Jsrcc’S Pump College Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

Despite our best intentions, life doesn’t ever plow out the agency nosotros plan.  Students motility into high schoolhouse anticipating 4 consecutive years of report culminating amongst graduation. However during those 4 years circumstances change, plans cash inwards one's chips awry, as well as non every pupil finishes high schoolhouse equally planned.   How create those individuals, some amongst dreams of non exclusively completing high schoolhouse merely going on to college, pick upwards the pieces, larn dorsum on rails to earn a GED, larn labor cook and/or cash inwards one's chips on to college?

Ten years ago, inwards 2003, the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) began a novel first known equally Middle College which was designed to offering a college chance to individuals betwixt xviii as well as 24 not currently enrolled inwards high school, who demonstrate a 9^th score flat based on Reading as well as Math exam results, as well as who are cook to commit to their hereafter through participation inwards a structured academic as well as pre-vocational program.

Reynolds was amid a handful of VCCS schools who at nowadays adopted the program.  While preparing for the GED, students also have assistance amongst enrolling inwards college, applying for fiscal assistance as well as scholarship opportunities, identifying an academic/vocational plan, preparing for the Virginia College Placement exam (VPT) as well as registering for classes, all at no toll to the student.

In the concluding 10 years to a greater extent than than 809 students cause got been served past times the Middle College at Reynolds.  Of those 809 students, 565 or 70% cause got earned their GED, as well as 548 (68%) cause got also earned a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC), a workplace credential.  The bulk of students also completed a Student Development Course, earning their starting fourth dimension college credit. Over 300 of the Middle College graduates cause got continued amongst college at a VCCS institution.

Mary Jo Washko, manager of the Middle College Program, noted, “We are incredibly proud of our students as well as what they cause got accomplished over the past times 10 years. They are proof that difficult function as well as conclusion tin mail away propel an private beyond the challenges inwards life that threaten to block the route to success. I am humbled everyday past times the tenacity of our students equally they address family, work, housing, as well as shipping issues to convey wages of this program. They empathize that everyone doesn’t larn a minute gamble as well as they’re non well-nigh to waste matter this opportunity. We are real grateful for the fiscal back upwards provided past times individuals, foundations, as well as businesses which has ensured that the students of the Middle College cause got access to a hereafter total of selection as well as chance made possible through instruction as well as training.”

There are currently l computer program graduates enrolled at JSRCC piece others chose to pursue preparation at other educational institutions inwards the Richmond region.  Some graduates cause got decided to pursue work to gain stability earlier pursuing additional preparation piece others function piece also going to schoolhouse on a component division fourth dimension basis. After graduating from the Middle College Sherika worked for years at a local cable companionship as well as took classes at JSRCC inwards the evening.  She has completed 57 college credits merely has taken a intermission from classes to pursue her lifelong dream of opening a daycare see which she at nowadays operates out of her home. Jamal as well as Jessica decided cash inwards one's chips along their instruction at nowadays afterward completing the Middle College as well as they are both at nowadays taking classes at the college. Jessica has already completed a certificate computer program as well as is at nowadays working towards her Associate’s degree, Jamal is on the Dean’s list. Ronnie finished the Middle College as well as was selected for an exposure lawsuit at NASA’s Langley Research Center inwards Hampton, he is interested inwards pursuing a score inwards Science or Technology.  Crystal graduated from the Middle College inwards 2007 as well as returned to earn her Pharmacy Tech certificate inwards 2012, she is at nowadays working at a local infirmary amongst aspirations to larn a pharmacist.  Natasha is pursuing her score inwards Architecture as well as working at a local architectural firm. Middle College graduates are at nowadays students inwards 4 yr colleges as well as universities, managing local establishments, as well as working inwards populace as well as private offices all around the region. Several students are also at nowadays employed past times J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. 

 This yr the Middle College received to a greater extent than than 500 applications. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 rigorous procedure of testing, interviewing, as well as orientation results inwards a maximum of 40 students existence accepted inwards both the autumn as well as saltation semesters, as well as an additional xx students are typically accepted inwards the summer. JSR alum Jackie Epps who serves equally the Middle College’s component division specialist has been amongst the computer program since its inception, providing an incredible wealth of institutional knowledge. Three work-study students who are Middle College graduates serve equally mentors to electrical current students inwards the program.

  

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