In August 2001, JSRCC hosted a week-long Biotechnology Camp for middle-school students from the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico and Powhatan. The camp provided career exploration activities for 56 students.  The organizers of the Biotechnology Camp - JSRCC's Dorothy Schrag and JTCC's Billie Nichols - were awarded the 2001 Educators of the Year Award by the Virginia Biotechnology Association on October 22, 2001.

JSRCC has developed an extensive English as a Second Language program that provides a full program of assessment, individual diagnosis and placement for the growing number of residents who do not speak English. Since 1999, the program (a joint project of the college's Division of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and the  Workforce Alliance) has more than tripled in size, serving 140 full-time equivalent students.  The ESL program was developed in partnership with local employers such as Capital One Financial Corporation.

American Sign Language

In cooperation with Germanna Community College, JSRCC will be offering classes in American Sign Language via a videoconferencing system and with on-site classes in the Germanna region. Since there is no similar program anywhere else in the I-95 corridor, JSRCC and Germanna will be able to serve a critical need for sign interpreters throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Computer Training for Teachers

JSRCC's Division of Information Systems, Business & Public Safety created a special program in computer literacy for Richmond Public School teachers to bring RPS faculty into compliance with technology standards. A similar program for Henrico County teachers has been offered for four years. Over 4,995 employees of Henrico County have completed computer training at JSRCC in the past five years.

Last Edited: 04/06/2004