The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education
INVESTING IN
TOMORROW’S
LEADERS Unlocking Potential Across the Commonwealth
Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders
A gift that lasts a
lifetime
Virginia’s Community Colleges are places of untold possibility. Through affordable, skills-based higher education, students prepare for success in career, community, and life. And yet, the cost of this life-changing opportunity is still out of reach for many Virginians— especially those who stand to benefit most.
With the help of committed partners and investors, the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education is working to increase the number of scholarships and fellowships available to dedicated students.
The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education
When you support scholarships at Virginia’s Community Colleges, you open the world of higher education and beyond. Even a relatively modest gift can transform a student’s life by removing the financial barriers that prevent thousands of Virginians from ever attending college. Scholarships open access, reduce student debt, and accelerate student progress and completion so they can focus on their ultimate goals of transferring to a college or university or entering a chosen career. The impact of these gains is massive when translated into a lifetime of increased earnings, career growth, and healthier families and communities.
Your support
• Eliminates Financial Barriers to College • Reduces Student Debt • Increases Degree Completion • Shows Capable Students They Matter
The impact • Increased Earnings • Career Growth
• Healthier Families • Stronger Communities
Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders
Removing
Financial Barriers
to Higher Education
“ This scholarship was a gift to me and my family because it means I can graduate on time without taking on debt.”
Austin was given the opportunity to pursue a career in youth pastorhood thanks to the Anita J. Wyatt Commonwealth Legacy Scholarship, funded with a grant from Wells Fargo.
The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education
“ Wells Fargo has provided more than $800,000 in scholarships. What’s most exciting is that we have supported nearly 350 students, like Austin, across Virginia. Wells Fargo believes in giving directly to organizations and institutions in the local communities where we live and work.” Anna Bard, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo
$7,594
average unmet financial need
Even though community college costs a fraction of four-year institutions, a full-time student still needs at least $13,542 to cover annual tuition, fees, books, and basic living expenses. Federal and state grants cover a portion of this cost, leaving a financial gap that is beyond the means of thousands of families.
$4,663
average annual student loan amount
Increasingly, students borrow money to fund their education despite the risks debt poses to economically vulnerable households. Scholarships significantly reduce the financial burden students carry. Scholarship funding can dramatically increase the chance that students will enroll and complete their degrees.
Making an impact School came easily for Austin, which might lead one to assume that college was a natural next step. But the cost of college presented significant challenges. “I was accepted to a four-year college, but the cost was too high, especially since I didn’t know what I wanted to study.” Instead, Austin enrolled at Danville Community College with the help of a Commonwealth Legacy Scholarship funded by Wells Fargo. “This scholarship was a gift to me and my family because it means I can graduate on time without taking on debt.”
Austin’s interests evolved once he got to college. “I started in engineering because I was good at it and knew I could get a good job, but I realized I didn’t have a passion for it.” Instead, he reflected on growing up in his local church where he was part of the community helping others. Now he’s on track to complete an associate degree in Liberal Arts and transfer to nearby Averett University to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies. “I’d love to be a youth pastor and make an impact,” says Austin. As the first member of his family to attend college, he is well on his way.
04
Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders
Supporting whatILLED WITH
Matters Most
Scholarship Opportunities Your support helps dynamic students successfully enter the world of higher education, creating a legacy that is felt right here in Virginia. Whatever your philanthropic passion may be, the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education can design a scholarship program that aligns with your goals and interests.
• Commonwealth Legacy Scholarships Created in 2006, Commonwealth Legacy Scholarships recognize full-time students seeking an associate degree for the first time. Eligible students are high-school graduates who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to developing leadership skills.
• Named and Memorial Scholarships When you create a named or memorial scholarship at Virginia’s Community Colleges, you provide assistance to deserving students who dream of obtaining a college degree but otherwise could not afford it. We encourage you to create your own named endowed or annual scholarship fund in a way that means the most to you.
• Fellowships: Investing in Future Leaders Fellowships are awarded to second-year students with excellent academic records who demonstrate leadership potential in designated fields of study. In addition to financial awards to help advance their academic studies, Fellows participate in special activities including conferences, meetings, and presentations designed to highlight aspects of leadership in the public and private sectors.
The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education
1
2
5
3
1 Investing in Early Childhood Development Ben and Betty Davenport of Danville, Virginia, founded the Davenport Early Childhood Development Institute in partnership with four of Virginia’s Community Colleges: Danville, Patrick Henry, Virginia Western, and New River Community Colleges. The Davenport Fellows Program recognizes select students pursuing a career in childhood development with scholarships, service opportunities, and leadership experiences.
2 Championing a Mother’s Commitment to Education Born in Germany during World War I, Ms. Berman emigrated with her family to the U.S. with a dream of a new life far from the devastating effects of the Holocaust. She came to realize that through all the sacrifice, one thing was a constant beacon of hope: education. She became a champion of the community college concept and continued her education throughout her life via community college classes. Her daughter, Eleanor Saslaw, a member of the State Board for Community Colleges, has established the Florence Levine Berman Scholarship as a living legacy that reflects her mother’s love of learning and her new country: “The U.S. is the land of opportunity and I am fortunate to be here,” she said.
3 Leaving a Lasting Legacy A member of the State Board for Community Colleges, LaVonne Parker Ellis lived, loved, and breathed community college education. She established a scholarship in 2015 and included The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education in her estate plans. Today her spirit lives on in ongoing support for students who receive her scholarship.
4
4 Equipping Virginia’s Middle Peninsula Karen and Steve Barrs of Little England Mercantile are equipping people with the tools they need to strengthen their lives, families, and community. The Barrs, along with support from multiple businesses on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula and Peninsula regions, created EquipVA, a scholarship fund for college students working toward a professional certification at Rappahannock Community College or Thomas Nelson Community College.
“ EquipVA speaks to exactly what we are all coming together to do—equip others with the skills they need to move on and up in their life and career...We want to give people who may not have thought they had a future in higher education another option to help earn family-sustaining wages.”—Karen Barrs
5 Building Health Care Careers in Southern Virginia The Chris A. Lumsden Commonwealth Legacy Scholarship provides a permanent tribute to Mr. Lumsden, an exemplary leader in health care and champion of higher education. This scholarship provides financial assistance to students at Southside Virginia or Danville Community Colleges and leads to job placement within Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital.
Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders
Launching a Career
Filled with Promise
More than 26,000 students graduate from Virginia’s Community Colleges each year. Many move on to bachelor’s programs at one of the state’s four-year colleges or universities, while others begin their careers with the skills they need to succeed.
Your investment unlocks a lifetime of potential
Scholarships are the bridge that help students across the Commonwealth prepare for in-demand careers in their local communities.
Fire Science Technology $83,332 Fire-Fighter Northern Virginia
Registered Nurse
$56,281 Richmond
Dental Hygienist
$67,149 Lynchburg
Electronic and Communications Engineering Technician
$70,630
Cyber Security Specialist Bristol
$62,165 Blacksburg
$53,312
Precision Metal Worker Danville
Industrial $69,620 Production Technician Hampton Roads
*Regional Median Salaries for 2018
The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education
Fellowships Advance Student Success 1P otomac Health Foundation Fellows Program Recognizing health sciences students at Germanna or Northern Virginia Community Colleges, this program provides promising second-year students with financial assistance and a unique leadership curriculum in order to pursue a career in health care that supports healthy communities.
2V alley Proteins Fellows Program Thanks to the support of J.J. and Mike Smith of Valley Proteins, ten exceptional students are recognized each year as Valley Proteins Fellows. The program provides second-year students with scholarships in addition to mentoring, coaching, networking opportunities, and leadership development activities.
3 I nova Fellows Program This program recognizes ten exceptional students from Northern Virginia, Germanna, Lord Fairfax and Eastern Shore Community Colleges who are pursuing a career in health care. The award includes a full-tuition scholarship plus a unique curriculum of activities designed to expand their community involvement and cultivate a strong foundation for a successful future.
4D avenport Fellows Program Ben and Betty Davenport invested $1 million to establish the Davenport Institute for Early Childhood Development in partnership with Virginia’s Community Colleges and The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education. The Davenports have championed public and private investments in higher education to foster economic development and a skilled and educated workforce. The Institute increases credentials for child care professionals, the quality of child care development centers, and establishes the Davenport Fellows Program.
“ Knowing that you have help means a great deal to someone like me who can see the future, but is not able to afford the path to get there.“ — Lisa Mullins, Davenport Fellow, Virginia Western Community College
Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders
Help Virginia Students
Reach Higher Your gift, whether given annually or endowed, is a transformative investment in our students, the Commonwealth, and our shared future.
“ This scholarship has given me a future.
It’s more than just financial resources. It has given me professional networking opportunities and a better start to obtain additional education. I hope one day to eventually give back in the same way that I have been helped.
“
Sarah Moylan
2018 Potomac Health Foundation Fellow
The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education
THE BOARD of DIRECTORS Carolyn Berkowitz Burke, Virginia Gretchen C. Byrd Richmond, Virginia Karen I. Campbell Richmond, Virginia
“Scholarships are a powerful vote of confidence that can spur talented students to unimagined heights— especially those young people who do not have a family history of attending college.” —Gaye Montgomery, VFCCE Board member
Ben Davenport, Jr., Secretary Chatham, Virginia Dan R. Dixon Arlington, Virginia Glenn DuBois Richmond, Virginia Elizabeth El-Nattar McLean, Virginia The Hon. Nancy Firestone Falls Church, Virginia
There are many ways to support tomorrow’s leaders
Christopher French Edinburg, Virginia Jennifer Sager Gentry Glen Allen, Virginia Julia Gilliam Sterling Richmond, Virginia
If you would like more information, please contact:
Philip H. Goodpasture, General Counsel Richmond, Virginia
Jennifer S. Gentry
Dorcas Helfant-Browning, Chair Virginia Beach, Virginia
Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement (804) 819-4962 jgentry@vccs.edu
Ronald Holmes Fredericksburg, Virginia
Anne R. McCaffrey
John J. Rainone Clifton Forge, Virginia
Director of Community Engagement (804) 819-5396 amccaffrey@vccs.edu vfcce.org
Gaye C. Montgomery, Treasurer Richmond, Virginia
Brad Repp Fredericksburg, Virginia Stewart D. Roberson, Vice Chair Richmond, Virginia Paula Rothenberg Falls Church, Virginia Paul E. Ruppert Richmond, Virginia Javier Vasquez Falls Church, Virginia
The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. Our federal tax id is 23-7004354. In keeping with statewide and national practice, the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education maintains an administrative fee of 4 percent, which will be assessed on a one-time basis on all new restricted contributions. The proceeds from this fee will further Foundation development efforts, allowing for advances in processing gifts, stewarding donors, and preparing for and executing fundraising activities.
Michael Wilkerson Winchester, Virginia
Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders
BUILDING
THE FUTURE OF
Fellows programs recognize deserving second-year students with excellent academic records who demonstrate leadership potential. In addition to financial awards, Fellows receive special development opportunities to connect with leaders in Virginia’s public and private sectors. On the cover are students visiting the state capitol, where they learned functions of state government and participated in legislative events. Names of student (front to back): Kathryn Dodd, Lord Fairfax Community College Alisha Reakoff, Lord Fairfax Community College Madeleine Russell, Germanna Community College Kibiriti Majuto, Piedmont Virginia Community College Said Hamdani, Northern Virginia Community College
300 Arboretum Place, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23236
vfcce.org
