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Rappahannock Community College details new health‑sciences facility and program growth
Summary
RCC reported enrollment gains, new dual‑enrollment welding at New Kent, and a planned $7.2 million health‑sciences building in Warsaw funded largely by a federal grant and private donations; the college asked local officials to continue support and highlighted Lancaster student counts.
Dr. Kennedy, president of Rappahannock Community College, told the Lancaster County Board on March 27 that RCC is expanding workforce programs and building a new health‑sciences facility in Warsaw to serve regional needs.
Key points: Kennedy said RCC opened a new welding facility in New Kent in August, expanding dual‑enrollment options for high‑school students and freeing space at the Glenns campus for additional students, including those from Lancaster County. The college is finalizing plans for a diesel and welding building that will allow conversion of existing space for other trades and to expand HVAC instruction.
Major capital project: Kennedy described a proposed health‑sciences facility in Warsaw estimated at about $7.2 million. The college reported it has received more than $5 million from the Economic Development Administration and raised a local match of about $1.2 million; a $500,000 gift from a Lancaster County foundation was announced at the meeting, bringing total fundraising to roughly $7.1 million. The 10,000‑square‑foot facility will house nursing and diagnostic medical sonography (echo) programs, an EMS simulation bay with a driveable ambulance simulator and nursing simulation labs. The college plans to break ground in July on property owned by its educational foundation adjacent to the Chinn House.
Enrollment and outcomes: Kennedy said enrollment has recovered and now exceeds pre‑pandemic levels in many areas; the college has higher credential and continuing‑education numbers. She noted the program’s first sonography graduates had strong job outcomes, including one graduate who received a $25,000 signing bonus. Campus initiatives include plans for marine electrical at New Kent and renovations to create residential‑electrical and expanded diesel program capacity.
Local connections: Kennedy said the college operates a Kilmarnock site for short courses (medication aide, CNA and other lab work) and that navigators and dual‑enrollment staff are active in Lancaster High School. She said 14% of Lancaster High School graduates attend RCC and that 46% of Lancaster students enrolled at Virginia colleges choose RCC.
Ending: Kennedy asked the supervisors to continue support for RCC’s regional workforce role. The board requested a written breakdown of Lancaster student counts and scholarships; Kennedy said she would provide the data.
