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Reynolds Community College reports enrollment gains, new partnerships and major grants
Summary
Reynolds Community College told the Richmond City Council it increased enrollment, strengthened workforce and transfer partnerships (including a 2+2 nursing pathway with Virginia State University), won competitive grants and secured private philanthropic gifts to expand health programs and career training.
Paula Pando, president of Reynolds Community College, told the Organizational Development Standing Committee that the college's priorities this year focused on strengthening career programs and partnerships that lead to well-paying jobs.
Pando highlighted a new 2+2 nursing pathway with Virginia State University to address nursing shortages, a training partnership with Bon Secours that pays students to train in health professions, and deeper collaboration with VCU Health. She said Reynolds was "one of only 18 community colleges in the nation awarded a FIPSE grant" of about $2.4 million to expand health programming and announced a $5 million private gift to support downtown health programs.
The president tied the college's workforce role to regional economic development, noting Reynolds' contribution to talent pipelines for large private investments. She cited recent enrollment increases (a roughly 8% rise and a fall headcount of about 9,376 students) and said nearly 1,200 City of Richmond residents were enrolled in credit programs, with many adult learners and high rates of Pell Grant eligibility.
Pando also described new hands-on facilities (a simulated ambulance and relocated horticulture lab at the Louis Ginter Botanical Garden), a first graduating cohort of surgical technology students with 100% job placement, and a career services "boutique" to support student employment readiness.
Councilmembers praised the college's progress and asked about trades and CTE partnerships with Richmond Public Schools; Pando said staff aim to co-locate some expensive trade programs with partner sites so students can earn credentials while in high school.
Councilmembers thanked Pando and Reynolds' board members for the reported gains and asked staff to keep council informed of partnership and workforce developments.
