JSRCC's Cheri Morell

Our adventure began with an early morning meet up at the JSRCC Downtown Campus.  The JSR Lead (student leadership development team) representatives for this particular visit were: Zac Carroll, Ryan Harris, Kelly McIntosh, Angela Miller, Cheri Morrell, and Shane Roberts. 

JSRCC President Gary Rhodes, Malcolm Holmes, Steve Vehorn, and Bess Littlefield were kind enough to brief us on the protocol and events of the day while we waited for our transportation. Next up was a quick ride over to the Library of Virginia for some history of the LVA, the Capital Building, an explanation of state government and the General Assembly itself – then we were off for our perilous journey across the street to the General Assembly Building. 

While there we were fortunate to meet privately with Delegates Delores L. McQuinn, John A. Cox, John O’Bannon lll, Peter Farrell and Senators Thomas Garrett, Jr. and Henry L. Marsh. 

Shane Roberts in the automotive field of studies was a big hit with Senator Garrett and Delegate Farrell as both requested tours of the JSRCC campuses with Dr. Rhodes!

The icing on our cake was the opportunity to sit in the gallery during an actual General Assembly session where we were not only announced and asked to stand, but applauded by the House of Delegates! It really doesn’t get much better than that, folks. We then finished off our day with a lovely stroll back across the garden area and enjoyed a leisurely lunch; it was a fun-filled, educational day…J. Sargeant Reynolds style!

Cheri Morell
JSRCC LEAD

TCC's Coby Dillard

For Coby Dillard, a student at Tidewater Community College and student government president at the Norfolk Campus, wandering the halls of the General Assembly Building is comfortable. He stops Delegates and Senators walking to committee meetings to introduce himself. Since beginning his community college journey, he had the opportunity to work on political campaigns in Hampton Roads and briefly running for Congress himself. This is a dramatic change from the days he spent in the navy at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba at the peak of the Global War on Terror in 2005.

Last Wednesday, at “Everyday is Community College Day”, Coby and his classmates shared their stories with legislators. This represented the first trip to Richmond for many Tidewater students. They were able to visit their district’s representatives, advocate for community colleges and see, first-hand, how the state legislative process works. However, the importance and prevalence of the military in community college education was apparent for any legislator who met with Tidewater Community College. This is indicative of the prevalence of military students in community colleges across the country. The Department of Defense recently stated that nearly half of soldiers receiving federal military benefits for college are enrolled in community colleges.

Tidewater students met with members of the Hampton Roads General Assembly updating them on plans for a new student center, child care services that are now being offered to parents taking classes at the Norfolk campus, and the increasing military student presence. Students also urged legislators to support Governor McDonnell’s Higher Education Budget items that include more student aid. Kevin Yocum, an Army Reservist that gave his G.I. Bill benefits to his wife, told Senator Yvonne Miller “ I would not be here in community college  without financial aid.”

Senator Miller offered her support to sustaining aid for community college students, particularly military members. The Senator then gave Tidewater students some homework. She gave the students a copy of the Governor’s Budget and asked them to go back to their campus’ financial aid office and ask their officers how it will affect student aid and report back to her. The students promised to visit their financial aid office and continue to be in contact with Senator Miller’s office.

When one of Coby’s classmates asked him what Guantanamo Bay was like, he responded simply with “It was bad.” For him, community college was a bridge from service to his country in the armed forces to serving his community in a quickly developing political career. “I’d rather be here at Tidewater than over there,” said Coby. “Every day is Community College Day” continues throughout the General Assembly Session.

Posted by Stephen Parker

Stephen Parker  is a SVCC graduate who transferred to Longwood University and received his bachelor’s degree. He is currently a graduate student at W & M and on the foundation board for SVCC. 

Shawn Fenner

Shawn Fenner
John Tyler Community College

Much like my experiences at John Tyler Community College, my visit to the General Assembly of Virginia as part of the college’s student delegation was equal parts surreal, extremely positive and downright unforgettable.

While I’m not exactly shy (I’ve been told I could hold a conversation with a brick wall), this was a bit of a different animal. After all, my peers and I would be holding conversations with those persons responsible for not only making many of the laws applicable in our state, but with those in charge of making sure that each and every one of us at a Virginia Community College – students, administrators and our world-class professors — has the resources and buildings we need to make the adjustment to the rest of our professional lives.

The goal of the day was actually quite simple: tell our stories to our Delegates and Senators to give them an accurate picture of just who exactly attends Virginia’s Community Colleges in general and John Tyler Community College in particular. In the end, I was extremely impressed with the working knowledge our lawmakers had about the VCCS. Some even said they had a son or daughter who attended one of the colleges.

We each took turns sharing our stories, and much like the six Delegates we interacted with, I found myself extremely interested listening to my peers share their own personal reflections.

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Here’s my story:  After 10-plus years on the staff of a large newspaper and media organization in Richmond, I knew I was ready for a new challenge. With a blank slate in front of me, I chose to pursue a profession as a Registered Nurse. Quite a contrast to the previous decade of my life, but being a nurse would allow me to practice one of my life’s passions – helping people – every single day.

The question then became where to attend nursing school. The greater Richmond area is quite rich in its colleges and universities, so I had a tough choice to make. However, after asking several respected nurses where they attended their nursing school, one name kept popping up: John Tyler Community College. I was told about the quality and caring attitude of the instructors. Others spoke of the value of a hands-on education in a clinical setting with working professionals who care about your education.

Fast forward a couple of years to the present, and I’m about four months away from graduating. Going in, about the only thing I expected was to get a quality education and an affordable price. I experienced that…..and a whole lot more.

The diversity in all of my classes has been one of my favorite things about John Tyler. From those fresh out of high school to people like me returning to school, the mix of students truly helped me learn, as everyone had different stories and experiences to share.

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When we were in one Delegate’s office, I took a moment to look around at my fellow students. And that’s when it hit me. Our group that made the 30-minute commute to downtown Richmond was just about a perfect reflection of the students in each of the classes I’ve taken at John Tyler. Some students are fresh out of high school, some are even taking classes while in high school and some (like me) are making a career change after a successful first one.

And that, to me, is the beauty of not just the group that visited the General Assembly, but of John Tyler itself. I’ve learned something from each of the age ranges in my classes, and I am no doubt richer for having experienced that spectrum.

In the end, we all hoped we made a difference by telling our stories and sharing our great experiences at John Tyler. A bonus for the day was being able to simply put a face to the wonderful faculty, administration and students which make up the entire Virginia Community College System.

While I’m working toward graduating this May and securing a position as a Registered Nurse, I can’t help but have a sense of sadness. After graduation, everyone will go their separate ways into the working world. But I also know that we forever be a part of the John Tyler family.

John Tyler students visit Del. Joe Morrisey

For more photos from John Tyler’s visit to the General Assembly, check out the JTCC album on Facebook.

Like Virginia’s Community Colleges new page on Facebook! 

Brendan Wynn, PVCC

Brendan Wynn
Piedmont Virginia Community College

Sitting at my high school graduation, I was convinced I could never afford to go to college. I was the only person in the top 10% without a university beside my name in the program. My diploma would come with the Governor’s Seal, special commendation for an AP curriculum, and my high school’s music scholarship. 

But, I felt heavy as I walked onto the stage wearing special tassels and sashes for programs like the Governor’s School for the Arts and National Honors Society. I was all dressed up and no place to go. Without my parents, I was certain I could never make it to school alone.

Fortunately, Piedmont Virginia Community College made sure I never felt that I was going through anything alone. I contacted the Financial Aid office looking for a way to afford school. Though her small office was dealing with files for thousands of newly enrolled students, Financial Aid Director Carol Larson listened and helped with my predicament—a young student forced to leave his house at age 16, with no money for college application fees, let alone tuition.

Since then, Piedmont has offered me countless opportunities to give back. Whether working on college committees with tireless faculty, staff and administration or creating a Student Support Committee as the vice president of the college’s Student Government Association, I have found so many ways to support other students working to overcome obstacles to higher education. Thanks to the strong curriculum at Piedmont, I have even been able to join a research lab at the University of Virginia studying the educational development of kids who have difficulties making friends.

On January 19, 2012, I was honored to meet with Virginia legislators in their Richmond offices. House Minority Leader David Toscano and Delegates Steve Landes and Lee Ware graciously invited a group of Piedmont students to their offices before a busy day on the Hill. Like the faculty and staff whose jobs they make possible, these assemblymen were actively engaged in hearing our stories and the chance we were given through Piedmont Virginia Community College.

These legislators make the robust Virginia Community College System possible.  More than that, their dedication to higher education makes my story possible.

Going to the General Assembly to visit Virginia’s Senate and House members was an experience I will never forget.

My school, Blue Ridge Community College, has given me so many opportunities; this is what I wanted to convey to our legislators. However, I was a little nervous about talking with them.

I couldn’t have been more surprised at how personable our legislators are! Not only were they easy to talk to, they were compassionate- they truly listened to what each person had to say. I felt as if I was speaking with people I knew about my experience with the Virginia Community College System; this was both comforting and pleasantly surprising.

Speaking with our legislators reflects something that most people are starting to no longer associate with politicians- the sense that they truly work for their constituents. I saw this in each senate or house member that I spoke with. Upon leaving, I felt confident that our group had advocated well for VCCS and that our visit would remain in the minds of our legislators.

Both our legislator’s compassion and dedication stuck out to me and renewed me with admiration for those who work as legislative authorities in this state. As I watched the House of Delegates in action speaking the words of our Pledge of Allegiance, I could not help but feel elated with patriotic love towards my wonderful country and the state of Virginia. The General Assembly renewed my pride in being a part of this nation, this state, and more specifically, as a student of the Virginia Community College System.

BRCC group visits Del. Stephen Landes

Sen. Mark Obenshain meets Angelica Puzio.

Sen. Creigh Deeds greets students

Talking with Sen. Emmett Hanger

I attend Paul D. Camp Community College, and I plan to get my associate’s degree in education, then transfer to a four year college to get my bachelor’s degree in counseling/education.

Out of my family, I was the first child to go to college.

When I graduated from high school in 1987, I did not have the opportunity to go to college, because I had a child soon after I graduated.

Later, when my daughter got older, I decided to go back to school — I started at Paul D. Camp in 1993 with the hope of getting my early childhood certification. But I had to leave because of financial problems;  my daughter had gotten sick and needed me to care of her at home.

Paul D. Camp Community College is so close to my home that I was able to come back in 2010, and start where I left off from previously. Now, I am an education major. Without help and financial assistance from Paul D. Camp Community College, I do not think I would have been able to go to college.

Traveling to Richmond, I met with Sen. Harry B. Blevins. I also met Del. Chris Jones and Del. Lionell Spruill. These people helped me gain an understanding about the legislative process and helped influence my understanding about what they do – and hopefully we helped them understand our situations as well.

Del. Lionel Spruill visits with PDCCC group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Del. Chris Jones poses with PDCCC students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sen. Harry Blevins greets PDCCC students.

Melissa Eadie

When I first began Germanna Community College, I had been in remission for about three years since being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, which is a bone cancer.

Because of the economy and medical bills, my parents were not capable of paying my college education. However, through financial aid and Germanna’s work study program I have been able to continue my studies at this wonderful institution.

After the earthquake hit Germanna in the fall of 2011, I went in for a scheduled surgery. During this surgery they found that my cancer had returned and had wrapped itself around my ligament. The doctor advised that it would be best if they removed the leg because it was no longer useful.

After a week in the hospital classes resumed and I decided that it was time to go back to school. I was discharged from the hospital the Tuesday my first class started, and went to school on that Thursday. Germanna faculty members told me that if I needed more time to recover they would hold my classes, but I honestly did not want to fall behind — and I felt well enough to push forward.

Ann Lyons with Tutoring Services had held my work study spot for me so I was able to continue working there as well. Without the Germanna staff, I know that I would have had to drop out of school, even if I felt recovered enough.

However, they want every single one of their students to succeed in the future and they will do whatever it takes to make that happen for us.

On January 12, 2012, I had the honor of meeting the legislators who control the funding for Germanna Community College, including Del. William Howell, Speaker of the House of Delegates, and Del. Ed Scott, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

GCC students Kelly Ackert (left) and Melissa Eadie (second from right) visit with Del. Ed Scott (second from left).

In the beginning I was a little nervous because I did not want to ramble on about random things to such important people, but I then realized that they want to hear all of our stories and there was no reason to be worried. Overall, it was a great honor to meet the people who fund my education and that of so many other students.

Germanna has made my college education happen – and it has helped normality to come back into my life.

Melissa Eadie
Germanna Community College

GCC students sit down to share their stories with Del. William Howell

Virginia’s Community Colleges Every Day is a Community College Day kicked off this year with visits from Patrick Henry and Germanna Community College students. Throughout the day students had an opportunity to meet with their legislators and tell their stories.

More funding for financial aid and scholarships was one of the biggest concerns.

Meeting with Del. William Howell – who is Speaker of the House of Delegates – education student Jacqueline Bumgardner was one of the first to speak up. Motivated by her own family to attend college, Bumgardner now helps others get into Germanna.

“I’ve helped a lot of first generation college students get in, but when you come from the lower income area grants and scholarship funds are important,” she explained to Speaker Howell.

Kelly Ackert, a first generation college student herself, studies at both Northern Virginia Community College and Germanna Community College. She spoke about how being away from school awhile affected her decision to attend Germanna.

“I appreciated how welcoming and less intimidating the community college environment was,” Ackert said. “I think a four year school would have been overwhelming.”

Speaker Howell ended the visit with positive words on the Germanna nursing program and reminded the students he is only in Richmond for 60 days; the rest of the time he is in their community.

After sharing their stories with the Speaker and other legislators, the group headed to the Capitol Building where they were introduced to the House of Delegates and Senate.

Ackert and Bumgardner both agree the meeting the Speaker and visiting the Capitol was a great opportunity to get involved and tell their stories.

Posted by Katherine Coates

A recent article in the Washington Post took notice of this trend. The article cites a study issued by Sallie Mae that revealed that 22 percent of students from households earning $100,000 or more attended community colleges in the 2010-11 academic year, up from 12 percent in the previous year — which they note is the highest rate reported in the past four years.

The article highlights our very own Northern Virginia Community College, which is the second largest community college in the nation. As quoted in the Post today:

“You could pay for a whole year at NOVA for the amount you pay for room and board somewhere else,” said John Michie, 20, a second-year student at Northern Virginia Community College.

Community college is increasingly becoming more appealing to all types of students. It is no longer a last resort — it’s first choice, even for people who can afford the price of public and private institutions. There are many benefits of community college in addition to the savings.

Getting the general education requirements over and done with
All colleges require them, so why not get them done at half the cost and in a smaller classroom environment. After earning an associate degree through a Virginia community college system you are guaranteed admission into more than 24 universities.

More time to decide exactly what you want to do
Community college automatically builds in two more years for you to decide what career path college students want to follow.

Flexible class schedules
Classes are offered throughout the day, at night, on weekends and even in the summer. It allows students to work, be with their family and hang out with their friends all while earning their degree.

Those are just a few of the additional benefits to community college. What benefits make you put community college at the top of your list?

– Posted by Krystal Gillespie

All 15 colleges had Great Expectations coaches in attendance at the forum.

The youth shared stories about their coaches keeping them on the right track but in addition being there when they needed someone to talk to. The group shared tears from their past, followed by smiles for their future.  By the end of the program it was obvious that because the coaches reached out, these young adults had a support system they could count on-and more importantly a sense of family they never experienced before.

Pictured here were just a few of the students that traveled from across Virginia to be a part of this years forum.

The group will meet again this March for a fun forum filled with games and workshops for the foster youth and Great Expectations coaches. Stay tuned for more updates on our program through our website, Facebook page and blog.