Reynolds Community College students joined peers from across the Commonwealth at the Virginia General Assembly for Community College Student Day, meeting face-to-face with lawmakers to advocate for continued investment in affordable education and workforce training.
More than 200 students and administrators representing Virginia’s 23 community colleges gathered in Richmond as part of a coordinated advocacy effort organized by the Virginia Community College System. Throughout the morning, student delegations met with members of the House of Delegates and Senate to discuss workforce needs, career pathways, and the vital role community colleges play in strengthening Virginia’s economy.
Students at the center of the conversation
Six Reynolds students were at the heart of those conversations. Accompanied by President Dr. Paula Pando, senior leadership, and faculty, the students introduced themselves to legislators, shared their programs of study and hometowns, and described how access to affordable tuition and hands-on training is shaping their futures. Their stories reflected the diversity of today’s community college student.
“Virginia’s community college students are our best advocates,” said Chancellor Dr. David Doré of the Virginia Community College System. “They represent working adults, parents, first-generation college students, and future transfer students — people whose success depends on continued investment in education that is affordable, accessible, and aligned with real workforce demand.”
For many Reynolds students, the visit was more than a civics lesson. It was an opportunity to explain directly to policymakers how dual enrollment, transfer pathways, and short-term workforce credentials are creating clear, affordable routes into high-demand careers.
Workforce pathways that work
Students shared personal experiences with initiatives such as G3 tuition assistance and the FastForward workforce credential program, which help remove financial barriers for those pursuing careers in high-demand fields. Several described balancing school with work and family responsibilities, emphasizing how flexible scheduling and local access make it possible to stay on track.
Healthcare workforce training was a central theme of the day’s discussions. Reynolds leaders highlighted the growing demand for nurses, medical technicians, and other allied health professionals across the Capital Region. Students enrolled in healthcare programs explained how simulation-based labs and clinical experiences prepare them for real patient care — and why continued investment in modern training environments matters for safety, confidence, and readiness.
They also reinforced a powerful message: most graduates stay in Virginia.
Systemwide, 78 percent of Virginia’s community college graduates are working in-state five years after graduation — one of the highest rates in the Commonwealth. Yet community colleges receive the lowest per-student funding among Virginia’s public higher education institutions. Reynolds students emphasized that continued state investment ensures colleges can expand capacity, maintain high-quality instruction, and respond quickly to workforce shortages.
A major economic driver
Virginia’s Community Colleges serve nearly half — 48 percent — of all public undergraduate students in the Commonwealth and generate $11.6 billion in annual economic activity. In the academic year 2024 alone, more than 232,000 students were served across the system’s 23 colleges.
Throughout the morning, Reynolds students met with delegates and senators representing the Richmond region and beyond. In each meeting, they followed a simple but impactful approach: thank legislators for their service and support, introduce themselves and their programs, and share how their education is preparing them to contribute to Virginia’s workforce.
Many students spoke about plans to remain in the Richmond area after graduation — working in local hospitals, laboratories, schools, and businesses. Their stories underscored the direct connection between state investment in community colleges and the strength of local communities.
Later in the day, student groups were recognized from the floor of either the Senate or House of Delegates, reflecting bipartisan recognition of the critical role community colleges play in workforce development, economic growth, and regional vitality.
Learning civic engagement firsthand
For these Reynolds students, the experience offered a meaningful reminder that their voices matter.
By stepping into legislative offices and sharing personal stories, they represented classmates who could not attend, future students who will benefit from expanded access, and employers counting on a skilled pipeline of talent.
As the day concluded, Reynolds students returned to campus with more than photos and handshakes. They carried with them a deeper understanding of civic engagement — and the knowledge that their stories help shape the future of education and workforce development across Virginia.
To view photos of that special day, please visit our General Assembly Flickr album.