Rappahannock Community College reports rising New Kent enrollment, expanding workforce programs

At the New Kent County Board of Supervisors' March work session, Dr. Shannon Kennedy of Rappahannock Community College briefed supervisors on growing local enrollment and new workforce programming.

"The head count of your students from New Kent at RCC this past academic year was 349 students," Kennedy said, noting that figure reflects credit enrollment only and represents a 35% increase over five years. She said 139 of those students are dual-enrollment and that dual-enrollment students have a 97 percent success rate, meaning most complete courses with a C or better.

Kennedy highlighted vocational expansions: since opening a welding shop, RCC has served 48 unduplicated students who can earn multiple certifications; 25% of those students are New Kent residents. The college is expanding welding capacity at its Glens campus, adding a diesel shop and pursuing new electrical programs, including marine electrical at the New Kent site to serve shipyard-related workforce needs. She noted a pending Go Virginia grant and a partnership model with industry (Turn Dynamics) in which an industry instructor would teach as an adjunct.

Kennedy also described a new health sciences building under construction at the Warsaw campus that will house nursing simulation labs and EMS simulation training. The construction contract is signed and the college says it has secured just over $8 million toward that project.

Supervisors thanked Kennedy and asked follow-up questions about placement of graduates and program capacity. The college said welding classes are in high demand and that sign-on bonuses are being offered by employers, underscoring local job opportunities for program graduates.

The update comes as county staff and board members weigh workforce and capital priorities in the FY27 budget discussion.