Student Events

Let's get the word out to Reynolds students:

Apply Now for a Summer of STEM at JMU

The Summer REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates), is a three-year grant funded partnership between Reynolds and JMU that began in the summer of 2021. This coming summer of 2022 will be year two. This program is specifically for community college students and is open to a variety of disciplines.

The purpose of the program is to help community college students progress into STEM programs at four-year colleges and universities. It is open to all Reynolds STEM students (AS degrees in Engineering (all specialties), Science, Math, Computer Science, Math/Science Teacher Prep, and the AAS in Information Systems Technology). 

Students in other programs, like the General Studies AS, may also be eligible, even if they’re not in one of Reynolds STEM programs.

Students spend 10 weeks over the summer at JMU. They receive a $6000 stipend, free on-campus housing and food, as well as travel support. In addition to their research activities, they participate in other workshops, social activities, and field trips. Two Reynolds students participated last year and said they had an amazing experience. Even better, JMU faculty were very impressed with our students.

Applications for the program will be taken until March 13, 2022. Let's get the word out to Reynolds students now so they can start planning their summer. 

Contact Janet Adams, Professor of Biology, at jadams@reynolds.edu for more information.

Student Profile

Felicia Vaughn: Never Give Up!
Spotlight on REV Scholars

By Ambria Ingram / REV Coach

Reynolds Community College prides itself on being the college “where outstanding careers get started!” After meeting Felicia Vaughn, we can also add “where outstanding learners get to follow their career passion!”

“If you want to go back to school, don’t give up! Just keep pushing yourself and never give up,” says Reynolds student Felicia Vaughn. 

Felicia Vaughn, 25 years old is from Hopewell, Virginia. She is a graduate of Ultimate Medical Academy which is a private healthcare vocational school in Tampa, Florida. Felicia took online classes at Ultimate Medical Academy and earned her Associates degree in Health Care Management. However, she decided to switch paths and attend Reynolds Community College with plans to become a registered nurse. 

Felicia is grateful that Reynolds provided her financial assistance by paying for her tuition for one semester through the REV (Re-Employing Virginians) Program. The REV grant is offered through the State of Virginia to support Virginians in upskilling and pursuing new career paths due to their employment being impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The grant was needed because Felicia lost her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is currently taking pre-requisite classes for the nursing program at Reynolds with the REV grant funds. Her goal is to receive her Nursing Associate of Applied Science degree in spring 2024 as well as her Health Science I Career Studies Certificate in fall 2022. 

One of the reasons Felicia decided to become a registered nurse is having the experience of taking care of her grandmother. Felicia’s grandmother is one of her great supporters. Her grandmother constantly motivates and encourages her to push through the nursing pre-requisite classes at Reynolds. 

“My grandmother is excited that I am going to be the first nurse in the family, and she is rooting for me to get this nursing degree since I’m a first-generation college student, says Felicia.

Felicia’s grandmother who battles a health condition sees the potential in Felicia to become a great nurse. 

In addition to her grandmother’s support, Felicia admits her routine would not be possible without her professors accommodating her busy work schedule. 

“The professors communicate better with me than other community colleges I previously went to, and I have great professors! My professors give me due dates for assignments that I feel comfortable completing and they totally understand my situation” she noted. 

Felicia mentions the faculty members at Reynolds “answers all my questions and are helping me succeed at Reynolds, and the advisors and financial aid office, they are on it! Reynolds is my support system for sure!” 

While Felicia takes care of her grandmother, she has other responsibilities that she juggles in her life as well. Felicia is a full-time customer representative with Anthem Health Keepers. As a single mother of two children, Felicia enjoys being a mother, while also homeschooling her children due to the COVID-19 pandemic, working a full-time job, and taking classes at Reynolds is a full load for her. 

Her routine to accomplish all her responsibilities consist of her working from 9:00 am-5:30 pm every day and once she gets off from work, she starts doing her nursing schoolwork. Felicia’s children are homeschooled by her and her family support system. Felicia has Saturdays and Sundays off from her full-time job, allowing her to finish her nursing schoolwork. 

Currently. Felicia is inquiring about the G3 tuition assistance program at Reynolds that supports students financially to pursue a high in-demand career. The G3 grant makes up the difference between what federal or state financial aid pays for and the cost of tuition, fees, and books.

Moreover, Felicia recommends Reynolds Community College for future prospective students. “Yes, most definitely, Reynolds is a great school, and they have amazing staff people. My perspective on Reynolds is that the classes are great and are reasonable, and you can go at your own pace, or you can go on campus. They work around my work schedule and that is very important to me.” Felicia is excited to further her nursing career and she cannot wait to see how her degree will open the doors for more opportunities!

Fun Facts about Felicia: She is the youngest sibling of her two older brothers. She loves shopping at Bath and Body Works and enjoys eating her favorite sausage and potatoes dish from Olive Garden called the “Zuppa Toscana Soup.” She enjoys playing basketball and started playing the sport in seventh grade. Felicia has a French and Spanish background. In high school, she took French classes in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade and then added Spanish classes in ninth grade. Felicia’s language background does help her translate phone calls in French and Spanish during her full-time job at Anthem Health Keepers. 

CCWA

Network2Work = Job Ready

For several years CJ worked in marketing and billing in the Richmond area. When the pandemic took her job, she decided it was time to look for other, more solid employment opportunities.  

She had always been interested in the medical field, but wasn’t drawn to patient care. While exploring her options she found CCWA’s Medical Coding class, and it seemed like a good fit - especially since as a Virginia resident, her tuition would be covered, two-thirds through a FastForward grant, and the rest through another training grant.  

CJ took advantage of the program and enrolled in CCWA’s online Coding class. While in class, she connected with a CCWA Career Coach who helped her develop a resume, practice for interviews, and research careers in Medical Coding. 

CJ finished her class and immediately joined a study group to prepare for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential exam. Within months she passed her exam and earned her CPC credential.   

But CJ’s Career Coach didn’t leave her there. Her Coach continued to work with CJ, getting her enrolled in the new Network2Work job search platform and helping her identify potential employers. By completing her coding course, earning her CPC credential, and being in the N2W network, CJ’s status became “Job Ready” – exactly what employers are looking for.

CJ then chose a job track for a Patient Access Representative position with Bon Secours. She submitted her resume, and her “Job Ready” status drew the attention of the Bon Secours hiring manager. Two interviews later, CJ accepted the Patient Access Representative position. 

CCWA is opening doors for hundreds of Virginians through programs like N2W. 

What is Network2Work?

Network2WorkRVA connects skilled job seekers with employers looking to fill vital roles within their company. The program helps potential employees find a job that pays a living wage and leads to a fulfilling career. The N2W "connection" involves training, support and resources that put Virginians on a path to success.

"As the name implies," said Mary Jo Washko, Director of Coaching and Career Services for CCWA, "Network2Work (N2W) is a technology-based networking platform designed to connect job seekers to the training and support resources needed to be 'job ready' for the opportunities listed in our employer network."

A little history: When Reynolds Middle College moved to CCWA it became CareerStart. The program was then further transformed into CCWA's Coaching and Career Services department. 

"In addition to becoming coaching services," Mary Jo explained, "we also took on a new initiative called Network2Work. We no longer offer GED services, but through Network2Work, we connect students to GED providers and more than 150 other services in the community through our 35+ provider network." 

The program had a soft launch in June 2021, but is now available for students and the general public. For more information visit the N2W site. 

Faculty Profile

Stephanie Daniel
Associate Professor of Education and Early Childhood Development

Where did you grow up and what was it like?

I grew up here in Richmond, Virginia as an only child. Growing up, I was the neighborhood big sister which was a lot of fun. I would take the younger children in the neighborhood out to play at the community playground. I think that’s when I knew I would one day work with young children. 

What brought you to Reynolds?

A year after graduating high school, I enrolled in the Information systems technology program at Reynolds, while also working at a childcare center part-time. After my first semester, I changed my major to early childhood development, and I have been in the field ever since. 

You are a “New Face” at Reynolds. What were you doing before coming here?

Before becoming a full-time faculty member, I taught as an adjunct for 12 years. While also teaching as an adjunct, I worked with several different organizations and agencies, with CAPUP, formerly known as RCAP being my last job before joining Reynolds full-time.  

As an Associate Professor what are your greatest rewards of teaching? Greatest challenges? 

My greatest teaching reward is seeing learners excel in a field I am so passionate about. I love being that support system that helps learners make it to the end of the semester even when they thought they weren’t going to finish. In my 12 years of teaching, I can’t think of any challenges. I guess when you love what you do, you don’t really see the challenges that someone else may see.  

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

I love spending time with my family, shopping, playing basketball with my husband and son, and loving on my two beautiful grandkids. I have also added writing children’s books to things I like dong when I’m not working.  

What is your favorite book, movie, or TV series, and why?

My favorite book is the “Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfisher, my favorite movie, is “Look Who’s Talking,” and my favorite TV series is NCIS. I’m a big kid at heart and still love all things early childhood. The “Rainbow Fish” book teaches little ones how to be a friend, the movie “Look Who’s Talking,” is my all-time favorite because it focuses on the life of a little boy from conception to about one year of age. It confirms all of what we are teaching in our ECE classes. As for NCIS, I love trying to figure out who did the crime before the end of the show. Also, I love special agent Gibbs. I’m kind of sad that he isn’t on the current season, but it’s still a TV show I watch on Monday nights. 

If you won $100 million in the lottery what would you do with the money? 

The first thing I would do with $100 million is to tithe 10% and give an offering to my church, payoff all my student loans, provide scholarships for students who can’t afford to go to college so they don’t have student loans once they are done, develop and fund sites for the homeless, share a little with family and close friends, and invest some. I’m pretty sure there are other things I would do with the rest of the money, but it’s best to start with baby steps.

Employee Profile

Jessica Anderson
Student Outreach/Recruitment Specialist

Where did you grow up and what was it like?

Virginia is home. Dumfries, Virginia is where my heart is. I grew up near Quantico Marine Base, helping Grandpa (a very proud veteran) run a small convenience store on the base, in addition to a local ice cream truck and side newspaper delivery hustle! For as long as I can remember, my cup has always been filled with the invigorating energy of meeting new people. 

What brought you to this area, and to Reynolds?

A grant funded position (3PL) with the VCCS brought me to Richmond back in 2013. I eventually transitioned from the James Monroe Building to Armstrong High School where a gracious colleague helped re-connect my passion for serving high school students with post-secondary opportunities at Reynolds.

What were you doing before coming to Reynolds?

I have always worked in education. From 2014 - 2019, I was very fortunate to serve the students and families of Armstrong High School as the coordinator for the Freshman Academy Program; a partnership between the faith-based community and the East End. 

Tell us about your work here at the college. What is a typical day like for you?

I am the High School Outreach Specialist for Reynolds. In short, this means I get to do what I absolutely love - which is to bridge our young people with the resources that support their academic and professional aspirations! My day is always in motion - either on the road visiting schools or in conversation with colleagues to soak up new knowledge. I enjoy telling students, high school counselors and community partners about our wonderful college. 

What are your greatest challenges in your work? Greatest rewards?

The greatest challenge to my work is the "four year vs two year" conversation with prospective students. I value my four experience (GO HOKIES!) and subsequent time studying at the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!) and am always exploring new ways to convey to high school age students that community college is a very viable, attractive option. 

The greatest reward is showing up for a high school presentation to find a room full of students willing to listen and consider the option. 

You’re a busy lady. How do you keep all your tours and site visits organized?

I am still working on the organization part! Needless to say, time management is also one of my greatest challenges, but thanks to multiple calendars, colorful post-it notes, binder clips, boxes of materials in my vehicle and an awesome team of co-workers, we get the job done.  

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

I am open to anything that involves food and being outside (on a warm day!). When the stars align, my 13 year old son and I enjoy spending time with my two nephews (ages five and eight) and taking family trips with my mom, dad and two younger sisters. 

What is your favorite book, movie, or TV series, and why?

Coming to America, the original movie, is my all- time favorite. I also enjoy the idea of reading, curled up in a sun filled spot, but then again, that usually leads to a very rewarding nap!

If you won $100 million in the lottery what would you do with the money?

I would host a HUGE celebration on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean. I would invite everyone, including my entire extended family and all of the students I have ever worked with plus their families. There would be an unlimited taco bar, desserts, live music, and of course, fireworks!

Employee Profile

Employee Profile: Jami Peoples
Director, Business & Operations
Community College Workforce Alliance

Where did you grow up and what was it like?

I was born and raised in Florida. I spent the summers with my dad in a very rural town in Florida; around lots of cousins and my sisters.  

If you didn’t grow up in Richmond, what brought you here, and to CCWA?

The military brought me to Fort Lee, about 11 years ago.  A new job opportunity brought me to Reynolds.  

What were you doing before coming to CCWA?

I was in local government before joining Reynolds.  Worked as a Finance Manager for Chesterfield County and an Accounting Supervisor for Prince George County. 

How did you get involved in business and operations?

I majored in Accounting in college, with a minor in Business and Finance.  The business aspect is just a natural progression from college. The operations piece is fairly new.  

Tell us what your job involves.

All things finance for CCWA.  Budgets, monthly revenue and expenditures, projections, reconciliation of revenue, oversee billing and purchasing, grants management and inventory.  

What is your favorite movie, book, or TV series and why?

Favorite TV Series – A Million Little Things, I like how they deal with hard topics

Favorite Book – Cracked, Not Broken, Kevin Hines  

Do you have a favorite local restaurant or event, what is it and why do you like it?

Not necessarily a favorite local restaurant.  But if a restaurant sells a good eggs benedict for breakfast, you will probably find me there.

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

Spending time with my husband, who just recently came home after being stationed in Germany for three years, and traveling.

If you won $100 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?

Buy each of my kids a house, and setup trust accounts for their children.  Buy my mom and sisters a house, and pay off their debt.  Donations to several charities.  And, then travel the world. 

Alums

Jacob Dunn – Reynolds Grad & VCU Transfer Student
Excerpt from VCU News – October 19, 2021

Where did you go to school before VCU?

I graduated high school in 2019 and then went to Reynolds Community College. I did two years there and got my associate degree, then transferred to VCU. My last semester at Reynolds was this past spring, so I've had a very consecutive journey.

Why did you decide not to go directly to a four-year school?

I am studying English at VCU, and studying for the LSAT as well because I want to go to law school. So going to community college for two years and then transferring to VCU was the best way to save money, considering I want to go to graduate school.

Do you live at home while going to school?

Yeah, we live in the West End of Henrico, so it's not a terrible commute. … I don't really have an environment that I feel I would need to immediately get out of, which I understand why college, for some people, is sort of their exit ticket.

What have you learned as a transfer student?

I guess when people hear that you're transferring to a school, they're always like, “Oh, be careful. The credits might not transfer. I know somebody who transferred in, and they were a year behind all of a sudden.”

That is why I would suggest making sure you know where your credits fit before you transfer and making sure you pick a major early. I couldn't imagine transferring to VCU still undecided, although I understand why that is the case. Coming in and still being undecided, that would be tricky.

What resources did you utilize to help make the transition easier?

I was part of the Pathways to VCU program. It totally set me up for a smooth transfer. … There was an entire day at Reynolds dedicated to discussing stuff, and I met with an adviser. So, for me, I think when it came to my transfer to VCU, it was the easiest thing in the world.

What advice would you give someone who has transferred to VCU?

Get involved. I feel like that's what everybody says. But that honestly is probably the best advice that I could give because VCU is a very easy school to just show up and go to class and go home because it's in an urban environment. So I think that finding extra-curriculars and getting to know people in your classes. Make conversation with people.

How has the school year been so far?

I think my whole college experience has been different with COVID-19. I think that we were only going in person for my first semester at Reynolds. But I think that one of the things that I learned is that there is such a different level of academics at VCU. The caliber of the professors, for sure. I mean, they're all very knowledgeable in their field. That's one thing that I've really appreciated, depending on the class, you can see that the professor is clearly into what they're talking about. Whereas at the community college, and also at the 100 and 200 level at VCU, it's a little bit more general.

 

Employee Profile

Employee Profile: William Alexander

Web Development Manager - Marketing

Where did you grow up? What was it like?

I grew up in the small foothills town of Stuart, Virginia. My family owned a small grocery store, Alexander's Food Market, and I spent my childhood riding my bicycle to grocery store, or to the town swimming pool, or playing Legend of Zelda and other great video games of the mid-1980s.

What brought you to Reynolds?

I live and work remotely from Roanoke, Virginia where I've lived for over 20 years. I love the Roanoke area and plan to live in this area for the rest of my life. My parents lived in Richmond for a period of time while my father was a student at the University of Richmond. 

I was a fulltime faculty member at Virginia Western Community College for 15 years, and the Web Development Manager position at Reynolds was a great opportunity for me to get back into the VCCS, in a different way. 

What were you doing before coming to Reynolds?

Before coming to Reynolds I was the website manager for Sweet Briar College in Amherst, Virginia. 

Tell us about what you will be doing at Reynolds?

I'm the new Web Development Manager. I'll be keeping the website in tip-top shape and working with many colleagues to keep it updated.

What got you interested in computers and information technology?

I began my career as a graphic designer, inspired initially by the journalism class I took in high school, where we designed and produced the school newspaper. I studied art in college, with a concentration in graphic design, and worked professionally as a print graphic designer for seven years before teaching design for 15 years at VWCC. Along the way, I taught myself web design and development to broaden my professional skillset. Web Development gradually overtook print design as my main professional focus. That pathway of design, development, and teaching prepared me perfectly for the job of Web Development Manager at Reynolds Community College. 

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

My life outside of work is filled with time with my wife Amber, my 14 year old daughter Aidyn, and my 12 year old son Noah. We hike, camp out, kayak, throw the frisbee with our Chocolate Lab Oscar, and enjoy the kids' participation in baseball, soccer, volleyball and softball. We are also Boston Red Sox fans and enjoy Salem Red Sox games in Roanoke.

What is your favorite book, movie, or tv series, and why?

There are too many answers to this question - but for the last few months I have been binge watching Ken Burns documentaries on PBS. I owe my love of baseball to his "Baseball" documentary, which I recently watched for the third time! I also have recently finished "The War," "Hemmingway," and "Muhammad Ali." Ken Burns is documenting and telling the story of America in an incredibly deep and powerful way, and all of his films weave together to reflect back to us what it means to be an American. They truly are some of the best storytelling ever made.  

If you won $100 million in the Virginia Lottery what would you do with the money?

1) Pay most of it in taxes to support great public services that we all benefit from, like community colleges! 2) Pay off every piece of debt I could find for anyone remotely close to me. 3) Buy a very specific piece of property in Patrick County, Virginia - 80 acres with a cabin and a pond. 4) Build a small neighborhood market and deli in my Roanoke neighborhood for my family to operate. 5) Buy a 1967 convertible Chevy Camaro! 6) Retire in comfort.

Student Profile

VJ Kumar: Learning Has No Age Limit

Spotlight on REV/G3 Scholars

by Ambria Ingram / Reynolds REV Coach

Reynolds Community College prides itself on being the college “where outstanding careers get started!”  After meeting VJ Kumar, we can also add “where outstanding learners make a difference!”

“Don’t let your age stop you from going to school.” VJ Kumar, Lifelong Learner.

VJ, a native of Dubai, India, is currently a student at Reynolds Community College and a vocal advocate of education at all levels. VJ is a student in the Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate program for Fall 2021 and excelling in his classes. He told me that pursuing a college education was delayed due to family responsibilities, and assisting in building a start-up company in Dubai. Even so, at age 67, he did not think it was too late to pursue his college dreams.

As he told me during our conversation: 

“It doesn’t matter what age you are (when) going back to school, and it doesn’t matter what challenges you are facing (when) going back to school. You can still pursue your dreams.” 

VJ believes that no matter if you have a career or job, “it’s imperative to continue with your education to help you diversify in other high-demand career areas.”

He has been in the financial consulting business for 17 years with other business endeavors. He is an entrepreneur operating an independent financial consultancy practice. His job entails helping individuals with retirement plans, annuities, life and health insurance, long-term care coverage, and education savings plans to ensure his clients’ needs and goals are within their budget. 

VJ is always looking for ways to diversify his skills and knowledge. While working as a financial consultant, he researched high-demand jobs and realized Cyber Security jobs would continue to increase, meaning qualified professionals would be needed. This realization led him to pursue Cyber Security classes in hacking, networking, and troubleshooting. Having this knowledge will enable him to be prepared if his company faces a cyberattack and gives him options with a different career if he chooses. 

He took a break from his Cyber Security studies to work towards his Pharmacy Technician Career Studies Certificate. He wants to understand how medications could impact clients he works within his insurance business. “Acquiring the pharmacy technician training and certification also adds another career option,” VJ said. He also feels this specialized knowledge gives him an edge over other insurance professionals in his field to understand direct knowledge of many of the medications and conditions his present and potential clients face.

VJ describes a college education as not a way to secure a job but also as “an opportunity to acquire different skills to help the career you are currently in and the one you would like to pursue.”

When his wife lost her travel agent job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, VJ said it was confirmation for him to keep having the mindset of continuing his education. “That is why I always said diversification,” he added. 

VJ is confident that Reynolds Community College is the right college to help achieve his ambitions and goals. He had high praise for the Reynolds staff and faculty. “I love that Reynolds’ professors and faculty members are proactive for all students as well as supporting students in their college education by helping them understand the course materials and answering any questions that students may have.”

VJ received awarded grants to help support him in his academic endeavors through REV (Re-Employing Virginians) Program and the G3 Program (Get Skilled, Get A Job, Get Ahead). Both are grants offered through the State of Virginia to support Virginians in upskilling and pursuing new career paths through providing additional resources. Both grant programs helped him attend his classes and get needed tuition and book materials. Also, both grant programs helped him save remaining monies to aid in living expenses. He received one semester of tuition paid for the REV program, and he received G3 grant aid to cover tuition and book/supplies in the Reynolds Bookstore for the 2021-2022 Academic Year.

 

His advice to others who are going back to school is to “listen to your professors’ lectures” and utilize the academic resources available at the college. He encourages students to exercise time management with getting assignments completed. His consistent focus on academics has helped him obtain a 4.0-grade point average. “If students put in the required effort towards their academics, then they can achieve a high GPA, which will go a long way to carving their path.” 

 “The most important piece of advice I tell adult learners is to not look at school as just getting a job because you can get a job anywhere. Instead, look at attending school as pursuing the dreams and passions you want out of life to become successful”, was VJ’s advice.

VJ is adamant that each person gets to decide how they want to get through life and puts it this way: “Gaining knowledge and going back to school will help with your ego. If you keep the same drive throughout your life, you can keep going.”

Fun facts about VJ: He is the oldest of his brother and two sisters. He has a wife, a son, and daughter. His father was a first-generation student who inspired him to pursue a college education. His hobbies are playing soccer, table tennis, and chess. He enjoys listening to all genres of music, dancing with his daughter, traveling to the mountains, and looks forward to one day becoming a grandfather.

Faculty Profile

Sara Skeens Named Academic Innovator of the Year

Adjunct Instructor in Reynolds School of Business and Industrial Trades, Sara Skeens, was named Academic Innovator of the Year by Relativity, an industry preferred software for eDiscovery. Sara earned this distinction for her creative approach to using technology in the classroom. Sara shared the following details about her work. 

Every year at their annual conference Relativity holds an award ceremony for several categories. The Academic Innovator of the Year award recognizes an educator that uses the Relativity Academic program in their classroom and teaches the subject of legal technology in new and innovative ways. 

One of the innovative aspects I add to my class that I think is incredibly important especially in a virtual environment is finding ways to make technical concepts hands on. Technical concepts can be broken down into physical activities, similar to what happens within the tech itself. Essentially removing the black box. For instance, to demonstrate data variety I use shapes to represent different data types. They are placed in piles (different data sources) and then we have our processing software which is a cube with only a few shapes cut into it. After the shapes go into that box they all come out as the same shape to show how we normalize the data to load into our review software which is another box with a single shape cut out. This shows that we have to either 1. Normalize our data to work in processing and review OR 2. Adapt our software to be able to accept new shape (I do this by cutting new shaped into the box). 

 

This is something that students can easily understand by watching or can create their own shapes out of clay or paper and walk them selves through the process. This provides not only a reading and and verbal explanation, but also a visual and hands on. I make sure all technical concepts are broken down this way to the bare minimum to help students really relate to and understand the inner workings. Rather than just saying we collect or process the data, I break down the internal gears and steps that happen inside the black box. 

Additionally, having a consistent real world example gives students the ability to follow along the entire process. I provide sample case stories based on real life that we can follow throughout the class so students can relate each step back to that case and follow along throughout the semester in real time. I have created sample documents, pleadings, conference calls etc. around that story and I am currently expanding the data set so we can load it to Relativity and have a full case experience.

It is important to provide career guidance and opportunities. As well as skills around mindset and critical thinking that can be used in the classroom and outside as they pursue a career in what they are learning. I run a module just on careers based in eDiscovery. I bring in folks with lots of different backgrounds to talk about how they got into the field and navigated their career. First giving them a networking opportunity and a chance to see how different experiences can be and to have multiple perspectives. Throughout the semester I look at their resumes and send job opportunities and take the time to work through how to write their resume to their careers goals and help them through interviewing and networking. I have been able to place multiple students in eDiscovery positions each semester through this career module and by providing support through out the semester. I have found that focusing on some of those skills such as mindset and critical thinking has help students to have more confidence and a positive attitude towards the challenge of career searching. I work with recruiters to have a channel of opportunities for entry level jobs. 

Additionally, I have founded the Legal Technology Educators Community, a group of legal educators coming together to share ideas, collaborate on working projects to create sample data, resources and educative materials to share. Moreover, I am creating educational videos on YouTube and I have an educational podcasts where I speak with experts in the field. 

Employee Profile

Martha Harper
Student Support & Great Expectations Success Coach

Where did you grow up and what was it like?

I grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia. We moved there from Tampa, Florida when I was eight years old, it was 1972. My father joined the FBI just before I was born and after he finished a sociology Masters at USF, the bureau transferred him to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He was a founding member of the Behavioral Science unit that has been explored in Mind Hunter and other shows. 

When we moved, my younger brother entered Kindergarten and my mother went to work with gusto as a 2nd Wave Feminist, first as a secretary for the City Manager, and then as the first female employee at the water filtration plant. She was also the first female Class A water plant operator in the state of Virginia and eventually Superintendent of Waterworks. 

I was the fifth out of six kids, three boys and three girls. We lived right in the city next to James Monroe High School and the hospital. I say all this to show that we, my little brother and I, were just neglected enough to experience a world of our making. We wandered all over that town on our bikes from the campus of Mary Washington College to the Rappahannock River and from Motts Run to Alum Springs Park. We just had to be home by the time the streetlights came on. It was the kind of childhood depicted in southern movies full of racism and color lines and negotiating that world. We were great observers of all that went on, and developed very early into crusaders for justice. Much of what we saw as little kids was obviously wrong yet we had to process how so many adults in our lives seemed just fine with it. Despite that, I loved growing up in Fredericksburg, but when I was eighteen, I was ready to go to college for sure. I went to Richmond for VCU. 

So, college brought you to Richmond? 

I have lived in Richmond now since 1982. The punk scene was in full swing and I discovered rock and roll nights and big city lights to be very dazzling. As I said, my mother was deep in her career, and don’t get me started on how J. Edgar Hoover abused the lives of agents with the craziest work hours ever. By 1975, my parents were divorced and my Dad was shortly thereafter remarried and transferred to Omaha, Nebraska. There were lots of issues with staying in college, including my own ennui about the meaning of it all and I dropped out. Fast forward twenty years with a whole lot of Richmond engagement in there, and my own marriage and divorce, with my wonderful daughter born in 1990. I returned to school in 2004 to earn a BA in history, and religious studies and then a Masters of Education in Counselor Education: College Student Development, all from VCU. 

Before coming to Reynolds you were with VCU. What was your job there? 

My last job at VCU was Senior Academic Advisor for Interdisciplinary Studies. That’s a really great program for students who want a taste of several disciplines and extremely marketable to employers. I got to help them put together a declaration and ask the university for permission to study that plan. We were always able to do it in the credits they had left of college too, so always the shortest time to degree completion when switching majors or transferring and finding out you may have to exceed 120 credits to graduate. Before that, I was at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee from 2013 to 2017 coordinating a center for nontraditional students, though I hate that term, and helping adults, especially students with children stay in school. Like Reynolds, Austin Peay was an all access school, and it was also located outside Fort Campbell, so we were full up with adult and military affiliated students. Before that, I was at VCU earning those degrees I talked about, and managing Off Campus Student Services from 2004 to 2012.

Tell us about the Great Expectations Program and your work as a Coach? 

Well to be honest, I can’t yet. I can tell you what the mission is and how I plan to fulfill that, but as of now I am just getting started so expect to hear lots of stuff from me. Great Expectations is a VCCS program on many Community College campuses, though not all of them, that serves students who are currently, or formerly were in foster care. The statistics on young adults failure to launch after foster care are appalling and a Great Expectations Coach is there to help those interested in higher education, but have no parent or person telling them just how to do it. I am also responsible for Single Stop, like everyone else in my department, serving not just students who have experienced foster care but all students at Reynolds. 

What is your favorite book, movie, or TV series, and why? 

Like most people, that changes all the time. So today Thursday, September 30th, I am reading and enjoying The Virginia State Penitentiary, A Notorious History by Dale Brumflield, and a work of historical fiction, Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. You can see my bent toward history topics. Favorite movie will probably always be It’s a Wonderful Life despite how dated it is, the message still applies and still makes me cry every time George finds Suzu’s petals in his watch pocket. 

What do you like to do outside of work? 

Walk and read and meet friends for a cold beer. Travel when I can find the time or the money, but I like short local touring also. My daughter lives in New Orleans so I go at least once a year and try for twice, I love that broken city too. Probably for none of the reasons tourists go there. But I could talk to anyone who stops me about the cool places to hit off the beaten track.  

Do you have a favorite local restaurant or event? What is it, and why is it special? 

I will always love the Richmond Folk Festival. I started going and volunteering when it first started as the National Folk Festival. My daughter and I did that every year together till she left for college, so it brings back lots of fond memories. I look forward to seeing how it will be this year.  

If you won $100 million in the Virginia Lottery, what would you do with the money? 

First secure my family’s financial needs. Then, and this is a fantasy I have had a long time. I would set up a scholarship by buying a house on Monument Avenue, one of those big fourteen room jobs and provide that for low income first generation students who want to study history. Complete with a chef and tutor on premises. I imagine teaching them to democratically run the house, steward the endowment, hold events etc. all while going to college, and funny I have had this idea long before George Floyd died and Monument Avenue became a focal point for demonstrating structural racism in this country. 

When I was finishing my history degree, I pictured a house full of diverse students coming and going among the residents and knowing far more about the problem with those statues and the history of them than the people who already lived there. That was my former approach to the monuments, mostly because I lacked the creative thinking to see them just come down! With $100 Million, I would expand that scholarship to a second house maybe in Jackson Ward and house students with children in a big communal house providing that essential daycare and security while they could study full time any major!  

Faculty Profile

Beverly Davis

In September 2021 Reynolds Associate Professor, Marketing, Business and Management, Beverly Davis was honored at the Ruth Cole Harris Annual Leadership Institute Luncheon. Her award profile - shown at the end of this post - tells the story of her accomplishments and why she was honored.

The Ruth Coles Harris Leadership Institute is part of Virginia Union University's Sydney Lewis School of Business. The Institute offers students a lecture series, and workshops and seminars for the community.  

The Ruth Coles Harris Leadership Institute offers leadership lecture series to students, workshops for professionals, certificate programs for professionals, and seminars to the community at-large. It is intended to deepen participants understanding of leadership, administration, business, entrepreneurship, and to strengthen leadership skills which embrace service to others. “The Leadership Institute is a special offering for our students so they can learn from accomplished professionals first hand,” said Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, President & CEO of Virginia Union University.

Beverly recently took time to field a few interview questions about her award and her work.

You were recently honored at the Ruth Coles Harris Leadership Institute luncheon. Please tell us about the Institute and the honor you are receiving. 

With the leadership award, the Institute honors people who are making a difference both professionally and in the community. The Ruth Coles Harris Leadership Institute shines a light on individuals who are wonderful role models for VUU students.

How are you affiliated with VUU and the Institute?

I received my Bachelor’s degree in Business from VUU in 1973.  I was nominated by Dr. Ruth Coles Harris for this award.  

How long have you been an Associate Professor at Reynolds? And tell us about the courses you teach.

I was hired as an adjunct faculty the summer of 1973 and offered a full-time position that Fall semester. I have been employed at Reynolds since that time. I teach classes in marketing, business and retail.

In addition to being an Associate Professor you are COO of Davis Brothers Construction Company. Please tell about your role in the company. 

I serve on the Board of Directors for DBCC and advise my husband and board members on marketing and business practices.  My son and two daughters have VP positions and oversee the day to day operations of the business. Davis Brothers Construction Company, Inc. is a multi-generational family business founded in 1908.

Please tell us about Dr. Ruth Coles Harris?

While attending VUU I was a work-study student for Dr. Harris. I worked for her during the four years I was enrolled at the college. She was Dean of the School of Business. She was an outstanding mentor and role model. Dr. Harris guided me with her knowledge, experience, and expertise. She always reminded me to keep an open mind, to have patience, tenacity, and to have a vision. 

She wanted me to always see the big picture and to understand what it takes for me to achieve my goals.

She stressed to me the importance of developing leadership skills and emphasized that I should always be my own person. 

You are a very busy woman. What do you like to do outside of your work?  

I am very active in politics and in community service organizations.  And of course, I enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren.

 

Advising

Welcome to your new roles!

Dr. Ronda Bond, Elizabeth Roerink, and Ashley King have moved into their new G3 Advising Coordinator Roles!

G3 Advising Coordinators provide holistic advising support to students in G3 programs. They also provide supportive leadership in a content area and serve as a resource to assist individuals in overcoming non-academic barriers that may affect their ability to complete their educational goals successfully.

Dr. Ronda Bond - G3 Advising Coordinator of First-Year Success PRC & DTC

Ronda Bond is a native of Tennessee and has served in higher education since 2001. Until joining Reynolds in 2019 as a part-time Early Alert Coach, much of her career had been with 4-year institutions. Ronda has a wealth of experience that ranges from Admission, Enrollment, Retention, and Advising. During the pandemic, and defended her dissertation: Developing a Sustainable Model for Impactful Academic Advising, earned her Doctor of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University,  and was hired as a Career Advisor for Advising Services.  Ronda is a proud alumnus of the University of Memphis (Go Tigers), an expert Golden Girls Fan, and a wife and mother to the best Marvel-loving humans.

Elizabeth H. Roerink, M.S - Advising Coordinator for Career Services PRC & DTC

Elizabeth Roerink served for five years as a Reynolds Career coach.  Before serving as a career coach, she was a high school counselor and admissions counselor at The University of Memphis. Elizabeth earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from James Madison University and her Master’s degree in Counseling & Personnel Services from The University of Memphis. Elizabeth lives in Hanover County with her husband, two sons, and two rescue dogs who rule the house. She is passionate about working with all students and assisting them in reaching their academic and career goals. She is eager to serve Reynolds students in her new role. 

Ashley King - Advising Coordinator for the Parham Road (PRC) Campus

Ashley King is a graduate of Norfolk State University; she has achieved a B.A. in Sociology and minored in Criminal Justice. After graduating college, Ashley launched her career at Reynolds, a loyal employee for the past eight years. While working in Higher Education, Ashley actively engaged in many committees, completed a Career Coaching certification through the Virginia Community College System, and serves as a Women in Search of Excellence Mentor (WISE). Ashley lives in Hanover with her husband and bonus son. She is excited about her new role at Reynolds and cannot wait to collaborate with other offices to assist students with reaching their goals. 

Horticulture

from The Goochland Gazette / September 16, 2021

 

Faculty Profile

Meet Michael Beamer
Co-Program Head & Assistant Professor | ESL 
Reynolds Community College | School of Humanities & Social Sciences 

Michael Beamer doesn't just dream about travel. He travels. He has travelled and lived all around the US, the UK, and Japan before settling here in Mechanicsville and teaching ESL at Reynolds.

Michael came to Reynolds in January 2021 at the height of the pandemic. He had taught online in grad school, but the spring semester would be his first fully online experience.

But, like any world traveler, Michael is flexible, and he adapted quickly and easily to his changing scenario. He's ready for the fall semester, and he and his family are looking forward to more adventures in the Richmond area as life moves in the direction of normal.

You are a native of Bethlehem, PA. What was it like growing up there?

Growing up in Bethlehem was pretty cool. Definitely not as bad as Billy Joel made the area out to be ("Allentown" is about the general area, as there were no steel mills in Allentown--only in Bethlehem😊). My family was in the suburbs and it actually was a pretty idyllic life looking back on it (and comparing it to other places I've lived). By the time Bethlehem Steel shut down, a lot of other industries had moved into the area so the economy was fine. Also, there's a great 10-day music festival in the area that's been going on since 1984.

How did you get from Bethlehem to JMU where you earned your BA in English? 

My oldest brother went to Bridgewater and the middle brother went to William and Mary. I got used to coming to Virginia and I liked JMU (it was also the quickest application of all the schools I applied to--no essay!). I did get into University of Richmond as well, but it was a bit expensive. I didn't want to go to Penn State as it seemed like half my high school went there. Only one other student from my class went to JMU and I don't remember even seeing her once. I guess I wanted to leave the nest as much as possible.

Please tell us a little about your background and travels.

When I was younger, my family would take vacations to different places like Assateague and Chincoteague Islands, Maine, Canada, South Carolina, etc. So I started to enjoy traveling and learning about new places, food and people from a young age (although I was not the most adventurous eater until I got to college). Also, when I was very young, my oldest brother got me interested in The Beatles, which in turn got me interested in England. I can still do several British accents fairly well. Anyway, when I was at JMU I was accepted to the Semester Abroad program and went to London, which turned out to be one of those life transforming experiences. I absolutely loved my time there and it was then that the international travel bug had bit me. After graduation, I dreamed of living and teaching in Japan (see below), but I had to put it off for various reasons. However, in 1997 I left for Japan to teach in an English conversation school for two years. At the end of that time, I wasn't sure of what I was going to do, but the reactions from my students at my going away party overwhelmed me, and I realized I must have done something right, so I decided to go to grad school for teaching ESL. I was accepted to three grad schools, but I chose University of Hawaii because it was (is) the best program, it gave me the best financial deal, and I got to go study in Hawaii (Duh! What would you choose?). I was there for almost three years, but I had a dream to teach in higher ed in Japan, so I was able to get a job at Nihon University (which at the time had about five people from UH) in Shizuoka. On a good day, you could see Mt. Fuji from the school. They limited international faculty to three-year contracts, so after that I went to a small two-year college in Yokohama. I was there for four years and during that time I met my yet-to-become wife and we had a long-distance relationship between Osaka and Yokohama. I had got a job in Osaka and had planned to move there when I saw an ad for a job as Director of the Intensive English Program in at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. I probably wouldn't have looked much further, but my parents had actually gone there and met there, so I knew about it. I asked my then fiancé if she thought it was OK if I applied to a job in the US. She said yes, but later told me she thought I wouldn't get it! After I did get the job, we had to get married very quickly as a spouse visa is much easier to get than a fiancé visa. While at Juniata, my wife took ESL classes in my program (but not my classes as the other students might have wondered how she really got her A, hehe) and eventually earned her BS in Educational Studies (in between, our son was born!). She had agreed to move to the US and support me to further my career. After her graduation, she had received a job offer in California, so I wanted to support her. Luckily, I was able to find the job at USC after we arrived in CA. While we were able to save money (even with the outrageous rent), but we both eventually realized we are east coast people. So when I saw the ad for the job at Reynolds I applied right away. We have since bought a house in Mechanicsville, have two young puppies, Cody is now seven and starting second grade!

You have lived in Japan, in the US in Hawaii, California, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and in the UK. What is your favorite place to live and why?

So far, Hawaii has been my favorite place to live, even though I was living on a Graduate Assistant's pay. It is very cosmopolitan, which I really enjoy. The people are very friendly, the food is great, and the natural features are incredible. There's actually a lot you can do there that doesn't cost a lot (as long as you're willing to live in a smaller place than you would be able to get for the same price as in Richmond). It's not perfect, by a long shot, but it was a great place to live. I would absolutely love to retire there as it would fit my wife like a glove with all the Asian food and culture.

You’ve been working in ESL for about 25 years. What got you interested in ESL?

When I was an undergrad at JMU, I had applied to join the Peace Corps and went to an informational meeting. I wasn't accepted because I didn't have a teaching degree/experience and the recruiter told me they had English teachers coming out their ears. He told me I should study ESL and look into getting experience in the field. I took a class to finish my last three credits at JMU in an ESL teaching methodology course and got interested in it. I was hired by Eastern Mennonite College (in the same town as JMU) to teach two ESL classes. Almost all the students were Japanese and that got me interested in teaching in Japan. I wonder if I could get into the Peace Corps today?!

How have you seen the study of ESL change over 25 years?

That's an interesting question. There's been a (good) shift in using more and more advancing/emerging technology in and out of the classroom. Some people (students and teachers) are reluctant to use it, which is a shame, in my opinion, because they could expand either their learning opportunities for students or their teaching repertoires for the instructors. Of course, as with any field, weeding through so many websites/programs to find the gems can be daunting, so I understand some of the reluctance. Also, institutions must be willing to support instructors in terms of using technology, both in terms of hardware/software and training. 

What was the most challenging aspect of teaching ESL online during the pandemic? What did you find most rewarding?

I was a full-time administrator in California, so I wasn't teaching there. My first online teaching experience during the pandemic (I had taught online during grad school) was in Spring 2021 for Reynolds. I think the most difficult thing was I had several lower-level classes and I think many of those students didn't have as much exposure to technology previously, so that limited what I could do in the classes as far as fully utilizing the available technology. I admire them greatly for working their jobs, raising kids, and taking classes (often at the same time) to learn English. I also felt disjointed from them as they were "boxes" on my computer. I hope they come by my office and say hello (a few have).  The most rewarding thing is basically the same as F2F classes--seeing your students achieve their goals, realizing they can do something they thought they couldn't, and seeing those "light bulb" moments. 

You, your wife Megumi, and your seven year old son were looking forward to exploring Richmond when you moved here. In spite of covid restrictions, have you been able to discover some interesting spots around Richmond?

We've seen some of Richmond, but we'll be happy to see more. We did enjoy going to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm in CA, so we got passes for King's Dominion (which is owned by the same company as Knott's Berry Farm). We're looking forward to getting our son involved in some organized activities like sports so we can meet more people through that. Of course, my wife has found the Asian supermarkets and just found one with what she considers the best kimchi she's had in a while, so that makes her happy. I have been golfing a couple times. I still play horribly, but I enjoy it. Cody has made a lot of new friends in our new neighborhood and we're sure he'll make more when he starts school in person.

Student Profile

 We find our way when we least expect it . . .

Looking for deaf man with two senior Dachshunds. Hi all, A couple of months ago I met a deaf man at Barker Field. He looked to be about 50-60. He was there with 2 senior long-haired Dachshunds (they were 18 years old). We were able to communicate a little bit by drawing in the dirt, but you can imagine it was frustrating to not be able to talk about anything. I've always loved the idea of learning ASL, and meeting this man was just the thing I needed, during these pandemic days, to do it. I'm 60 now, but I've enrolled in Reynolds Community College to get a certificate in ASL. I start next week with 2 classes and hope to be done in a couple of years. If any of you know this man, please thank him for me. He was the person I needed to meet at that moment, at that place, to turn my 60s into a new exiting time. Take care, Susan

This post was found by Cory Walter, Administrative Support in Dr. Pando’s office. The post was on Cory's Neighborhood site. 

Cory was so moved by the message that she took her own time to track down the poster to share her story with Reynolds faculty and staff. 

The “Susan” who posted on Cory's Neighborhood site is Susan Sabo, and she is now a few weeks into her studies at Reynolds.

Susan Sabo wanted to know more about the deaf man she met. In turn, we want to know more about her. Get to know Susan in this blog profile . . . . 

Susan, where did you grow up and what was it like?

I grew up in Los Angeles and lived there most of my life. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I started my career without college, as a secretary and receptionist. I've been an editor, writer, publisher, and now a photographer. I’m also a lifelong dog person and was a single mom at age 20. My body says I’m 60, but my brain says I’m 19, so I’m going with that. I dress like a 15 year old boy. I may age, but I will never grow up :) 

What brought you to Reynolds?

I was looking for a comprehensive ASL course, not just an app or a couple of basic lessons. I really want to learn not just the language but also the culture. This is something to which I’ve never been exposed, so I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can. 

What got you interested in learning ASL?

Learning ASL is different from learning, say Spanish or Russian. If you remove sound, hearing, from a language it really becomes a different world. It’s like suddenly noticing a door that has been there the whole time, but never opened. 

What spurred me to actually sign up was a chance meeting with a man at a local dog park. Although the park was crowded, he was sitting by himself at one end, and had two senior Dachshunds with him. I walked over and immediately tried to start communicating. We drew in the dirt with a stick and through body language, facial expressions, and some writing, were able to trade a little bit of information about our dogs. After he left, I couldn’t get him out of my mind and I kept thinking about how much I just really wanted to be able to talk to him about his dogs. I learned they were 18 years old, but I didn’t even get their names. And I’m huge on the dog’s names. (I keep a running list of all the dogs we meet at the park.) 

That meeting led me to download a few apps, which I found were really superficial. I did a quick search online, and that’s how I found Reynolds. I was thrilled to find they have a program for learning ASL, so I enrolled right away, just in time for the fall semester. 

What are your goals after finishing the program?

A lot of my work has been volunteer work; I’ve worked with MHA and a lot of dog shelters and rescues. In the past few years I’ve narrowed my photography down to dogs and volunteer work, and I don’t know yet how I’m going to merge those interests with ASL, but I’m eager to find a way. 

You are a photographer. How does ASL relate to photography?

I honestly can’t say, I’ve just started to ask those questions. I’ve found some amazing deaf photographers through google searches, and I’m really anxious to learn more and maybe meet some of those photographers. I’d love to know their process and how differently they may work from a hearing photographer. I imagine some of the differences, and advantages, are profound. 

Employee Profile

Meet Andrea Niedhammer

Director of Facilities Management and Planning

Where did you grow up and what was it like?

I grew up in Connecticut  on Long Island sound. I remember going to the beach with my family on the weekends. I think that is where my love of swimming and the beach started. It was a small New England town where you knew all your neighbors. We moved to upstate New York when I was in High School but consider Conn my home town.

Tell us a little about yourself. What were you doing before coming to Reynolds?

Before Reynolds I was working at Magellan Health as the Director of Facilities. I worked out of the Glen Allen office but traveled to many different locations to build out new spaces or renovate older ones. I was lucky to go to Sacramento CA, Scottsdale AZ, Salt Lake City UT, Newport RI, Orlando FL, and a couple places in NY. I love to travel and got to see some beautiful sites in some of these locations. 

How did you get involved in Facilities Management?

I graduated with a Degree in Architecture in NY and a recession was going on so I was able to get a job with a bank in Manhattan working in facilities division. I loved the fast pace of getting spaces designed and built and then renovating the old space. There was always plenty going on with banks growing or merging. Upgrading technologies made the working environment also change. Over the years I have enjoyed watching the evolving of the office as people knew it. So many changes in how we work, where we work, furniture that is ergonomically built, offices that are more informal, more collaborative spaces and less offices and personal space. Also rooms being used for multi purposes not just one thing. I look forward to seeing the office evolve into the future as our business needs change.

What do you like to do outside of work? Hobbies, interests, passions?

I love to read, and work in my garden, I enjoy traveling and spending time with my two year old grandson.

If you won $100 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?

Probably give a good amount to some charities I support. Then I would do somethings around my house maybe add a pool. I would help my son and daughter buy a house, new cars for everyone and take my whole family on a wonderful vacation.