Piedmont Virginia Community College tells Buckingham supervisors about enrollment, dual enrollment and workforce programs

Piedmont Virginia Community College President Jean Renyen and Vice President Scott Jeffries appeared before the Buckingham County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 8 to brief members on the college’s regional role, recent accomplishments and workforce-focused programming.

Renyen said PVCC – one campus in a 23-college Virginia Community College system – is focused on access, completion and community impact. The college reported nearly 869 total graduates and credentials this past year, of whom 47 graduates were from Buckingham County earning 54 awards. Renyen pointed to the college’s role in workforce training and highlighted students from Buckingham who have moved into competitive programs.

Jeffries discussed affordability and funding. He said roughly half of PVCC’s operating budget is state funds, with about 41% coming from tuition and fees and the remainder from grants and other sources. He reviewed the college’s short-term workforce credential programs — such as CDL, HVAC and welding — that use a mixed funding model to reduce cost for students.

Officials also discussed dual enrollment. Jeffries said legislation enacted in February 2024 made dual enrollment free across the Commonwealth for eligible high-school students for prescribed pathways, and PVCC is expanding online and in-person offerings to comply with the mandate. The college also noted it is the first institution in Virginia officially approved as a prison education program by the U.S. Department of Education, which allows eligible incarcerated students to receive Pell grants for approved coursework.

Board members thanked college officials and recognized Joyce Gooden, who represents Buckingham on the college board. PVCC invited supervisors to upcoming events and encouraged them to share information about PVCC’s student dashboards and workforce programs with constituents.