VCCS State Board Member Bruce Meyer (far left) joined the delegation from Tidewater Community College during a visit with State Sen. Angelia Williams Graves on January 31.
From across the commonwealth – often enduring lengthy road trips — Virginia’s Community Colleges sent delegations to visit state lawmakers during the 2024 General Assembly session. It was the first time since the pandemic that all 23 colleges participated in the legislative outreach. Students, faculty, and staff brought compelling personal stories of lives and careers that were boosted through new skills learned at our colleges. The goal of the advocacy was to ensure that state lawmakers understand our contributions to Virginia’s dynamic economy. During this same winter season, people in VCCS leadership also have been making the case for our colleges with lawmakers, community leaders, and opinion makers.
VCCS Chancellor David Doré joined delegations from Blue Ridge and Mountain Gateway Community Colleges on visits with state lawmakers, seen here with State Sen. Mark Obenshain on January 30.
“I’m grateful that every one of our colleges invested the time and energy to make these trips to Richmond,” said VCCS Chancellor David Doré. “Establishing personal connections was especially important with so many new lawmakers serving for the first time this year. These vital relationships take time and dedication to build and I’m confident the personal commitments by our colleges will help decision makers gain a better understanding of our needs and potential as the state looks to us to train more skilled workers.”
“I’m grateful I was able to join many of our college delegations as they met with lawmakers,” Doré added, “and it energizes me to hear the inspirational stories that our students tell about the obstacles they’re overcoming on the way to a better future.”
In addition to the college visits to the State Capitol, VCCS Student Fellows from across the state attended the system’s legislative reception January 23, making strong positive impressions on lawmakers and Governor Glen Youngkin, seen here.
Editor’s Note: We’ve collected photos from all our college visits to the 2024 General Assembly. You can view and download the images here.
System leaders also have been busy in recent weeks explaining the benefits of building up community college programs.
Layne
VCCS State Board Chair Peggy Layne authored an OpEd that was published in the Norfolk Virginian Pilot and the Newport News Daily Press on February 18, writing, in part, “To compete effectively with neighboring states such as North Carolina and Tennessee, which are making record investments in their community colleges, Virginia must make similar investments.” You can read her column here.
VCCS Chancellor David Doré and Virginia Chamber of Commerce Pres./CEO Barry DuVal penned an OpEd that appeared via the Cardinal News service on February 21, arguing, “Community colleges are among Virginia’s 
most efficient and successful economic development drivers. Investments in Virginia’s community colleges have consistently yielded positive returns for taxpayers and they will continue to do so well into the future.” Read the Cardinal News column here.
On February 7, Chancellor Doré headlined a webinar for the regional leadership organization RVA757 Connects, explaining the VCCS’s transformational plan to serve more learners from high school through adulthood will help meet Virginia’s need for a more skilled workforce.
And, in a broadcast segment that aired in Richmond on February 12, Chancellor Doré appeared on WTVR-TV’s “Virginia This Morning” show to explain how our colleges are working together to increase the talent pipeline for employers and workers statewide. You can view a recording of the segment.
“Nobody can make our case better than we can,” said Dr. Doré. “Proving our value will be a long-term task that will pay dividends to our colleges, our businesses and the people of Virginia.”
This year’s Virginia General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn March 9.
