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Community college reports growth at New Kent site; welding, sonography and new marine electrical program planned
Summary
A representative from RCC said the New Kent site finished a welding lab conversion, graduated students from diagnostic medical sonography program with strong job placements, and seeks a flat budget request while expanding dual enrollment and vocational offerings.
A representative identified as Dr. Kennedy briefed the New Kent County Board of Supervisors on March 10 about the college’s New Kent campus programs, enrollment and a flat fiscal request for the coming year.
Kennedy said the New Kent site (referred to as RCC) requested a flat budget for the county, reported 73 graduates from New Kent County in a recent year, and described growth in enrollment: a head count of 309 reported for the prior year. The site completed a welding lab retrofit in the old school cafeteria and offers dual-enrollment classes during the day and evening classes year-round.
Kennedy highlighted the diagnostic medical sonography program housed at the site, noting the program’s first graduates in December and that graduates have secured clinical placements and jobs, including at VCU Health with a reported $25,000 signing bonus and starting salaries above $70,000 for some positions. The presenter said no other nearby community college offers that sonography program and that students travel from neighboring counties and Richmond to attend.
The college plans to build a marine electrical program to pair with welding instruction, funded through a “marine industrial base” pipeline intended to support shipbuilding and Navy-related work. Kennedy said cost estimates for a future lab build-out were “eye opening,” and the college has secured some funding to begin the marine electrical program rather than a larger lab construction at this time.
Kennedy thanked the board for allowing a continued presence in New Kent and said the New Kent site’s programming has expanded opportunities for local students and employers seeking workforce training.
