Friday night at midnight, it was all over. And barely anything was resolved.

(Photo by Thomas Wheatley)

Diane Belcher is one of many New River Community College  students who will graduate this May and transfer to Virginia Tech.

Except Diane built a house, married, raised a family and served 10 years on the Floyd County Board of Supervisors before she finally got her chance to go back to school.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do. I can’t tell you what it’s meant to me,” she says of her experience at New River, where she will earn a human services degree that allows her to achieve her dream of helping others.

Without New River, she’d still be wishing she had received a college degree. Without New River’s internship program, she wouldn’t be working at Virginia Tech in the intergenerational lab that combines elder care with child care in a mutually beneficial relationship.

Diane started college at a business college in the 1980s after high school, but left to concentrate on her job helping run a bed-and-breakfast. Now, she brings so much more experience with her when she sits in a class.  “I’m here because I want to be,” she says.  “I soak it all in.”

Her 4.0 grade-point-average sets an example for her children in 7th and 8th grade — and they will be there to see Mom get her diploma.  “It’s hard to ask your kids to get good grades if you don’t do it yourself,” she says.

At 42, she’s amazed at the diversity of students community colleges serve.  In Richmond this week visiting the General Assembly, she tells legislators she sits in class with ”students 20 years older than me — and students 20 years younger than me.”

She gestures to her fellow students as examples of the latter. Also visiting with New River’s delegation are two homeschooled students attending college for the first time — and loving it — and a recent high school graduate who could have picked a prestigious four year school, but didn’t want to be “just a number.”

Visiting from Germanna Community College is a naturalized citizen from Haiti studying to be a male nurse. “Without community college, I could not be a success,” says Robinson Exume. 

Diane Belcher enjoys her position as an older adviser and motivator for the younger students. There’s a place for all of us, she says. To change the world, she says, “it takes us all.”

Posted by Susan Hayden

Gigi Dosamantes is a trailblazer. The first in her family to graduate from high school and pursue a college education, she understands the impact her decisions will have on future generations. Moving to the United States from Mexico at age 2, Gigi has grown up in an environment where higher education was not well understood.

“When I graduated from high school my dad said to me ‘I have done my job. You have done better than me’. But I knew that I wanted to do more than graduate high school. I had a 3.7 GPA and teachers at school pushed me to do more with my education.”

So, Gigi entered a four year university, like many of her friends from high school, but soon felt the financial burden. She returned home and enrolled at Paul D. Camp Community College where she is pursuing an associate’s degree in business administration.

“It’s funny because my parents didn’t really understand why I would go to college and my friends didn’t really understand why I transferred to a community college. There is a lot that is not known about community colleges and that’s what I want to do – educate people about the opportunities.”

Raising awareness about opportunities at community colleges has brought Gigi to the General Assembly with a student delegation from PDCCC. She hopes that her delegates and senators will continue to fund programs such as the transfer grant, which she will use to enroll at Christopher Newport University next year.

Back in her community, Gigi wants to promote awareness of community college education at high schools by being a student ambassador and sharing her experiences and success.  And at home, she involves her parents in her academic life, taking her dad to open houses and introducing him to teachers. 

“I show him that as much as I care about my studies, my school cares about me.”

Already exceeding her parents’ expectations, Gigi continues to blaze a trail for future generations in her family. She hopes to one day be an educator herself and encourages others to find success on the road less traveled.

Posted by Lauren Von Herbulis

Deborah Barnes loves Tidewater Community College.  So much, in fact, that she intends to run for student government president in their May election. Her first action as president will be to implement a “Love Rally” which will inform and raise awareness about multicultural differences on the TCC Norfolk Campus.

“I attended the National Black Student Leadership Development Conference in Washington D.C. and was empowered to step up and make a difference in my school. I want to start a Love Rally because I think it’s important that everybody appreciates diversity,” says Deborah.

Visiting the General Assembly with the student delegation from TCC’s Norfolk campus, Deborah is stepping up to her role as a student leader, advocating for continued funding for community colleges.

Deborah says that the resources available to her at TCC, such as financial aid, computer labs, tutoring, online help, professor’s office hours and counseling at the Women’s Center, have made the difference in her education. Additionally, the encouragement she received from faculty and staff has pushed her to continue her studies even when the balance between raising a family, work and school became difficult.

“The staff is very talkative and they want to get to know you. The more you talk to one another, the more you learn. I know that I can make an appointment with any of the deans and they will take time to speak to me.  That is one of this school’s best qualities.”

Meeting with Senator Yvonne Miller in the morning, Deborah shares her love for TCC.  Applauding Deborah’s commitment to education and her plans for continuing her education at Norfolk State University, Sen. Miller sees a need for strong female leaders in the world.

“We stand on the shoulders of those before us. I was the first female Senate committee chair and now there are seven women serving as committee chairs in the Senate. One of my platforms is to encourage women to take a leadership role in their community.”

Deborah Barnes is taking Senator Miller’s message to heart and plans to share her love of community college with others.

“TCC’s Norfolk campus is like a family – I just love it.”

Posted by Lauren Von Herbulis

Jared Marsh describes himself as a “happy-go-lucky guy.” The Eastern Shore Community College student started his morning at the General Assembly with a positive attitude and an eagerness to get started.

Sitting down with Senator Ralph Northam, Jared doesn’t waste time diving into the issues weighing heavily on his mind. He asks for funding to update ESCC’s building and to start a music program, which he feels can help enhance a student’s education. He also hopes to find funding for student activities. Active in his community, he serves as the youth minister at his local church, works as a lifeguard at the YMCA, plays bass guitar and is trying to establish a youth center.

“I feel that it is important to be able to hang out with other students. We come from high schools where there is so much school spirit and it would be nice to be able to add that social element to community colleges.”

Jared has another issue in mind when speaking with the Senator – healthcare. 

Jared has Type I diabetes, the most severe type, and is carrying his health kit with blood sugar level monitor and insulin with him at the General Assembly.  He knows the financial burden of those with this disease and applauds the Senators’ work with the Eastern Virginia Medical School, where Jared is treated.

“People ask me all the time how I can be so happy with such a consuming illness. But I figure it’s easier to be happy then to dwell on the negative. I figure everything happens for a reason.”

After graduating high school, Jared hoped to enter the military but was unable due to diabetes. Keeping a positive attitude, he decided to pursue a post-secondary education in community college. Elated with his decision, ESCC provided him with an affordable and flexible option for a student with health needs and a full work load.

Jared plans to pass on his love of education and will transfer to a four year institution this coming fall to become a teacher. Eventually he hopes to get a master’s and/or doctorate degree.

“I will go as far as I can. There are so many opportunities out there if you have an education.”

That’s the spirit, Jared!

 Posted by Lauren Von Herbulis

At John Tyler Community College, everybody knows your name. “You are not a number,” says Heather Rice, who says faculty members call her by name even in larger classes. “I feel so welcome here.” 

Heather joined classmate Justina Kim and about a dozen others for a visit to the General Assembly today to share their community college experience with legislators.

“I wasn’t the best student in high school,” says Heather, who graduated in 2006. “I needed a fresh start.” Now with an associate’s degree within reach, she’s ready to transfer to VCU to complete a teacher education program and teach elementary school.

Caring faculty has also made the difference for Justina Kim, who at 22, found at Tyler the supportive environment she needed to succeed.  Kim started college at University of Hawaii when she was 17, “but I found the transition to college life very hard.”

With her parents in the armed forces (her mother is currently deployed in Iraq), she found herself starting again at John Tyler, getting to know the faculty, and took a professor’s advice about majoring in business and accounting. “I love John Tyler,” she says. “The faculty relationships have made a great difference for me.”  An excellent student, Justina is president of the college’s PTK honor society. She has a college transcript that will get her in anywhere — but needed the confidence and maturity to back it up.

They are just two of the students seeking to use Virginia’s Community Colleges as a stepping stone to a baccalaureate degree.  John Tyler’s group was full of potential transfer students — from nontraditional students going back to school after several years to homeschooled students who find the community college atmosphere a better transition into higher education.

Transfer was also today’s theme at the community college display on the ground floor of the General Assembly Building. With guaranteed admissions agreements with more than two dozen public and private colleges and universities, opportunities abound. 

Karla Boughey, legislative aide for Sen. Walter Stosch, reminded John Tyler students that it was Sen. Stosch who proposed the transfer grant legislation that provides for scholarships moving on to the four-year colleges and universities in the Commonwealth.  Sen. Watkins shared his own transfer success story about a nephew, now at Virginia Tech, who turned a lack of achievement in high school around and excelled at a Virginia Community College.

Justina’s achievements are being noticed by four-year institutions. “I never thought I would be getting a letter from Cornell inviting me to apply,” she says, although she’s also considering George Washington, Georgetown, and the University of Virginia.

“John Tyler has certainly opened doors for me.”

Pictured:  Heather Rice, top; Justina Kim, bottom

Posted by Susan Hayden

Will Fagg is undoubtedly a leader, but a modest one. He blushes at the compliments awarded to him by his teachers, colleagues and fellow students who describe him as “a dedicated student who seeks to learn more, is genuinely interested and takes time to interact with fellow students and create a positive environment.”

Will joins the student delegation from Northern Virginia Community College’s Medical Education Campus at the General Assembly. The “MedEd” campus was specifically created to teach and develop nursing and allied health professionals.

A former corpsman in the Navy, Will has joined the ranks of nursing students and aspires to one day be a teacher in the community college system. 

“The military is a gateway to the medical field for men. Many of the male nurses I have spoken with have gotten their start in the military. When I was 19 though, I didn’t really look for ways to be involved. Now I feel that I can make a difference.”

In conversations with delegates and senators, Will leads his group, demonstrating the need for continued funding as a specialized medical education campus within the community college system.  But Will also has another goal:  to seek funding to help nursing students obtain master’s degrees.

Making a difference is what has brought Will and the NVCC “MedEd” delegation to the General Assembly. With a solid strategy for tackling the pressing issues, they discuss the constant need for nurses in Virginia and the impact of cutting funding on the healthcare system and quality of life for all Virginians.

According to the Chancellor’s Task Force on Nursing Education, “The State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV)has estimated that by 2020, the state’s demand for registered nurses will outpace the supply by approximately 22,600 full-time RNs.  This will cause a significant crisis for Virginia, as medical facilities will be unable to meet the need for providing quality care.”

“If we don’t get funding to train nurses, update our equipment and receive adequate space we are going to be in a world of hurt. And so are the patients who need us,” says one NVCC faculty member.

Despite the urgency of their message, Will is optimistic about his time spent in General Assembly. Hoping others will follow in his footsteps, he encourages more people to get involved.

“Every little bit helps.”

Posted by Lauren Von Herbulis

“If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” says Anne Lynch, a veterinary technician student at Blue Ridge Community College.

After a recent move with her family from New York to Fishersville, Virginia, Anne decided it was time to change careers and pursue her true interests. Formerly a database developer, Anne wanted to follow her childhood dream of working with animals. BRCC provided the unique and challenging courses that pushed her to attain her dream job.

“There aren’t too many cows in New York, I guess” jokes Delegate Chris Saxman when Anne visited today. “But I think it’s thrilling that community colleges give people a chance to go back and do what they really want to do.”

Anne joined the BRCC delegation at the General Assembly as part of her last semester of coursework. She has just completed her National Boards, a required examination for completion of the program, and won’t find out the results until March.

“I am positive Anne will pass the Boards. She is a bright student and we have a 100% pass rate at Blue Ridge,” said Dr. Perkins, president of BRCC, who chaperoned the student’s visit to the General Assembly.

Her  favorite courses are hands-on clinicals and an externship with a local veterinarian who specializes in avian and exotic animals. Among her new furry friends are ferrets, rescued lab rats and chinchillas. The location of Blue Ridge Community College in the Valley has also given Anne a chance to work with farm animals. 

Anne describes the veterinary technician program as “very intense” but says she appreciates the courses and the experience to do hands-on work with animals. Her hard work will soon pay off. After graduation, she will continue to work with the local veterinary clinic. How does Anne feel about working toward her dream job?

“I’m loving every minute of it.”

Posted by Lauren Von Herbulis

Andrea Thaxton speaks passionately about her experience at Southside Virginia Community College.  Those who hear her are immediately enthralled with her dedication to promoting the benefits of a community college education. And Andrea is no stranger to speaking on the matter.

As a graduate of the Middle College program and a current SsVCC student, she has become a motivational speaker to other Middle College students in training preparation courses. She motivates other students to follow her lead and create a better life for themselves, their families and their community.

“I tell them my story. I tell them that everyone has obstacles to face in their lives, but community college can be their second chance for success.” 

Without completing her high school education, Andrea knew that her opportunities would be limited. Encouraged by her husband and her mentor, Deloris Suitt, she approached the faculty and staff at Middle College.

Offered at five colleges, Middle College allows individuals lacking a high school degree to pursue a GED, community college education and a workforce certification in a college environment.

“You have to want to make a change in your life. But once you make the decision, everyone at the community college will help you. They want you to succeed. They have changed my whole outlook on life.”

In addition to speaking to students, Andrea is working toward her associate’s degree in business management, interning for the Virginia Tech-Halifax Initiative and planning to pursue a four-year degree through the transfer program. The opportunities provided to her through SsVCC have inspired her to visit the General Assembly. 

Speaking to Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. in front of a conference room of Halifax business leaders, Andrea doesn’t hesitate to express her appreciation for the Senator’s support and to urge for continued funding for Middle College so that others may experience the same chances offered to her. 

The audience in the room is obviously impressed.

“I was a little nervous, but it feels good to get your point across. I just want everyone to know how community college has changed my life. Middle College is the most amazing program.”

A motivated and passionate student and mentor, Andrea Thaxton is already a great success!

Pictured: Andrea Thaxton was among Southside Virginia Community College students visiting the General Assembly on Wednesday.

Posted by Lauren Von Herbulis

When Southwest Virginia Community College entered the General Assembly, it felt like a family reunion was taking place. Legislators didn’t just shake hands, they gave hugs. In the hallways, former students and old friends stopped to say hello. Del. Phillips reminisced about his days leading the Student Government and planning spring dances.

Like all good family reunions, the students were welcomed warmly and stories were shared. Sitting quietly in front of Del. Phillips, Brandon Pennington, president of the Student Government, waited for his turn to tell his story. Accepted to James Madison University after graduating high school, the shy student was wary of being “swallowed up” by a large institution.

“I know that I would have been lost in a large school. I have built relationships with the people at this school and my professors know me on a first name basis.  This was a great option for me.”

Hoping to transfer to a four-year university, the formerly shy student now presides over a student government of 15 and represents his school at various functions and events. He even has ambitions for his own radio show someday. Brandon is pleased with his decision to enter a community college first and make the adjustment into college life.

 ”I am so grateful for my community college, I have changed into a new person because of it.”

 Gathering with other members of the SwVCC delegation for a picture, Brandon  seems right at home with his community college family.

Posted by Lauren Von Herbulis

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Energy and perseverance conquer all things.” For the student delegation of Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun, this lesson, from our famed American statesman, rang true.

The group, who woke up at 4 a.m. to get ready for their trip, arrived in Richmond buzzing with energy and excitement for their early morning meetings. Arriving at the General Assembly, they soon learned that the delegates and senators were detained at a meeting and all appointments were postponed.

“That’s okay,” said science major Cindy Spencer, “We can write letters and call.”

Cindy knows the meaning of perseverance. She has made tough decisions to ensure she would persevere through college. After six years as a manager at Starbucks, she sold her house, quit her job, returned to college and made a change in her life.

“I knew that if I did something drastic, it would motivate me to finish my degree. So that’s why I sold my house. I can’t stop now.”

Cindy’s perseverance has paid off.  She will receive the “All-USA” award, which honors those dedicated to serving their campus and community. Her goals are to transfer, study engineering at a four-year institution and work as an aerospace engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. With those ambitions, her energy and perseverance will come in handy.

Sitting at a table on the sixth floor, after a long morning of hiking up and down the General Assembly stairs, Cindy and the other students regroup for a strong end to the day.

They spend the next hour meeting with three delegates and senators, sharing their experiences in community college and seeking support. Sen. Mark Herring even takes time to sign a picture of himself with the group that his assistant printed out while they were meeting. It seems their energy and perseverance has finally paid off.

“These students are known on our campus and we brought them here to enhance their leadership skills and their engagement in the system. They’ve done a great job and finished strong,” said Rashad Morton, student activities coordinator.

Standing in front of the Capitol Building for a photo opportunity, the student delegation rides high on the success of their last hour at the General Assembly. And they still have energy to spare.

Pictured: Cindy Spencer participated in “Everyday is Community College Day” on Wednesday.

Posted by Lauren Von Herbulis

“This is going to be my office someday,” quipped Andrew Williams, straightening his pin-striped suit and looking around the crowded 5th floor of the General Assembly Building.

Andrew, 21, visited the General Assembly as part of a delegation from Piedmont Virginia Community College, meeting with legislators to share his passion — and hopes – for Virginia’s Community Colleges. “I encourage all young people to start at community colleges,” he says.

He knows how hard getting started can be. Graduating from high school in North Carolina a few years ago, he tried the military and then online courses before his mother convinced him her new home in Charlottesville was a “college town.”

He’s glad he came. 

PVCC, he says, is the place for a “people person” like him. He dived into active involvement in Student Government, Virginia21, the Black Student Alliance and the student newspaper. With two part-time jobs — one at the college in media relations — he admits he spreads himself out. But he loves being involved.

In Richmond, he and student government friend Daniel Boyle, 26, sat down with Del. Steven Landes, who told them he is sponsoring a bill that would match donations to community colleges from private donors.

“Community colleges give hope,” Andrew told Del. Landes. “That’s what I have, and what I try to tell my fellow students. It’s about hope.”

Andrew hopes to transfer to that “other” college in Charlottesville (after obtaining an associate’s degree at PVCC), and pursue a career in politics.  He’s already getting his feet wet as a volunteer for the Barrack Obama campaign.

At the General Assembly, Andrew had answers. He had questions. And he had an intensity and panache that says he just may be sharing the hall someday.

(Photo, l to r:  Daniel Boyle, Andrew Williams and Del. Steven Landes)

Posted by Susan Hayden

2008 General Assembly Session Overview 

The General Assembly of Virginia will convene on January 9 at 12:00 noon.  Facing the bodies will be passage of the “caboose” budget bill for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 and Governor Tim Kaine’s proposed $78 billion budget for the 2008-2010 biennium.  The specter hovering over both budget bills will be a slowdown in the economy driven by the slump in the housing industry, causing Kaine to recommend a reduction in the current budget with over $300 million in cuts and $303 million from the “Rainy Day” fund.   Any transfer from the “Rainy Day ” fund will be controversial and must be approved by the General Assembly.

Issues facing legislators include reforming Virginia’s mental health system and potentially making policy with regard to guns on campuses in the wake of last April’s tragic incident at Virginia Tech, establishing pre-school for all 4-year-olds who qualify for free and reduced lunch, re-benchmarking of the Standards of Quality, tackling immigration (especially related to admission to Virginia’s institutions of higher education), restricting payday loans, and revisiting the  2007 session’s decisions on how to finance the transportation system. 

The Governor’s $1.65 million general obligation bond package, announced Dec. 13, contains $340 million for 28 community college projects, 23 of which are at each of Virginia’s community colleges. 

New Committee Chairs 

A Democratic majority will assume power in the Senate, while House Republicans maintain the majority in the House of Delegates.   Both the House and Senate will have some restructuring, as committee chairmanships will change and membership will be realigned.  These changes will be formally established tomorrow.  All chairmanships of Senate committees will be assumed by new leadership; Senate chairmanships were contained in the Dec. 11 post.  The following chairmanships (with five new committee chairs) have been announced in the House of Delegates:

Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources–Harvey B. Morgan (R–Gloucester
Appropriations–Lacey E. Putney (I–Bedford)
Commerce and Labor–Terry G. Kilgore (R–Scott)
Counties, Cities and Towns–Riley E. Ingram (R–Hopewell)
Courts of Justice–David B. Albo (R–Fairfax)
Education–Robert Tata (R–Virginia Beach)
Finance–Harry R. “Bob” Purkey (R–Virginia Beach)
General Laws–Terrie L. Suit (R–Virginia Beach)
Health, Welfare and Institutions–Phillip A. Hamilton (R–Newport News)
Militia, Police and Public Safety–Beverly J. Sherwood (R–Frederick)
Privileges and Elections–Mark L. Cole (R–Spotsylvania)
Science and Technology–Kathy J. Byron (R–Lynchburg)
Rules–Speaker of the House William J. Howell (R–Stafford)
Transportation–Joe T. May (R–Loudoun)

Legislation Impacting Virginia’s Community Colleges 

The 2008 session will feature a myriad of bills of interest to Virginia’s community colleges.  The VCCS will maintain an active weblink to bills that have been identified that are of interest to Virginia’s community colleges.   Please stay tuned to this web log throughout the 2008 General Assembly session as updates will be posted continuously.

Transfer Grants.  SB 148 has been filed by Senator Walter Stosch, the patron of the 2007 Transfer Grant legislation.  SB 148 will allow students who were enrolled in the summer of 2007 to take advantage of community college transfer grants.  (The bill that passed in 2007 applied the scholarship grant money to students who began at community colleges during the fall 2007 semester).

Scholarship Match legislation.  Three bills have been filed to enact the concept of a community college scholarship match program, and more are expected.  SB 125 (Edwards),  HB 117 (Landes),  and HB 512 (Dance) will increase access to higher education for 3,333 new Virginians.  The legislation will provide matching funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia to community college foundations and the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education on a dollar for dollar basis up to an annual amount of $5 million per year.  The state match will correspond to every dollar donated by private individuals, foundations, or corporations after July 1, 2008. 

Posted by Ellen Davenport