Richard Groover's dragonfly studies

Richard Groover, Assistant Dean of the School of Mathematics and Science at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College is passionate about the study of dragonflies.    In fact, in addition to his position at JSRCC, Mr. Groover is also a doctoral student at George Mason University studying Environmental Science and Policy.  He admits a fascination with dragonflies since childhood.  In fact, he is known locally as the “dragonfly guy of Hanover County.”

Dragonflies are strong predators that eat mosquitoes, and other small insects like flies.   They live near bodies of water (ponds, lakes, and streams) because they lay their eggs on or in the water.  To that end, Groover spent a recent sunny afternoon catching dragonflies and collecting dragonfly larvae from the retention pond outside JSRCC’s Workforce Development Center for doctoral research he will conduct this summer.    

His doctoral questions include:

1.       When a new pond is created, are there certain species of dragonflies that arrive first?  Groover has studied over 30 sites in Hanover County, Virginia over the past three years and determined that there are usually six species of dragonflies that are generally the first to colonize in a new pond.  

2.       Three years later, does the dominant species change in that pond?  After researching six ponds for three years, Groover believes that pond dominance does not change.

3.       Does wind have an impact on dragonfly dispersal?  To answer this question, Groover is conducting a manipulated experiment this summer.  For his experiment, he has leased a 200-acre pasture and built eight artificial ponds in a circle, each 300 meters apart.  With help from student volunteers from a number of local colleges and universities, he plans to release two types of dragonflies from the center of the circle, within the artificial pond area, and track how they disburse in different weather conditions.  The hypothesis he hopes to support is that the dragonflies will disburse downwind under the right conditions. 

Once Groover completes his research this summer, he will write and then defend his dissertation.  He hopes to receive his doctorate degree in 2013.  His long-term goal is to dedicate the remainder of his life to the study of dragonflies. 

David Barrish selected as Dean of School of Business

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College has named David Barrish as the Dean of the School of Business. Barrish will be responsible for directing strategic planning, environmental scanning, research and analysis, instructional program development and evaluation, enrollment management, development and implementation of distance learning instructional delivery and student outcome assessment.

 “This is an exciting time for the College as we realign our transfer engineering program, thus creating a clear direction for the future of both the new School of Business and new School of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering,” noted Barrish. “My team of expert faculty and staff will be able to enhance our focus on students in certificate and degree programs that enter the workplace immediately upon graduation and contribute to the economic growth of our region.”  

At Reynolds, Barrish has served as interim dean and assistant dean of the School of Business and Engineering on two separate occasions and has held the position of full-time faculty member, program head, and director of the School of Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and Tourism. Additionally, he possesses extensive experience in the private sector, where he worked for the Sheraton Corporation and the Richmond Hotels Company.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Barrish has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Restaurant Management from Ohio State University and a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Rhodes featured in library exhibit

Dr. Gary L. Rhodes is featured in the “Why Children’s Books: Inspiring Generations” exhibit at the Richmond Public Main Library on Franklin Street in Downtown, Richmond. The fascinating exhibit demonstrates the long-term influence of a children’s book. Whether it is the memory of reading with a parent, the first time a book is read alone or the emotional power of a certain tale, the stories shared by Rhodes and other notable Richmond personalities reaffirm the importance of free and easy access to books for all children.

April 12 – May 29, 2012

Richmond Public Main Library

Monday through Wednesday: 10 am-7 pm

Thursday and Friday: 10 am-6 pm

Saturday: 10 am-5 pm

For additional information, call (804) 646-0117

Gary L. Rhodes, Ed.D.

Dare to imagine

         

I have fond memories of my childhood. I was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, but grew up just across the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. Summers were the best. Most days I spent my time outdoors playing with my collie, Dutchess. I remember spending hours swinging on the tree swing in the back yard, playing ball or just exploring the world around me. I was an inquisitive kid with a vivid imagination. That’s probably why Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson stands out as one of my favorite childhood books.

I guess I was a little like Jim Hawkins—naturally curious, impulsive at times, always looking for that next adventure. My parents were wonderful because they encouraged me to imagine what could be and to explore new ideas. I remember coming home one day to find three brand new unicycles—one for my dad and the others for my twin sister and me. We had a lot of fun learning to ride those unicycles. That creative spirit has shaped who I am today.

My colleagues at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College have come to know me as an idea machine. Some of my ideas are better than others, but the point is to keep generating them. We should encourage our young people to dare to imagine. There is no better catalyst for creativity and innovation than a good book.

Opticianry program provides free eyewear for Middle College students

A friendly conversation between two colleagues turned into a worthwhile service learning opportunity for students in the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Opticianry and Middle College programs.

Mary Jo Washko, director of Middle College, recently mentioned to Opticianry program head, Yvonne Metten, that 17 of her students needed corrective eyewear. Understanding the need, Metten met with local optometrist Dr. Evan Kauffman who graciously agreed to donate his time (valued at $2,100) to conduct free undilated eye exams for Middle College students.

In order to provide this service, the Opticianry program had to obtain frames, lenses and improved equipment. Metten met with Elizabeth Littlefield, vice president for Institutional Advancement, and representatives with the Richmond Eye and Ear Foundation Fund to see if there was an interest in funding this initiative. The Richmond Eye and Ear Foundation Fund, a component fund of The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, awarded $37,600 to the Opticianry Program on April 2, 2012. Funds from this grant were used to purchase lenses and frames for JSRCC Middle College students and to purchase a lens edger which helps Opticianry students fabricate lenses in less time.

On April 23, a Vision Fair was held exclusively for Middle College students. Under the watchful eye of Dr. Kauffman, Opticianry students provided preliminary exams for nearly 25 Middle College clients. Specifically, they conducted tests for color blindness and provided keratometry and slit lamp evaluations. They also worked directly with the clients in the selection and fitting of eyewear.

"Improving a student’s ability to see will have a tremendous impact on his or her ability to be successful not only in their college program but also in their occupation," said Washko.

The Middle College is a college entry program for individuals between the ages of 18-24 who have not completed their high school education but have the goal of attending college. The program includes GED preparation and college level preparation for employment coursework to help students pursue their goal of a college education. There is no cost to the student to participate in this program.

JSRCC hosts 8th Annual Gardenfest

Just in time for spring planting, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and the Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardeners hosted the 8th Annual Spring Garden Fest, a day that featured valuable gardening sessions and the opportunity to purchase plants and flowers ready to plant.  Almost 500 people attended the event, which ran from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the College’s Goochland Campus located at 1851 Dickinson Road in Goochland.

David Seward, Horticulture Program Head, remarked, “It was a very successful day even with the mid-day rain and a good time was had by all!”

More than 20 different gardening sessions were conducted throughout the day including "Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden," "Successful Grape Growing in the Home Garden" and "Landscaping with Edible Plants. Throughout the day, local Master Gardeners were on-hand to answer questions and provide gardening tips.

Anita and Craig Waters honored with 2012 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy

Anita and Craig Waters of Glen Allen, Virginia, have earned the 2012 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The couple was nominated for the award by JSRCC.



Back row (l to r): Tim McDermott, Mary McDermott, Capt.(Ret) Lawrence Hall, Craig Waters, Chancellor Glenn DuBois, Dr. Gary Rhodes

Front:  Frances Waters, Pam Hall, Anita Waters


The award was given at a luncheon ceremony at the Country Club of Virginia on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Anita and Craig Waters established the Alan Waters Memorial Scholarship named after their son who was pursuing his associate degree in automotive technology before passing away in 2007. Through their annual golf tournament, the Waters have raised more than $87,000 in scholarship funds to benefit nursing and automotive students. Anita is Marketing Director with the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, a duathlete and marathon coach. An avid golfer and cyclist, Craig is an executive with Dominion.

Their pursuits reflect the strength and grace with which they’ve turned personal tragedy into empowerment for our students to compete and to win. The Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy luncheon is hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE) to honor the leading philanthropists from each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges as well as the statewide foundation. This marks the seventh year the awards have been given. This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has contributed a combined total of more than $48 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.

"These philanthropic leaders are tremendous partners," said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. "These individuals, organizations and employers are difference-makers who play an essential role in helping our colleges fulfill their mission of addressing Virginia’s unmet needs in higher education and workforce development."

The honored philanthropists will have a scholarship named after them which will be awarded next fall to a student attending their community college. The one-year scholarships are funded by Wells Fargo and Dominion.

The luncheon’s keynote speaker was Mr. Steve Gannon, executive vice president, deputy general counsel – legal for Capital One Financial Corporation. Mr. Gannon is a member of the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges and a director of the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education.

"We owe our success to our 30,000 hard-working associates, and plenty of them, in turn, owe a good deal of their success to community colleges," said Gannon in applauding the opportunities created by philanthropic donations made to community colleges. "We can’t spare any lost potential. In a global economy that rewards innovation and technical prowess, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels."

Congratulations to the 2012 Art Show winners

At J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, spring means the walls of the Gallery in Georgiadis Hall on the Parham Road become an art gallery for the Student Art Show, displaying many creative works in all shapes and sizes. This year, 95 works of art were submitted to the campus exhibition, which ran from April 3rd to May 2. Here are the award categories and winners.

Reynolds Award (Best in Show) - Eric Atkinson

Reynolds Award 1^st Runner Up - Elizabeth Heaton

Reynolds Award 2^nd Runner Up - Ling Lin Ku

1^st Place Photography - Jonathan Albrecht

1^st Place Painting - Ling Lin Ku

1^st Place Drawing - Sang Rok Lee

1^st Place Design - Alan McLeod

Congratulations to all the winners!

Reynolds hosts Around the World through Books discussion of "The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks"

More than 80 J. Sargeant Reynolds students, faculty, staff, and guests enjoyed the Around the World through Books discussion of The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks on Thursday, March 29.

Carol Rodi from Reynolds’ School of Nursing and Allied Health and biology professor Janet Adams led a lively discussion about the poignant, true-life story, written by Rebecca Skloot, of the contributions to science and medicine from cells taken from Henrietta Lacks in the 1950s. Originally from Clover, Virginia, Henrietta Lacks underwent cancer treatment at Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore, where some of her cancer cells were removed and tested. The cells continued to survive and for more than 50 years have offered opportunities for ongoing research. In the 1970s the Lacks family learned about the existence of Henrietta’s cells, and as the cells had begun making a significant amount of money for labs that marketed them, ethical, business, and legal questions arose around the rights of the family to compensation for the cells.

Known as HeLa cells, the cells continue to be widely used in research and health care today, and the ethical, business, and legal issues around cellular research are also ongoing.

At Thursday night’s event in the Gallery on Parham Road Campus the presenters and audience discussed some of these issues, including questions of informed consent and how it has changed over the years, the funding and business of modern scientific cellular research, and ethical concerns surrounding these topics.

Sponsored by the Multicultural Enrichment Council, this was final event in this year’s book discussion series.

Capacity crowd attends Reynolds Science Night

Nearly 400 people enjoyed an evening of thought-provoking sessions and engaging conversations during the College’s 8th Annual Science Night event held on March 28.

“It was a wonderful setting for our students, faculty, staff and neighbors from the community,” said Raymond Burton, Dean of the School of Mathematics & Science. “Our committee and presenters worked hard for this special evening and I am glad they had such a large and interactive audience.”

Professor Brian Dunn

Professor David Walz opened the session with his presentation “America the Beautiful” that included an array of photos taken while traveling across country. During the slideshow, Walz declared himself as just a regular guy that enjoys traveling and taking pictures with a cheap camera. “I let mother nature provide all the majestic views for me,” he noted.

Walz shared that one of America’s the best kept secrets is the falls in Great Falls, Virginia located outside Washington, D.C. “When I first saw them, I thought I was in the western part of the United States,” added Walz, who also shared that he and his wife try to see all 48 lower continental states every 10 years.

The evening’s second presenter, Dr. Bryan Rhodes, elaborated on his topic “Being Skeptic of Skeptics: Is there evidence for Climate Change?” Dr. Rhodes challenged the audience to focus on the facts and think past what they are hearing in the news and their preconceptions.

“When you think about climate change, that is a vision, as none of us have been completely around the world to see all the effects,” noted Rhodes. “Climate does change – why it changes and what effects humans have on that change is still the big question. Some of it (global warming) is natural. How much we are contributing to this phenomenon, is what we don’t know.”

Professor Brian Dunn closed the evening with his presentation “Germany: A Nation Transformed, Enraptured, and Devastated by Science” that featured a collection of German scientist and how their discoveries effect the world even today.

“The turn of the last century was a period of great political unrest, but at that same time, governments of ambitious powers invested heavily in scientific research and technology development for several reasons,” Dunn said during his opening. “They wanted to improve their economy and also wanted to politically and economically influence other nations.”

Reynolds celebrates Women’s History Month

The JSRCC Multicultural Enrichment Council recently presented “Empowerment: Connecting the Past, Present and Future” in celebration of Women’s History Month. Keynote speaker Cassandra D. Emery, Executive Director/CEO, YWCA of Richmond, set the tone for the day by providing a powerful opening message to the audience.

Lunch was followed by two lively panel discussions. The first panel featured Cheryl Hicks, author, historian and associate professor at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Sindy Benavides, political director for the Northern Virginia Senatorial Campaign, and Tonya Mallory, CEO, Health Diagnostics Laboratory, Inc.

“Understanding the past is a good way to judge the future,” noted Hicks. “Ask for advice and guidance from people you respect, and act as if you don’t know everything. There are people out there that want to help you and you can learn from.”

“While shaping our thoughts, sometimes we are enemies of our own self, and criticize our own self too much,” said Benavides. “As women, we need to find the confidence and move forward.”

Sindy Benavides



The second panel featured students Carolyn Hajeck (JSRCC), Alexis Rodgers (Virginia Commonwealth University) and Shakeena Pierce (University of Richmond). They each shared stories of overcoming obstacles, inspirational mentors and plans for the future. The program was emceed by CBS 6 co-anchor Reba Hollingsworth and concluded with a performance by The Jazz Ladies.

Advance College Academy makes first visit to Reynolds

“J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College…..A World of Opportunity” – that was the sound of the Advance College Academy (ACA) students showing their JSRCC spirit during their first visit to the College’s Parham Road Campus.

The ACA consists of Henrico County Public School students who are in a newly designed program that allows them to obtain an Associate of Science degree in Social Science, in partnership with Reynolds, during their last two years of high school. The Class of 2015 will begin taking Reynolds courses in summer 2013.

“We thought it was very important for the students to visit the campus and especially the library,” noted Dr. Miles McCrimmon, JSRCC Professor of English, who is helping to coordinate the ACA. “These students are some of the brightest in the Henrico County Public School system and it is important for them to see and learn how to use the many resources available to them.”

During the visit, Reynolds librarian Hong Wu gave the students a tour of the College’s library, demonstrating how to research topics through electronic means and how to find current materials physically located in the library.

“I was very impressed by the group of students,” added Wu. “They showed great interest in the research materials and asked some great questions. I hope to see them all in our library as they continue with the program.”

Following the tour of the library, the students engaged in a discussion of “art in our society” and spent time expressing their thoughts on paper during an open writing assignment.

After their visit to Reynolds, they traveled to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts where they received a personal tour and enjoyed lunch on the lawn.

“After seven months, it is very exciting to see how these students are progressing through the Academy,” said McCrimmon. “Their enthusiasm for Reynolds, the Academy, and their fellow students continues to impress us all.”

JSRCC Police Department adds three sworn officers to its ranks

The J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Department of Police recently hired three additional full-time police officers. This brings the total number of sworn officers covering the College’s three campuses to 16. Reynolds is one of only six colleges in the Virginia Community College System with sworn police officers. Northern Virginia Community College, Southwest Virginia Community College, Thomas Nelson Community College, Lord Fairfax Community College and Virginia Western Community College are the others.

Photo L-R: Wyatt Hicks; Rondell White; David Campbell

More than 125 students join honor society ranks

Reynolds inducted more than 125 students into the Alpha Iota Beta and the Alpha Gamma Omicron chapters of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society on Saturday, February 25. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges and recognizes and encourages the academic achievement of two-year college students and provides opportunities for individual growth and development.

Mr. Richard Groover, JSRCC School of Mathematics and Science assistant dean, served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. Groover challenged the inductees to give back to the community and become leaders.

“One might say you are the cream of the crop,” noted Groover. “You are the top students. You are honor society scholars and you should be very proud.”

Phi Theta Kappa members have a strong presence on Reynolds’ campuses and throughout the community. Members have a commitment to service, leadership, fellowship and scholarship.

Today, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education, with more than 1.3 million members and 1,200 chapters in the United States, U.S. territories, Canada and Germany.

Packed house enjoys book discussion on “Like Water for Chocolate”

Adjunct faculty member Jackie Gottstein enlightened over 100 students, faculty, staff and guests as Reynolds hosted another “Around the World Through Books” discussion recently in the Gallery of Georgiadis Hall on the Parham Road Campus.

The session featured “Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel – a story about a young girl named Tita who has always known her destiny: to remain single and care for her aging mother. When she falls in love, her mother quickly scotches the liaison and tyrannically dictates that Tita's sister Rosaura must marry the luckless suitor, Pedro, in her place. But Tita has one weapon left--her cooking.

Through a vivid and thoughtful presentation, Jackie brought the book and the Mexican culture to life. The audience was also treated to delicious, artisanal chocolates created by JSRCC Chef Jesse Miller and his group of pastry arts students.

Sponsored by JSRCC’s Multicultural Enrichment Council, the final book discussion of the year will be on March 29 and will feature Rebecca Skloot’s “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.”  

The Places You’ll Go

When Jim Allison entered the Peace Corps, he carried more with him than a curiosity at seeing the world.  With his just-earned Engineering AS degree from Reynolds, Jim spent the late Eighties installing water systems in the Philippines. Sharing a laugh with his wife Milette, who he met while there, Jim recalls, “I think the boarding house we lived in charged 100 bucks a month. But, those were great times.” 

Like so many J. Sarge alumni, Jim’s “road to Reynolds” story is particularly fascinating because he was an adult student when he made the decision to enroll.  Growing up in Northern Virginia, Jim first attended college as a student at Randolph-Macon, which brought him closer to Richmond.  “And, I’d always worked construction. But, recruiters and head hunters kept asking me if I’d ever thought of becoming an engineer. I heard it from so many folks that I decided to take a serious look at it, and that’s how I ended up at Reynolds.”  It was a completely different academic experience for Jim – and, he flourished in it.

“The odd thing is that I’d just squeaked by at Randolph-Macon.  Then, I got to Reynolds and everything turned around.  The job of Reynolds is to prepare you for the next step and they do it incredibly well.  For instance, the professors are there to teach; their focus isn’t on publishing.  And, because of that, they are excellent instructors.”  In particular, Jim credits Dr. M.L. Foy and Fred McConnell for the fundamentals of engineering he learned in their classrooms. 

Jim recalls a time when his study group was meeting on a Sunday afternoon.  They were stumped by a math problem and decided to call their instructor at home.  “He actually drove in from Short Pump, and this was when Short Pump was really the country.  He drove in just to give us an extra lesson.  Not many professors would necessarily do that.” 

After Reynolds, Jim headed to Virginia Tech where he earned his Master’s Degree in Engineering. He worked as an engineer for the City of Richmond before leaving to help Milette run the couple’s business, a successful childcare center in Midlothian called The Learning Playhouse.  

Since 2007, Jim and Milette Allison have supported JSRCC as donors, adding precious resources to the college’s annual fund, the Fund for Reynolds. “I always figured I would give back.  It’s a fine school and I’ve had a number to compare it to.  For what it wants to do, Reynolds simply does it the best.” 

Bowling for scholarships

Over 60 enthusiastic faculty, staff, board members and supporters hit the bowling lanes recently to raise money for the JSRCC Classified Council Scholarship. Hosting the 9^th annual JSRCC Scholarship Bowl, Classified Council raised over $1,000 this year and has netted more than $10,000 for student scholarships since the inception of the annual event.

Congratulations to Donna Sheppard who won the high score award, posting a 337 and to the “Healthy Rollers” who rolled the best overall team score. Team “Going for It” came in 2^nd place, followed by team “Great Expectations.”

Classified Council would like to thank all supporters, and wants to remind everyone it is never too early to start practicing for next year!!!

U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis visits Reynolds

In his most recent State of the Union address, President Barack Obama issued a challenge to train 2 million Americans and place them in middle-class careers through community college-employer partnerships. In a recent visit to the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Downtown Campus, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis discussed this and other initiatives at a roundtable with African American business leaders in the Greater Richmond Region.

Billed as the “State of the Union Roundtable and its meaning to the African American Community,” the forum was moderated by JSRCC President Dr. Gary Rhodes. After an introduction by Dr. Barbara Glenn, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Secretary Solis addressed the participants and then engaged in an open dialogue covering employment challenges, training opportunities, federal funding initiatives, and  faith-based and community partnerships.

“We need to help businesses by making it easier for them to reach these college students,” noted Solis. “We need to reach those that need our help and create opportunities for these students to be successful.”

Secretary Solis was first elected to public office in 1985 as a member of the Rio Hondo Community College Board of Trustees. She served in the California State Assembly from 1992 to 1994, and in 1994 made history by becoming the first Latina elected to the California State Senate. As the chairwoman of the California Senate Industrial Relations Committee, she led the battle to increase the state's minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.75 an hour in 1996. She also authored a record seventeen state laws aimed at combating domestic violence. She was confirmed as Secretary of Labor on February 24, 2009.

Academy Award winner speaks at JSRCC for Black History Month

(L-R) Robert Agaba, Lily Mirjahangiri and Willie Burton

“The Help” movie sound mixer and two-time Academy Award winner Willie Burton recently spoke at the College as a part of the Multicultural Enrichment Council’s Black History Month programming.  Burton is credited with breaking barriers for African-Americans and minorities entering the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in the 1970’s. His accomplishments include two Oscars for Best Achievement in Sound Mixing (Dreamgirls) and Best Sound (Bird). He also won a British Academy Award in 1983 for War Games. Burton encouraged the audience not to lose focus on their personal and professional goals. “Character, spirituality and the relationships you foster are keys to success,” he said. “Believe in yourself, keep the faith and keep on fighting to achieve your dreams.”

FIRST PERSON: Meet Alumnus Matt Vinson

I am so thankful for the clear vision that I have had for my life and for God’s guidance and help to achieve my goals.  My name is Matthew Vinson and I am a 2008 graduate of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (JSRCC) and a 2010 graduate of the University Virginia with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.  It had been my dream since high school to become a civil engineer and to work in that field. 

After graduating from high school, I enrolled at JSRCC full time in the Engineering Associates degree program.  The education and activities at JSRCC prepared me as a person and a student to go onto bigger things in life.  One of those things was to transfer to the University of Virginia to complete my four-year degree.  The community college made this easier by having transfer days each semester where representatives from four-year universities presented information on their specific programs and transfer agreements.  Establishing contacts and receiving information from various colleges definitely helped me in my transfer process.  Applying for department scholarships was another valuable aid.  Good grades and my clear goal of becoming a civil engineer were beneficial in winning several scholarships throughout my scholastic years. I am thankful that I only accepted loans for one year at UVA—this kept my total debt below $10,000. 

After a year and a half of part-time civil engineering work at Willmark Engineering in Ashland, I finally got full-time work as a contractor for Dominion Virginia Power.  I am working in the Electric Transmission Operations group, at their headquarters in downtown Richmond.  This is an exciting new field of engineering and I am hoping to be brought on as a permanent employee soon.  The timing of this job was an answer to prayer.  My wife, Heather and I had a one year old, Noelle, and were expecting another one, when I started the new position in December.  Now we are a family of four with the birth of our second daughter, Vera.  This job provides steady work and a healthy income enabling me to provide for my family.  I am so glad that I am not over burdened with college debt, thanks to the Virginia Community College System and the numerous scholarships at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and the University of Virginia.  

Creating great nurses for Richmond

Nursing Retention Specialist Carol Rodi
tutors Reynolds nursing students.

Carol Rodi sits among a small group of JSRCC nursing students at the College’s Academic Support Center. You can tell by the discussion that these students are nearing graduation. You can sense their anxiety too.  Rodi’s throwing out “what if” scenarios of a patient presenting cardiac symptoms. And she’s asking for quick answers.

“When do you defibrillate? And what about blood thinners? What do you need to know?” she asks.

Many of these students are gearing up for final nursing exams. Rodi, the College’s nursing retention specialist, spends most of her time tutoring nursing students so they are prepared. It’s clear she’s good at it, since so many graduates have thanked her personally at their pinning ceremony.

“For some students, I guess I do help them study for and pass that final exam,” she says. “But for most of them, I really think I give them a broader understanding of caring for their patients…I put what they’ve learned into real situations. If their patient is in trouble and they’re having certain symptoms, what do they [our nursing graduates] do?”

As one tutoring session ends, Rodi makes her way down the hall from the Academic Support Center to a classroom, explaining that the next session needs a larger room to accommodate the group. Before she can unlock the door, a student shouts, “Please say you’ll be tutoring us today.”

Rodi has a master’s degree in Nursing. Before Reynolds, she worked as a critical care nurse in a burn center for a large healthcare system. However, she believes the associate degree level of nursing education is the most important. For her, she says, it was the most difficult. She received her RN from a college in a small town and says that Reynolds students are incredibly fortunate to complete their clinical requirements at VCU Health System.

“This level is so important because this is the level we put it all together,” she said.

Rodi’s position is grant funded through the College’s Academic Support Center. She was initially hired through a grant aimed at increasing nursing graduation rates.