With State Delegates and Senators back in Richmond for their 2025 General Assembly session, Virginia’s Community Colleges are again trekking to the State Capitol. The goal of the visits is to ensure that decision makers understand how our colleges contribute to Virginia’s economy by training people for jobs that employers want to fill. “Last year, we served more than 232,000 students statewide,” VCCS Chancellor David Doré told a gathering of lawmakers and leaders last week. “These are Virginians who have brought their hopes and dreams to us, to help them build better lives.”
BRCC President John Downey and students visit with Sen. Mark Obenshain on 1.15.25.
Sending student delegations to share their personal stories with lawmakers provides an important boost to the messaging that VCCS representatives provide daily during the Assembly’s winter session. A planning calendar indicates all 23 of our colleges are planning trips to this year’s Assembly.
Our students are a diverse group, made up of working adults and parents in addition to traditional college-age learners. Chancellor Doré hopes lawmakers will learn about the challenges they face and overcome with the help of our college faculty and staff.
NRCC students visit with Sen. Travis Hackworth on 1.15.25.
“It’s important to remember that 81 percent of our graduates stay in Virginia to make their livings and contribute to the state’s vitality,” said Doré. “And in most instances our students are graduating without debt.”
That statement about lack of student debt for VCCS graduates sparked a hearty round of applause during the legislative reception for lawmakers and other leaders on January 21. Sponsored by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education, the gathering showed there’s bi-partisan support for community colleges.
“The heart of our economic growth is the talent we have in Virginia,” said the state’s Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Our community colleges must be THE workforce development engine of Virginia, whether they’ve helping high school graduates make their way into universities or into the workforce with industry credentials.”
VCCS Chancellor David Doré speaks at the VFCCE’s Legislative Reception 1.21.25
“You are on our radar,” said Del. Luke Torian (D-Prince William), Chairman of the important House of Delegates Appropriations Committee. “Community colleges provide access for people to gain the training they need. Please trust me when I tell you that you matter!”
Our system is seeking funding at the 2025 General Assembly to help pay for expanded dual enrollment programs, to help more students afford to enroll in FastForward programs, and to grow targeted workforce training programs for in-demand jobs across the Commonwealth.
Final decisions on the new state budget are often delayed until the end of the legislative session, scheduled for February 22 this year.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Del. Luke Torian at the VFCCE’s Legislative Reception 1.21.25.
As our college delegations meet with their local lawmakers this winter, they are providing updated fact sheets that help explain the contributions of the VCCS:
Also, you can view and download more photos from the VFCCE’s 2025 Legislative Reception.
