Ride Along with Reynolds -- January 2026
Ride Along with Reynolds, a series about where the college is heading, who's joining us for the ride, and why it matters for our students and the community.
In this episode of Ride Along with Reynolds, we celebrate our inaugural Surgical Technology pinning, the opening of First Impression, continued enrollment growth, and community connection and celebration at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
Transcript
Happy New Year and welcome to what promises to be a fantastic 2026 at Reynolds. This is a year of opportunity, collaboration, and impact as we empower our students and strengthen the greater Richmond region.
We closed 2025 with moments that remind us why our work matters, starting with a historic milestone for Reynolds. On Dec. 12, we celebrated the inaugural pinning ceremony for our surgical technology program. We all know the outstanding nurses Reynolds prepares each year, and now we're adding another essential group of health care professionals to that legacy. Surgical technologists are critical members of the operating room team, ensuring safe, efficient care for patients. Our graduates are stepping into one of the nation's fastest-growing health care fields. Many already have job offers or are completing applications with our local hospitals. This is Reynolds answering the call, preparing talent where it's needed most.
We also celebrated a powerful new way to support students beyond the classroom. Reynolds opened First Impression, a professional clothing boutique that helps students prepare for interviews, internships, and career opportunities. Through the generosity of our faculty, staff, and community, students can access professional attire at no cost, along with resume support, mock interviews, and career coaching. First Impression is about confidence, access, and opportunity.
December also gave us time to celebrate together. Faculty and staff gathered at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden's GardenFest of Lights. With cookies, hot cocoa, and beautiful gardens aglow, we celebrated a successful fall term and the partnership that now anchors our horticulture program at the garden. And yes, we had a lot to celebrate: enrollment continued to grow, retention rates climbed again, and more than 2,000 valuable credentials were awarded. These achievements didn't happen by chance. They reflect the passion, creativity, and commitment of our faculty and staff transforming lives every day.
As we step into this new year, our mission — delivering outstanding education with pathways to degrees and in-demand careers in a culture where every student belongs — matters now more than ever. Each of us plays a vital role. Thank you for being part of our journey and our story at Reynolds. Here's to a year of promise, purpose, and possibility. Happy New Year.