Dr. Keith Harkins, left, with VCCS Chancellor David Doré at the 2025 Hire Education Conference Awards ceremony in Roanoke, Nov. 14.
It’s not a stretch to argue that Keith Harkins has helped to keep the lights on across the Commonwealth. As VP of Workforce and Academic Programs at Southside Virginia Community College, Dr. Harkins led development of pioneering VCCS programs to train utility workers, prepare military veterans for work in data centers, and teach job skills to give incarcerated people a better chance of success when they return to society. For his long career of changing lives through expanded and innovative workforce training programs, Dr. Harkins was recognized at the 2025 VCCS Hire Education Conference as winner of the Extraordinary Contributor to Workforce Development Award, the gathering’s top accolade.
“This event continues to be more than just a highlight of the Hire Education Conference. It is a vital moment to recognize the extraordinary work our colleagues are doing and the partnerships they’ve built, all in service to the people and employers of Virginia,” said VCCS Chancellor David Doré.
Malone
Makiko Malone, Apprenticeship Coach at Southside Virginia Community College received the Hire Education award for Outstanding Achievement by a college faculty of staff member. Malone was recognized for her extraordinary work helping students in career and education planning, program admissions, securing resources, job placement, and work experiences.
The Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Workforce Partnership, led by Reynolds Community College and the Community College Workforce Alliance, was honored for Outstanding Achievement Through A Collaboration or Consortia of Partners. Since 2022, the partnership has launched multiple new programs aimed at creating a seamless pipeline to train workers and helped to create a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub in the Richmond/Petersburg area. Seen above, l. to r.: Sean Terrell-Reynolds Community College, Drexel Harris-Brightpoint Community College, Elizabeth Creamer-Community College Workforce Alliance, Chancellor Doré, and Joy Polefrone-APM Tech Hub/Alliance for Building Better Medicine.
Boltinghouse
The Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Workforce Partnership
Brittany Boltinghouse, healthcare program coordinator at Virginia Western Community College, was recognized for Outstanding Achievement from a Rising Star. In less than two years at Virginia Western, Boltinghouse has demonstrated a creative approach to scheduling, funding, and flexible delivery, which has made healthcare training accessible to working adults and families and has built training pipelines in collaboration with Carilion Clinic and Total Action for Progress. Boltinghouse is seen here with Dr. Doré.
Adams
The collaboration between Virginia Western Community College and Steel Dynamics, Inc. of Roanoke was recognized as the Hire Education Outstanding Business Partner Success Story. Since 2022, SDI has transformed its relationship with Virginia Western’s Mechatronics program from a traditional training client into a strategic partnership that expands access to industry credentials and sustainable careers. “It was an easy decision,” said Steel Dynamics General Manager Jerry Adams, who added he is proud of the relationship his company has built with Virginia Western.
Caudle
A student whose life was transformed by the workforce credentials he earned at Laurel Ridge Community College was spotlighted as winner of the Outstanding Student Success Story award. Motivated by the birth of his son and supported by his wife – and with financial help from FastForward and G3 — Zachary Caudle learned valuable new skills and was recruited for an Information Technology post at VDOT. “You changed my life,” said Caudle, “and I’m grateful for that.” He’s now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cloud computing.
“As we celebrate today, let us remember that our collective efforts in workforce development have a profound impact—not only on the lives of our students but also on the economic vitality of our communities,” said Chancellor Doré. “By investing in education, we are investing in the future workforce that will drive innovation, lead industries, and contribute to the prosperity of our society.”
You can view and download photos from the 2025 Hire Education Conference, including the awards ceremony.
