“Given the resources, we will achieve and exceed our goals as the state’s premier workforce development agency, but those in control of our funding need to consider this as they allocate state resources.” Peggy Layne, the new Chair of the VCCS State Board says the next year will be a consequential time for Virginia’s Community Colleges. 
With six years of service on the State Board, Layne argues community colleges in Virginia have been under-funded by the state for too long. “If we’re going to properly serve our students and create a sustainable system that trains the workforce that Virginia employers need, then it’s time for the Commonwealth to make the necessary investments in our community colleges,” she said.
The Board will prepare its formal legislative proposals in the coming months.
The VCCS governing body welcomed several new Board members on July 20 at its first meeting of the new fiscal year. Four new board members appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin joined three other Youngkin appointees from last year on the 15-member panel.
Michel Zajur, Dr. Sasha Gong and Wiley Johnson (left to right) new members of the Virginia Community College Board. July 20, 2023
Seen here (l. to r.) new State Board members Michel Zajur of Midlothian, President and CEO, Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Sasha Gong of Falls Church, independent journalist, author, scholar, and filmmaker; and Wiley “Bif” Johnson, President and CEO of the Hurt & Proffitt civil engineering firm in Lynchburg. Dr. Gong and Mr. Zajur also had served previously on the VCCS State board, appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell. Not seen in this photo: new board member Mark Hourigan, a Richmond real estate developer and contractor, who participated in the meeting via Internet link.
Learn more about members of the VCCS State Board.
Also at the July 20 meeting of the VCCS State Board:
- Board members approved new tuition and mandatory fees for the upcoming academic year. The three-percent tuition hike for in-state students follows a five-year period during which the State Board was able to hold the line on tuition hikes.
- Received a report on the first biennium of work accomplished in connection with the VCCS Strategic Plan, Opportunity 2027, which was adopted in spring of 2021.
- Received the FY2023 Annual Report from the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education, which raises money to support student success at our colleges statewide.
