With a strong commitment to serving the needs of adult learners, Virginia’s Community Colleges are seeing growing numbers of students seeking a wide range of academic and non-academic supports.
Almost a quarter of students in transfer/academic programs at Virginia’s Community Colleges are working adults. The numbers are even higher for learners in our workforce training programs, where the average student age is 34 and 58 percent of students in VCCS FastForward programs care for dependents at home.
A panel of these students at the 2025 Chancellor’s Retreat spotlighted some of the programs that have helped them to manage the competing needs of college and adult responsibilities.
Seen on the left during the Chancellor’s Retreat August 7, Dr. Felicia Ganther, Sr. Vice Chancellor for Academic and Workforce programs, led a student panel focusing on the need and benefit of a wide range of academic and non-academic student support services. Students (l. to r.) Katie Bradley/CVCC, Olivia Burton/NRCC, Shaquitta Eley/BCC, and Steven Poillon/RCC.
Eley
A single mom with two daughters, Shaquitta Eley found her footing at Brightpoint Community College when advisors realized her full-time course load was just too much and helped her organize and manage a more reasonable path.
“I was working three jobs, said Ms. Eley, “I don’t want to do that forever. She’s now on her way to an associate degree in human services.
Poillon
Steven Poillon was first exposed to Germanna Community College courses when he was incarcerated. He says he got the help he needed as he returned to society at Rappahannock Community College and has earned his associate degree to be an electrician.
“The college was there to help me learn everything about basics with computers and zoom calls,” said Poillon. He’s now helping others in his community.
Burton
Olivia Burton qualified for New River Community College’s tuition-free community college access program and is working toward a degree in business administration. She’s grateful for the ACCE program and for opportunities to connect with other students. “Being invited to join groups helped me get my feet on the ground at New River and sometimes you don’t even realize when opportunities are opening up for you until later on,” she said.
Bradley
With four children to raise, Katie Bradley didn’t complete her program the first time around at Central Virginia Community College. But with help from the Great Expectations program that supports VCCS students who came through the foster care system, Bradley was able to re-focus and gain her degree to become a paramedic.
“The emotional guidance from my life coach and financial help from Great Expectations allowed me to focus on my future instead of just surviving,” said Bradley. “Today, I have a career I love.”
Nationally, the number of adults returning to college is on the rise. And looking forward, the system’s Accelerate Opportunity Strategic Plan explicitly sets a goal to enroll more working-age adults.
