Reynolds Community College Awarded $2.3 Million Federal Grant to Expand Healthcare Workforce Training

Reynolds Community College has been awarded $2,357,086 in competitive federal funding through the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) to expand short-term healthcare workforce training aligned with the new Workforce Pell initiative.

The four-year grant fully funds Reynolds’ Healthcare Education for Accelerated Learning (HEAL) project, with no additional support from nongovernmental sources. Through HEAL, the college will strengthen and expand two high-demand, short-term credential programs: Clinical Medical Assistant and Certified Nurse Aide. The initiative is designed to accelerate entry into healthcare careers while helping address critical workforce shortages across Central Virginia.

Reynolds is among more than 70 colleges, universities, nonprofits and organizations nationwide selected to share $169 million in federal funding. The grants support priorities including short-term workforce training, artificial intelligence, civil discourse and accreditation reform. For Reynolds, the investment reinforces the college’s strategic focus on workforce alignment, student access and regional impact.

“This award reflects a long-term, intentional strategy to align Reynolds’ programs with workforce demand and student access,” said Paula Pando, president of Reynolds. “By investing early in program design, employer partnerships and short-term pathways, we were well positioned to act when this opportunity emerged and to deliver meaningful impact for our region’s healthcare workforce.”

Healthcare remains one of the fastest-growing employment sectors in Virginia and across the nation. Employers continue to report urgent demand for trained medical assistants and nurse aides, roles that are essential to patient care in hospitals, clinics and long-term care settings. Short-term, workforce-focused training programs allow students and adult learners to quickly gain the skills needed to enter these in-demand careers while building pathways for continued advancement.

Project HEAL will enable Reynolds and the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA) to rapidly scale proven healthcare training programs in response to this demand. In partnership with VCU Health, the initiative will expand instructional capacity and double the number of Clinical Medical Assistants and Nurse Assistants trained each year.

“Project HEAL enables Reynolds Community College and the Community College Workforce Alliance to rapidly scale proven healthcare training programs to meet urgent regional workforce demand,” said Sean Terrell, associate vice president of research, planning and grants at Reynolds. “With support from the FIPSE grant and in partnership with VCU Health, the initiative will expand capacity and double the number of Clinical Medical Assistants and Nurse Assistants trained each year.”

The HEAL project is structured to align with the Workforce Pell framework, which expands federal financial aid eligibility to certain high-quality, short-term workforce programs. By positioning its programs within this framework, Reynolds is increasing access to training opportunities for students who may not otherwise be able to afford them. The funding will support program expansion, student support services and strategic employer partnerships designed to ensure strong employment outcomes.

For many students, short-term healthcare credentials serve as both an immediate entry point into the workforce and a stepping stone toward advanced credentials and degrees. By expanding these programs, Reynolds continues to create flexible, stackable pathways that meet learners where they are — whether they are recent high school graduates, working adults seeking career advancement or individuals looking to transition into healthcare from other industries.

The award reflects years of preparation and collaboration across the college. Faculty, workforce leaders and employer partners worked to build strong program foundations well before the federal funding opportunity was announced. That groundwork allowed Reynolds to respond quickly and competitively under an accelerated grant timeline.

Beyond increasing the number of trained healthcare professionals in the region, the investment strengthens Reynolds’ role within the Virginia Community College System as a leader in workforce innovation. By aligning programs with labor market data, employer needs and federal policy priorities, the college continues to demonstrate how community colleges can serve as engines of economic mobility and regional growth.

As healthcare systems face ongoing staffing shortages, initiatives like HEAL represent a proactive approach to building sustainable talent pipelines. Through strategic planning, strong partnerships and targeted federal investment, Reynolds is expanding access to high-quality training that leads directly to employment in essential healthcare roles.

With full funding secured through the FIPSE grant, Reynolds is positioned to move forward immediately with implementation — accelerating opportunity for students and strengthening the healthcare workforce that serves communities across Central Virginia.