One of the many students who now regularly join Rasheed in the Rec Center is engineering student Izaak Mazur. Calling Rasheed, “a very down-to-earth professor with wicked dad jokes,” Izaak said they usually end up talking about food and what’s going on in their lives.

 “I think the fitness center is a wonderful space on campus and I try to go as often as I can.  I thought if more students experienced it even one time, that they would keep coming back,” Rasheed explained. And it turns out he was right; often the students who take him up on his offer end up becoming regulars at the Rec Center.

Many dedicated professors like Rasheed are finding creative ways to meet students where they are, offering extra support and adding value to the ������ experience.

English professor Pamyla Yates has begun holding early morning Student Engagement hours in a computer lab – and via Zoom – for students to practice keyboarding. “Over the years, a continual survey of my English language learning students showed that only 10-15% of the students had proficient keyboarding skills. In addition, many of our native English speakers have very spotty keyboarding skills as some schools make tech foundations optional,” Yates explained.

She said that efficient keyboarding skills can help students complete assignments in half or a third of the time, and also reduces errors. Being an English professor, she added “Students can also ask me any questions regarding English” during the help session.

An earlier riser who took full advantage of the keyboarding assistance is Sumaya Lak. Sumaya joined Yates most mornings by Zoom so she could get her children ready for school before she started her own day at ���Ĺ���. “I appreciate her,” Sumaya said about Yates. She said that the practice has helped improve her typing speed and accuracy, but also has helped with pronunciation. Seeing a word on the screen, then hearing and saying it, and also typing it, reinforced learning on multiple levels.

Dan O’Brien, ���Ĺ��� Computer Science professor and program, said that the extra keyboarding instruction has been a “huge boost for my students.” He added, “While they are familiar with using smartphones and tablets, many have never needed to use a computer keyboard. Pam has helped them with improved efficiency and accuracy when writing papers and especially with computer coding.”

The post Cardio, Chemistry, and Keyboarding appeared first on ������ in Weyers Cave, Virginia.

More information and registration links

The post Give Your Teen a Head Start This Summer at ������ appeared first on ������ in Weyers Cave, Virginia.

���Ĺ��� employs career coaches in each of the public high schools in our service region – it is a cost-shared position between ���Ĺ���, the ���Ĺ��� Educational Foundation, and local school districts.  Their goal is to work with the “middle majority” of students who are not sure what their next step is after high school.  The coaches help the students with career exploration, job shadowing, applying to college or trade school, accessing financial aid, and lots more. 

Samantha Hughes, the career coach at Wilson Memorial took 26 students to participate in the Day in the Life of a Line worker at Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative.  She said that “SVEC had different stations set up for students to explore, including a climbing demonstration, an opportunity to try their hand at wiring and tools, and a demonstration of ways electric lines can be damaged (the students called it “what happens when a squirrel gets on a line”).  

Similarly, the career coach at Stuarts Draft, Margo McIntire, took about a half-dozen students to a Day in the Life at SVEC at their Staunton location this past fall. She said that “the students saw active simulations and participated in hands-on activities representing the day-to-day activities of linemen.  It was a lot of fun and the presentation was very age appropriate and educational.”

The post ���Ĺ��� Career Coaches Facilitate “Day in the Life” Experiences appeared first on ���Ĺ��� in Weyers Cave, Virginia.

Together, we can nourish both minds and futures.

The post Support Lunch2Go During the Great Community Give appeared first on ������ in Weyers Cave, Virginia.

One of SOAR’s most effective and immediate supports is Lunch2Go, a simple yet powerful program that addresses food insecurity among qualifying students. Students receive $10 meal vouchers on days they attend on‑campus classes, redeemable at the bookstore or campus food trucks – providing nourishment, flexibility, and dignity.

Since January 2024, participation in Lunch2Go has more than tripled, reflecting both a growing need and increased awareness across campus. SOAR Coordinator Donna Clem explains that the program goes beyond meals. Regular interactions with students help staff identify academic, financial, and personal challenges early and connect students with the appropriate campus and community resources.

Other services offered through SOAR include:

• Single Stop, a free screening tool that assesses a student’s eligibility for federal, state and internal benefit programs and offers information about local resources
• TimelyCare, a free virtual health and well-being platform for students. It offers on-demand emotional support 24/7 from a licensed mental health professional and counseling
• Temporary Emergency Financial Assistance, for students facing unexpected financial challenges and hardships
• ���Ĺ��� Cares, a program that provides basic personal hygiene essentials to students in need

Many of the services provided by the SOAR Center are funded through the ������ Educational Foundation. Donor generosity makes it possible for ������ to sustain a broader safety net for students when they need it most.

Foundation Executive Director Amy Kiger explained that tuition and book assistance – in the form of student scholarships – is a significant priority for the ���Ĺ��� Educational Foundation. She added that in addition, for many years, the Foundation has also provided emergency funding to students as they deal with unexpected life challenges.  “We are grateful to have generous donors who have made this funding possible!  They understand that helping a student navigate a difficult financial situation may be the very thing that allows them to persist with their education.”

The post Helping Students SOAR appeared first on ������ in Weyers Cave, Virginia.

During fiscal year 2025–2026 to date, the Foundation has awarded $565,902 in scholarships to 328 students, opening doors to opportunity, stability, and success. That impact was on full display at the annual Scholarship Luncheon Celebration on March 6, 2026, where more than 220 supporters and student scholarship recipients gathered to honor the life‑changing power of education and philanthropy.

A Student’s Journey of Resilience and Hope

Student speaker Amina Anwar, soon to be a ������ IT and cybersecurity graduate, shared a deeply moving story of perseverance, courage, and transformation. Originally from Pakistan, Amina spoke candidly about surviving an abusive relationship, navigating a new country and culture, and rebuilding her life as a single mother, all while pursuing her education at ������.

Through online classes, supportive faculty, and scholarship assistance, Amina found not only academic success but also confidence, leadership, and a professional identity. Scholarships allowed her to leave multiple jobs and fully focus on her studies, ultimately leading to leadership roles on campus and an IT internship at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community.

“Blue Ridge didn’t just give me a degree. It gave me confidence. Skills. Leadership. Experience. A professional identity. A voice.”

Amina reminded attendees that scholarships do far more than cover tuition—they bring peace into students’ homes, reduce stress, and make it possible to dream beyond survival.

“I came here broken, scared, and unsure. I am leaving confident, skilled, independent, and hopeful.”

Investing in Education, Investing in the Future

Foundation supporter Ed Morse (top image) reflected on why he and his wife, Debbie, chose to establish endowed scholarships at ���Ĺ���—both in celebration of family members and in honor of careers dedicated to service, education, and community well‑being. Drawing on a quote from Benjamin Franklin, Ed captured the heart of donor impact:

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

For the Morse family, supporting scholarships is both personal and purposeful—helping students pursue careers in agriculture, education, counseling, and human services, while giving back to the college that played a formative role in their own lives.

Thank You for Making This Possible

The Scholarship Luncheon was a powerful reminder that behind every award is a story of determination—and behind every success story is a community of supporters who believe in the promise of education.

Because of you, thousands of ���Ĺ��� students are building brighter futures for themselves, their families, and our region. Thank you for making 2025–2026 another extraordinary year of impact.

Videos from this event can be found on the .

The post Scholarships Transform Lives appeared first on ������ in Weyers Cave, Virginia.

“Finding the right campus fit is vital to student success. There is nothing more reassuring to a student than feeling at home where they study,” she explained. “The opportunity to meet current 4-year students, see classrooms, and learn about campus activities and support systems is key to boosting student confidence as they prepare to transfer.”

Last month 32 ���Ĺ��� students visited the University of Virginia, as part of the university’s inaugural Transfer Visit. In addition to hosting ���Ĺ��� students, UVA invited students form PVCC and Virginia Western Community College. The first stop of the day was meeting with the Transfer Dean and hearing from a student panel about the admissions process and student life. Next up was a scavenger hunt exploring the Grounds to learn more about UVA traditions, resources, and to meet current students. The group had lunch together then broke into groups based on their academic interests to learn about school-specific admission information. The day wrapped up with a session about applying for financial aid.

Sisters Emilie and Katrina Pinkevich are first year transfer students at ������ who were part of the UVA visit. They are both considering transfer to the McIntire College of Business.

“The financial aid info session was very helpful for understanding UVA’s unique systems. I had a thoroughly positive experience and UVA is now my favorite transfer option,” said Emilie.

Katrina agreed that the visit was a success and, “I came away with a better understanding of what UVA is and their vibe. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that students get free access to all UVA sporting events!”

As the most popular transfer destination for ���Ĺ��� students, JMU is a frequent host for transfer tours. In February a group of 53 ���Ĺ��� students took the short trip to Harrisonburg to spend the day on campus. Rajan says that at JMU, “the Transfer Student Panel and lunch on campus are always highlights of the visit!

Starting at ���Ĺ��� is a great way to stay close to home, save money, and take advantage of seamless transfer options to nearly any public or private 4-year college in Virginia! Offering transfer support including customized advising, visits, and more, ���Ĺ��� students are sure to get the help they need to transfer successfully. 

For more information about transfer options, email info@brcc.edu or advising@brcc.edu.

The post ������, JMU, UVA Partner to Offer Transfer Tours appeared first on ������ in Weyers Cave, Virginia.

As a young man working in a tractor-trailer shop, Justin Hawkins watched as highly-skilled fabricators repaired frames, structural steel, and custom components. Seeing those welders take raw pieces of metal and turn them into functional finished works “sparked my passion for the trade,” Justin explained.

Deciding that he would benefit from formal training, Justin enrolled in welding classes at ���Ĺ���. He wanted to focus on pipe welding and structural steel, and hoped to “set myself apart and gain a true advantage in my trade” by taking classes. Welding instructor Wiley Perry was the perfect fit for Justin, teaching fundamental skills and emphasizing how to do them correctly. According to Justin, Wiley “had a teaching style that was clear, relatable, and confidence-building.”

As a student, Wiley said that Justin came to every class “on a mission” to become the best welder he could be. Wiley added, “His dedication and hard work really paid off for him as he earned many welding certifications in different positions. He always had a smile on his face when he lifted his welding hood!”

After finishing his welding training, Justin knew he wanted to start his own business as a welder, but didn’t want to take on the financial burden of a brick-and-motor shop. He also wanted to reduce downtime and increase the convenience of his services for his customers. With help from his wife Elizabeth, the name and logo for “WelderBeast” was born! The mobile welding business is Justin’s vision come to fruition.

“Being mobile allows me to meet clients where they are and handle a wide range of structural and fabrication needs on site,” he said.

Justin said competing with larger welding companies is a challenge but has found that his growing base of satisfied customers has led to lots of referrals as well as repeat business.

Among the most unique projects he’s tackled so far is a 1,000-pound custom corten steel electronic entry gate for a private estate in Albemarle County and work on a specialized water tower.  

“Every job—big or small—is done with pride, precision, and a commitment to doing it right the first time.”

The post Graduate Spotlight: Justin Hawkins, Welding appeared first on ������ in Weyers Cave, Virginia.

For her years of service to ������ and the Shenandoah Valley, an honorary Associate Degree was granted to Mrs. Colemon in May 2021.

Service to her community and church is paramount in Mrs. Colemon’s life as she has served, and continues to serve, on numerous advisory boards and commissions. Mrs. Coleman is the recipient of several awards and recognitions, including the City of Waynesboro National Volunteer “Star of the City” Award; a Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Leadership Award in 2009; a Million Dollar Medallion Award from the NAACP; and recognition of her church mission efforts in Ghana, West Africa.

Mrs. Colemon, one of thirteen children, was born and raised in western Albemarle County by her parents, Jesse and Julia Jackson. She is a proud graduate of Jackson Price Burley High School in 1966. Mrs. Colemon continued her education at Old Dominion Business School in Business Accounting and received missionary training under Frederick K.C. Price and Bishop Earl Patterson and other religious educational institutions. She was employed by Waynesboro City Public Schools in 1993, and retired in 2020 as Facilitator for the ISAEP/GED Program.

Her family includes three sons, three daughters-in-law, one granddaughter, a foster son, and legal guardianship of a niece and two nephews. She is a world traveler and life-long learner and especially enjoys museums! A favorite quote is “People may doubt what you say, but they will always believe what you do.”

������ is happy to honor and celebrate Mrs. Joyce Colemon!

The post ������ Friend & Supporter Mrs. Joyce Colemon appeared first on ������ in Weyers Cave, Virginia.

One of the most impactful, yet simple, services offered by the SOAR Center is the Lunch2Go program. A program to help qualifying students with nutritional needs, by providing meal vouchers for use on days the student attends on-campus classes.  The $10 vouchers can be used towards food items at the bookstore or the food trucks on campus.

SOAR Coordinator Donna Clem, explained. “The SOAR center has the pleasure of seeing Lunch2Go students on a weekly basis to provide not only food vouchers, but to develop a relationship. Life issues, challenges and academic struggles are uncovered during our conversations and together we pursue solutions.” Donna then works to help connect students to the appropriate campus or community resources. 

She added, “Since January 2024, we have over tripled the number of students participating in the Lunch2Go program through awareness of the program within the student body as well as with staff and faculty.”

Angie, a student working towards earning her certificate in advanced veterinary assisting, works 35-40 hours a week in addition to attending classes. She said she learned about the Lunch2Go program in her orientation class, “This is such a huge help because sometimes I am paycheck to paycheck. Also after school I often go straight to work and I would go all day without eating. With the lunch program I’m able to grab something before I go to work.”

David is a transfer student in computer science who also receives Lunch2Go vouchers. He said the support has helped him be a successful student because, “I don’t have to worry if I can afford to eat, so that’s one thing off my mind to focus on other things.”

Other SOAR services include:

Single Stop:

A free screening tool that assesses a student’s eligibility for federal, state and internal benefit programs and offers information about local resources. The SOAR Coordinator, Donna Clem, then follows up with students regarding their eligibility and next steps, and provide guidance to help students through the process.

TimelyCare:

A free virtual health and well-being platform for students. It offers on-demand emotional support 24/7 from a licensed mental health professional, including three scheduled counseling sessions per year. It’s also a place that students can share their feelings among peers and utilize self-care “journeys” online.

Temporary Emergency Financial Assistance:

This program is available to ���Ĺ��� students who meet defined eligibility requirements and demonstrate need through supporting documentation. 

������ Cares:

A program that provides basic personal hygiene products to students in need. 

The SOAR Center is funded by the ���Ĺ��� Educational Foundation. Foundation Director Amy Kiger explained that tuition and book assistance – in the form of student scholarships – is a significant priority for the ���Ĺ��� Educational Foundation. She added that in addition, for many years, the Foundation has also provided emergency funding to students as they deal with unexpected life challenges.  “We are grateful to have generous donors who have made this funding possible!  They understand that helping a student navigate a difficult financial situation may be the very thing that allows them to persist with their education.”

The post Helping Students SOAR! appeared first on ������ in Weyers Cave, Virginia.