2023 Impact Report

2023 IMPACT

WHAT A YEAR!

It is my great pleasure to present to you a reflection on Reynolds Community College’s 50th anniversary celebrations held during the 2022-23 academic year.

When I turned 50 myself a few years ago, it was an interesting moment. My journey as the daughter of Chilean immigrants had led me to a college presidency. I could reflect on this with some pride, mingled with a touch of disbelief. Of course, my heart always swells when I think of my family. In fact, my husband Eric and I have happily (and barely!) survived a recent juggernaut of college graduations and first jobs. Turning 50 was a milestone, but the real excitement was in anticipating the adventures ahead for myself and the people I cherish. Forever Forward is shorthand for the surge of renewed focus and excitement on our campuses as Reynolds embarks on our next chapter. Visit us and you’ll see:

• New skilled trades labs at our Downtown Campus producing credential holders in HVAC, electricity, plumbing, and construction

• Future automotive technicians and welders poised to earn certifications at the new training facility on the Parham Road Campus

• New teaching methodologies in health care and cybersecurity transforming instruction through renovated lab spaces at the Downtown Campus

• Advising on all of our campuses to guide transfer students in their transition to many of the nation’s finest four-year institutions located right here in the Commonwealth

A book I’ve been enthusiastically recommending is The Great Upheaval: Higher Education’s Past, Present, and Uncertain Future. Reynolds was incredibly fortunate to have its author, Dr. Arthur Levine, join us on campus to ask a hard question: Can higher education adapt to a rapidly changing world?

In the pages ahead, you’ll see how Reynolds is determined to do so. From the power of philanthropy to help our current students succeed, to the alumni already making their mark, with your support we are moving Forever Forward to be Greater Richmond’s most trusted partner for education and a skilled workforce fostering a more just community through social and economic mobility.

LEFT Dr. Paula Pando, College President

BELOW Ken Ampy (left), CEO of Astyra and chair of the board for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia moderated an evening with Dr. Arthur Levine, author of ‘The Great Upheaval’.

REYNOLDS IS THE PLACE TO BE

LEFT First stop: Reynolds! Dr. David Doré spent his first morning as new Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System with the students, faculty, and staff of Reynolds. With an estimated 300,000 job openings across Virginia, the Commonwealth is taking a business-minded approach to accelerate training, credentialing, and hiring. In the pages ahead, you’ll see the investments Reynolds is making to close the skills gap in the Richmond region and help more of our students graduate and make a competitive start in the workforce.

TOP Yes, it was that kind of day. 50Fest at the Parham Road Campus! The event celebrating the college’s 50th anniversary was held in partnership with Henrico Recreation and Parks.

MIDDLE Henrico’s Finest with a fantastic set as Acoustic Blue.

BOTTOM Making the day even more special: President Pando with The Honorable Frank J. Thornton, Henrico Board of Supervisors, Monica Smith-Callahan, Henrico County Deputy Manager for Community Affairs and member of the Reynolds College Board, and of course, our Red Hawk mascot.

As Chief Nursing Officer/Chief Operating Officer at HCA Retreat Doctors’ Hospital, every day is unique for Nancy Boykin, but she has something in common with many community college students. “I started at a four-year school, but it was too far from home. I wasn’t ready for a big university right after high school.” Boykin calls the decision to attend Reynolds “the kickstart to everything.” After graduating in 1998, she accepted a position with Henrico Doctors’ Hospital and eventually brought her expertise to the classroom as an adjunct Nursing instructor with Reynolds.

Her continuing education is another shared trait with Reynolds alumni; Boykin has advanced to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). And, she continues to give back to the college, nurturing a strong partnership between Reynolds and Retreat Hospital to provide valuable clinical experiences for students, and speaking at nursing pinning ceremonies. “My son even went to Reynolds, which is extra special because he was at my own pinning ceremony.”

What advice would she give to the busy and scrub-clad students at the Downtown Campus? “Staying motivated in nursing school can sometimes be a challenge but keep pushing forward. You’re entering the most rewarding and important role in the healthcare industry. You can be the beacon of change and strive to achieve better outcomes for our patients and to the community we serve.”

FOREVER FORWARD: NANCY BOYKIN CLASS OF 1998

IMPACT

Funding from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Metropolitan Health Foundation, and other benefactors help Nursing students prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This exam is required to become a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). This philanthropic support allows students to sit for the test as soon as possible after graduation, supporting a strong first-time pass rate for Reynolds and getting more qualified RNs and LPNs into the clinical settings eager to hire them.

Nancy Boykin, Chief Nursing Officer/Chief Operating Officer at HCA Retreat Doctors’ Hospital

Dr. Dawn Fredrich, second from left, leads students through a simulation exercise with a hemorrhaging mother and newborn. The manikins are lifelike, with the ability to express pain, shed tears, and squeeze a hand.

DOWNTOWN TRANSFORMATION FOR REYNOLDS HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Reynolds is investing in a complete transformation of the Downtown Campus into a world-class center for the pursuit of industry credentials, technical certificates, and associate degrees, all leading to high-demand, high-wage careers. Employer partners in the health care industry report a lack of available talent in occupations requiring more than a high school education but less than a four-year degree. The sub-baccalaureate credentials offered through Reynolds are meeting this need.

With philanthropic support, major upgrades to health care instruction at Reynolds include Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) labs for Respiratory Therapy and Medical Laboratory Technology, which allow students to attend in-person, remotely, or asynchronously using recorded lectures. This flexible course design accelerates time to completion.

Newly designed simulation spaces include an apartment, hospital, and neo-natal hospital room. Students put theory into practice through simulated exercises and make errors that will not harm a real patient. A debriefing room allows students to reflect on their decision making and receive feedback. A new anatomage table and syndaver allows students to visualize anatomy as they would on a fresh cadaver and conduct dissection in 3D. With philanthropic support from the Herndon Foundation and others, Reynolds is launching a Surgical Technology program, bringing our health care education offerings to 14.

VCCS Chancellor Dr. David Doré leans in with interest as Dr. Ramzi Ockaili (left) and students demonstrate a dissection on the college’s new syndaver.

Mitch Haddon, President and Chief Executive Officer at ColonialWebb Contractors

Benefactor: The Haddon Family Endowed Scholarship at Reynolds

FOREVER FORWARD: MITCH HADDON CLASS OF 1980

Mitch Haddon had an early knack for business. “As a kid, it would’ve been best described as hustle. Holding down a paper route, cutting grass, shoveling snow; any opportunity to work and earn a dollar was welcome.” After high school and a freshman year at Virginia Tech, Haddon realized something important. “I knew it wasn’t for me. What attracted me to Reynolds was that it presented an avenue to pursue a degree while maintaining a full-time job that I needed and enjoyed. I was first interested in engineering, but found that Reynolds had an excellent HVAC program which blended theory with practical application.”

The Commonwealth desperately needs a workforce with the types of skills and on-the-job experience Haddon gained. At the college’s Downtown Campus, new skilled trades labs equipped for HVAC, electricity, plumbing, and construction are giving residents within and near the City limits greater access to training. Through FastForward, G3, and other tuition supports, students are receiving financial assistance to earn marketable skilled trades credentials, many within a matter of months.

Now the President and Chief Executive Officer at ColonialWebb Contractors, the former kid-with-hustle has this tip to share: “It’s about perseverance. It’s about keeping your eyes and ears open to find that opportunity that you’re really going to love.”

Mitch Haddon and Sabine Neumann represented Reynolds for the 2019 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The Haddon Family Endowed Scholarship assists students pursuing an occupational degree. Also pictured, Bess Littlefield (far left) and Dr. Paula Pando.

Kevin McDonnall’s (seated) Spring 2023 HVAC students were the first to use the new skilled trades lab at the Downtown Campus.

STUDENTS WITH THE WILL & THE SKILL

New labs have opened in the Downtown Campus Construction & Skilled Trades Hub. Flexible labs and additional classrooms are preparing students for industry credentials in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), electrical, plumbing, and construction.

A major gift by the Bob and Anna Lou Schaberg Foundation is not only supporting the purchase of new equipment for skilled trades at the Downtown Campus and welding at Parham Road, but making it possible for Reynolds to more effectively market skilled trades careers to middle and high school students (plus their parents and guardians) and adult learners seeking to earn a credential with immediate market place value.

MIDDLE Virginia Secretary of Labor, Bryan Slater, visits the new electricity lab at the Downtown Campus for an open house. CCWA’s new partnership with Independent Electrical Contractors Chesapeake (IECC) offers a fully accredited, electrical pre-apprenticeship program.

TOP Electrical student Carlos Scruggs (right) handles equipment under the careful instruction of Kenny Walker.

BOTTOM A major grant from Altria is funding plans for a new Career Exploration & Development Center at the Downtown Campus, with space for the City of Richmond’s Office of Community Wealth Building to more efficiently connect clients with valuable training and advising resources.

While Chef Ryan Manning smiles about it now, he admits the butchery class had him quaking in his chef’s coat as a young Culinary Arts student. “At the time, I was very afraid of lobster and cleaning lobster because you’re basically taking the whole thing apart. They’re living at the very beginning, and you’re having to go through the whole cooking process. A few of the other students were making fun of me.” Now a chef who has owned several restaurants and received accolades for his cuisine, Manning can have the last laugh.

For the college’s strolling supper, 50Feast, Chef Manning returned from Florida to Richmond and was blown away by what he saw at The Kitchens at Reynolds. “Having the opportunity this week to be in The Kitchens is absolutely amazing. The facility is out of this world.” Manning completed his Culinary Arts degree when the program was located at the Downtown Campus, but had heard about the changes to come. “They actually have a receiving dock now where they learn proper protocols before the product comes in, which is a great skill to have for the industry. Coming back has been pretty awesome, especially seeing some of my favorite chefs, like Jesse Miller, who I studied under when I graduated 11 years ago. The camaraderie I have with alumni is a connection I continue to value.”

Chef Manning spent two days prior to 50Feast working with students and planning the finale demonstration for the event. With students clamoring for advice from a professional with his chops, Manning left them with this: “Never say no. If it’s ethical to do it and you have the time, then always say yes. You never know if volunteering or working side-by-side with another chef or another person in your industry will set you up for your next career step.”

FOREVER FORWARD: CHEF RYAN MANNING

Orlando’s “Best Taco 2021” is one of the many accolades

Chef Manning received as a restaurant owner in Florida. Here, he demonstrates his guacamole recipe in the demonstration kitchen at 50Feast.

REYNOLDS 50FEAST

It was a delicious evening at The Kitchens at Reynolds. 50Feast showcased our amazing Culinary and Pastry Arts students and faculty, along with special guest alumnus Chef Ryan Manning.

It takes years to become a master tradesperson, which is why industry partners are eager to help Reynolds Community College students begin their journey fully equipped to succeed. In 2022, in partnership with Toyota North America, Reynolds became one of the only colleges on the East Coast to offer a Toyota T-TEN program. Students learn the fundamentals of automotive technology, but on Toyota vehicles. With certifications earned from Toyota, Lexus, and Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), T-TEN students who complete the two-year program are highly sought-after for hire.

To apply what they’re learning in the classroom and earn a paycheck, each T-TEN student has a required placement with a local dealership for a paid internship. One of the participating dealerships is Loyalty Automotive, which is providing three critical areas of support for their T-TEN students: a generous scholarship to cover tuition and books, a cost of living stipend, and paid trainee position. Tonia Haney, program head for Automotive, works with more than a dozen dealerships to provide onsite experience for T-TEN students, and it’s Haney’s goal to reproduce this work-based learning model for the general automotive credential and require all students to have a sponsoring shop in order to graduate.

“The tasks students are assigned at the dealership vary with their experience. Some are on maintenance teams and others are already doing repairs and diagnostics. The biggest evolution that I see from students is that their confidence grows as they get more experience,” Haney says. “With confidence, they’ll have a better chance of success.

REYNOLDS IS GOING PLACES

RIGHT Loyalty Automotive’s donation of a Prius gives students valuable experience servicing hybrid vehicles.

Standing from left: Keith Dennis, Dave Perno, Paula Pando, Kevin Shea, and Tonia Haney. T-TEN students Connor Leong and Conner Jackson have begun Year 2 of the T-TEN program.

BELOW A state-of-the-art facility for Automotive and Welding programs is under construction at the Parham Road Campus, with classes set to begin during the 2023-24 academic year.

IMPACT

A state-of-the-art Automotive and Welding facility will open at the Parham Road Campus, bringing those programs from Goochland and expanding access for students living closer to the city limits.

JOHANA AGUERO-FISCHER CLASS OF 2019

IMPACT

Nearly one-third of Reynolds students are the first in their families to attend college. In support of Reynolds’ 2021-2024 Strategic Direction, a cross-college strategy team is focused on removing barriers to access and student success. With a new advising model and enhanced usage of student success technology, the college community is better equipped to proactively support students. And alumni are critical to this work, providing generous donations to the JSRCC Educational Foundation for scholarships, loaner laptops, emergency assistance funding, and other instructional needs.

She knew it would be space. Whenever Johana Aguero-Fischer thought about the profession of her dreams, it was a career in space that propelled her, even when conditions on the ground were difficult. “I was a non-traditional student with a husband and three-year-old when I started at Reynolds.” The placement test she took was humbling. “I had to start with beginning mathematics because I had been out of school for so long. But, I had awesome professors who would meet with me before and after class.”

In the Engineering program at Reynolds, Johana was driven to find ways to apply what she was learning to experiences outside of the classroom. In 2016, she completed the NASA Community College Scholar program and was one of 15 students out of 400 applicants selected for an onsite competition at the Kennedy Space Center. “It was an emotional moment for me when I got there.”

As a transfer student at Virginia Tech, she earned a spot working on military aircraft at Naval Air Systems Command. With her bachelor’s degree completed in May, Johana is really about to fly in a new position with Boeing. She admits she’s had her moments battling imposter syndrome, but vowed to stay the course.

“At the beginning of my journey, we were struggling. I knew for my family’s sake I had to push through. I did not want this to follow my son through his lifetime, leaving him a legacy of struggle as well. I’m a first-generation college grad. To me, that means so much, because I was able to break that cycle. You’re the only one who stands in your own way. If you’re truly determined, you’ll find a way to work through the challenges. Think it. Say it. Do it.”

In the preceding pages, you’ve seen how philanthropic support is advancing the Reynolds mission and moving the college Forever Forward. Your support is just as critical to helping students meet their basic needs in the here and now:

HELPING IN THE HERE AND NOW

FOOD: In 12 months, students made more than 1,000 visits to the Reynolds Food Pantry. The JSRCC Educational Foundation serves as the 501(c)(3) nonprofit to partner with Feed More and receives financial donations to keep the pantry shelves stocked.

SHELTER: The cost of housing is a constant threat to the ability of students with low and moderate incomes to remain enrolled. The Educational Foundation works closely with our Student Support Services team to vet and administer requests for emergency assistance made possible through donations.

HOLISTIC SUPPORT: Is it a loaner laptop a student needs? Will a scholarship cover costs not met through financial aid? Has a student’s mental health affected their ability to succeed? The Educational Foundation meets students where they are to ensure they thrive both on and off campus.

At every level, your investment in the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Educational Foundation provides the resources students need to achieve their educational and career goals, providing a pathway to prosperity to all who seek to learn and grow.

THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN OUR VISION:

Reynolds will be Greater Richmond’s most trusted partner for education and a skilled workforce fostering a more just community through social and economic mobility.

Reynolds Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members at the Spring 2023 induction. Holistic support services help students reach their full potential.

2022-2023

Raised by Donor Type

2022-2023

Distribution

Unrestricted

Scholarships

*Includes realized bequests

†In FY23 the Foundation adopted ASC Topic 842, Leases, which requires the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a lease liability related to the property leased for the Kitchens at Reynolds under a 30 year lease. Full audited financial statements with additional disclosures are available by request.

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. 2022–2023 Board

of Directors

Chair | Nancy R. Belleman

Vice Chair | Neil S. Kessler

Secretary | Jean Perkinson Holman

Treasurer | Lea S. Rasmussen

Assistant Treasurer | Amelia M. Bradshaw

Past Chair | Patrick W. Farrell

Nancy R. Belleman

Community Volunteer

Amelia M. Bradshaw

Reynolds Community College

Robert E. Comet, Jr., AIA

Quinn Evans (Retired)

Taikein M. Cooper

Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation

Christopher P. Denton

Henrico Doctors’ Hospital

Thomas D. Epperson

InnerWill Leadership Institute

Patrick W. Farrell

Community Volunteer

J. Conrad Garcia

Williams Mullen

Kathy A. Graziano

Reynolds Community College Board

Jean Perkinson Holman

Virginia Credit Union (Retired)

Neil S. Kessler

Troutman Sanders (Retired)

Elizabeth S. Littlefield

Reynolds Community College

Jill A. McCormick

Jackson Foundation

Grant O. Neely

Neely Strategies LLC

Elias Neujahr

CHoR at VCU

Shane R. Olson

Dominion Energy

Paula P. Pando

Reynolds Community College

Celia A. Rafalko

Cary Street Partners

Lea S. Rasmussen

Warren Whitney

J. Sargeant Reynolds, Jr. Reynolds Development

Patricia L. Robertson

Bon Secours Virginia (Retired)

Andrew K. Sledd

Keiter

George E. Webster

EAB

Special Advisor

R. Roland Reynolds

Industry Little Hawk LLC

Directors Emeriti

Dimitri B. Georgiadis (1927–2012)

L. H. Ginn III

Lucylle F. Gordon (1920–2005)

Jeanette S. Lipman (1914–2017)

J. Sargeant Reynolds, Jr.

Patricia L. Robertson

REYNOLDS RESILIENCE

CONGRATULATIONS to the Class of 2023 and its 1,446 graduates ranging from age 17 to 73.

You join an incredible group of Reynolds Community College alumni who took their next big step with confidence and competence. For the last 50 years and the next, we are Forever Forward.

Khalil Watson, Class of 2023, embodies resilience. Seven years ago Khalil was a victim of gun violence that left him paralyzed. He persevered and graduated with honors, earning his associate degree in Social Science. Using a robotic exoskeleton, Khalil walked across the stage for his diploma and brought the crowd to its feet. Khalil plans to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University and enroll in the Bachelor of Social Work Program. For 50 years, students have persevered through late nights of study, early days for class, weekends at the library, and painstaking budgeting to reach this moment: Commencement.

“To commence” holds more than a suggestion of progress. It’s getting on with it. With an associate degree and solid grade point average, transfer to more than 30 colleges and universities in Virginia is guaranteed. With the average $20,000 saved by students starting their education at Reynolds, their path to a four-year degree is on firmer financial ground.

Earning a strong wage is the preferred next step for graduates with an occupational degree or short-term credential in hand. The need is so great for a skilled workforce in industries such as health care, skilled trades, and IT that job offers often are made and accepted before the actual graduation ceremony takes place.

reynolds.edu/foundation |

The blooms were in their full glory at the 2023 Garden Fest at the Goochland Campus. The yearly event brings together Reynolds Horticulture students and faculty, along with a community of plant enthusiasts and master gardeners.

To help the JSRCC Educational Foundation grow, please visit reynolds.edu/givenow or scan our QR code.