The Virginia Community College System Chancellor Dr. Glenn DuBois visited Reynolds to discuss the progress of the VCCS Reengineering Task Force. The taskforce was created in Fall 2009 to advance Virginia’s community colleges beyond the status quo, to serve more students and to serve them better. While Virginia’s community colleges are experiencing unprecedented enrollment growth, state support is declining at equally unprecedented rates. Dr. DuBois presented information outlining the need for reengineering efforts, including the call to save Virginia’s middle class and continue the mission of Virginia community colleges – to give everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened. In addition, reengineering efforts support Governor Bob McDonnell’s agenda for the Commonwealth to create a workforce with more postsecondary degrees.
“I think we all agree that 12th grade is no longer an acceptable finish line,” Dr. DuBois said.
Reynolds Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. David Loope followed Dr. DuBois’ presentation with information about how Reynolds is already implementing some of the taskforce’s suggested changes. This includes new developmental math modules, designed to help students determine the exact amount of developmental and credit-level math they need for their degrees. This new process will help students move through developmental courses quickly and successfully (read more about this at www.reynolds.edu/math). He also discussed recent solutions that have impacted student enrollment and retention, as well as the College’s ability to foster a culture of high performance.
Now in its second phase, the taskforce is focused on implementing the ideas articulated in its Fall 2010 report to the State Board for Community Colleges. Visit rethink.vccs.edu to learn more about the focus of the VCCS Reengineering Task Force.
