolled in the general studies program with hopes of eventually majoring in mathematics. While at SVCC I have been an active student,  a math tutor, student representative and have been involved in the student activities work study program.
On February 9 [...]

“The secret of success is for man to be ready for opportunity when it comes.”
                                                                                                               Benjamin Disraeli
My name is Raymond Shashaty and I am a business administration major in the transfer program at John Tyler Community College.
The Disraeli quote was my opening line every time I entered a delegate or senator’s office. Dels. Cox and Ware, [...]