Success for All: Fostering Student Achievement and Workforce Growth in Virginia

Thank you for your support in making the G3 Scholarship program a reality. Through your efforts, countless Virginians now have the opportunity to pursue in-demand, stackable credentials and education programs with little to no cost for tuition and fees.

G3 has opened doors to accessible, affordable education for students across the commonwealth, allowing them to build pathways toward meaningful employment and a brighter future.

Sydney Patton: From G3 Scholarship to Cybersecurity Advocate

Sydney Patton has been named to the PTK All-USA Academic Team.

Sydney Patton, Laurel Ridge Community College’s 2024 Outstanding Graduate for the Middletown Campus, is a shining example of how G3 funding can change lives. After receiving a postcard about the G3 Scholarship in 2021, Patton, a mother and mature student, decided to enroll at Laurel Ridge. The G3 program, which covers tuition for eligible students in high-demand fields like cybersecurity, allowed her to pursue her passion without financial barriers.

Patton’s journey was not without challenges. In September 2022, she contracted both COVID-19 and a brain infection, but the support of her professors, especially Cybersecurity Professor James Allen, helped her stay on track through virtual sessions.

With the help of G3 funding, Patton excelled both academically and in leadership roles, serving as president of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), regional vice president for PTK’s Virginia and West Virginia region, and a member of the cybersecurity competition team. She was also selected for the prestigious All-USA Academic Team and received multiple scholarships, including the Jeffery L. Ross Memorial Endowed Scholarship and the New Century Pathway Scholarship.

Patton’s passion for cybersecurity is deeply personal. Having experienced stalking, she was drawn to the field to help shape policies that protect others. Now, her goal is to continue her education at Shenandoah University and return to Laurel Ridge as a professor, ensuring future students benefit from the same support she received through the G3 program.

Kayleigh Baylor: A Life-Changing Journey Through Laurel Ridge’s Medical Laboratory Technology Program

2021 graduate Kayleigh Baylor and her daughter, Kaylani

Kayleigh Baylor, a 2021 graduate of Laurel Ridge Community College, attributes her successful career in medical laboratory technology (MLT) to the transformative experiences she had at the college. Now, as a full-time generalist lab technician at Fauquier Hospital, she trains current MLT students during their clinical experience.

After initially pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary science at Virginia Commonwealth University, Baylor shifted her focus to MLT after discovering her passion for the scientific side of healthcare while working as a medical assistant. Transferring credits from VCU allowed her to enter the MLT program at Laurel Ridge in 2019, where she benefitted from the college’s supportive environment and the Laurel Ridge Educational Foundation’s Student Success Fund.

Baylor’s commitment to her education was further supported by her involvement in Laurel Ridge’s TRiO program, designed to assist first-generation college students and those with financial need. Now, she is not only working in a field she loves, but also actively participating in the education of future lab technicians.

Importantly, the MLT program at Laurel Ridge is eligible for G3 funding, providing qualified students with last-dollar tuition coverage after all other financial aid has been applied. This funding opportunity helps make a rewarding career in medical laboratory technology accessible to more students. Baylor’s journey highlights the significant impact education and funding play in achieving career aspirations in the healthcare field.

We extend our deepest gratitude to you for championing the FastForward program and providing essential funding for workforce training across Virginia. Your support has made it possible for countless individuals to change their futures, gaining the skills needed for in-demand careers in healthcare, technology, skilled trades, and more.

Changing Futures in Weeks, Not Years: FastForward Programs at Laurel Ridge

FastForward Credential programs offer short-term training to help Virginians secure in-demand jobs and competitive salaries. These programs, offered through Laurel Ridge and Virginia’s Community Colleges, allow eligible students to save up to 66 percent or more on tuition. With FastForward funding, students pay just one-third of the tuition cost, while employers can also take advantage of reduced tuition rates to upskill their workforce.

Program Areas Include:

• IT certifications (CompTIA, ITIL)
• Healthcare (Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, Medical Scribe)
• Trades (Electrical, HVAC, Welding, Construction)
• Transportation (Commercial Driver’s License)

Drayke Gibson: Advancing His IT Career Through CompTIA and FastForward Support

Drayke Gibson is hoping to take additional CompTIA classes at Laurel Ridge.

Drayke Gibson, an IT manager at the Middletown Data Center, has successfully leveraged CompTIA classes from Laurel Ridge Community College to enhance his career in IT. His passion for computers began at a young age, and after working in construction for a few years, he sought a career change. In 2019, he enrolled in CompTIA classes, including A+, Network+, Security+, and Project+, with two-thirds of his tuition covered by FastForward funding.

Gibson’s certifications significantly elevated his professional standing, allowing him to lead his department in ticket completions and customer satisfaction. He credits his instructors for their excellent teaching and support, which helped him secure his current position in the data center since 2021. With plans to pursue additional certifications like CompTIA Server+ and CompTIA Cloud+, Gibson remains dedicated to his ongoing IT education and professional growth.

Anthony Kitta has completed various IT programs at Laurel Ridge, and has plans to complete even more.

FastForward Funding Helps Anthony Kitta Transition to an IT Career

After years of juggling multiple jobs, Anthony Kitta knew it was time for a career change. Thanks to the FastForward funding available at Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions, Kitta pursued a new path in IT. In 2022, he began enrolling in CompTIA certification programs, including IT Fundamentals, A+ Core, and Network+. The FastForward program made this education accessible and affordable, helping him earn certifications that paved the way for a new role in IT support.

Kitta now works at Syntelligent Analytic Solutions, where he provides technical support and troubleshooting for clients. He credits Laurel Ridge’s dedicated instructors and flexible scheduling for helping him balance work and education. With plans to pursue more certifications, Kitta has found job security and fulfillment in a growing field, all made possible through FastForward funding.

Jazmine Sebestyen: Fast-Tracking Her Healthcare Career with FastForward Funding

Jazmine Sebestyen’s tuition was reduced by two-thirds thanks to FastForward funding.

Jazmine Sebestyen, a 2021 high school graduate, embarked on her healthcare journey at Laurel Ridge Community College after her family relocated to Front Royal. With a clear ambition to work in the medical field, she enrolled in two FastForward-funded credential classes: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy. Thanks to FastForward funding, Sebestyen only paid one-third of her tuition, significantly reducing her educational expenses.

Sebestyen embraced her courses, forming study groups and creating flashcards to master the material. The hands-on experience was invaluable, as she practiced blood pressure readings and phlebotomy techniques, gaining practical skills that directly translated to her current job at an urgent care center.

She described her time at Laurel Ridge as incredibly enjoyable and noted that the knowledge gained in these courses is applicable in her professional life. Sebestyen is enthusiastic about continuing her education, considering additional courses and aspiring to enroll in the Surgical Technology associate degree program.

With a starting salary of around $35,000-$37,000 for medical assistants, Sebestyen’s FastForward-funded education has set her on a promising career path in healthcare, showcasing the program’s impact on accessibility and success in the workforce.

FastForward Funding Helps Kareem Jenkins Pursue Healthcare Career

The pandemic drastically reduced Kareem Jenkins’ work hours, prompting him to rethink his future. Working as a pizza delivery driver and a school janitor, Jenkins realized he needed a more stable career. Motivated to make a change, he enrolled in Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions’ Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program.

Thanks to FastForward funding, Jenkins completed the accelerated program in just three months without paying out-of-pocket expenses. He now works at Lifetime Family Medicine, gaining valuable experience as he prepares to further his education and pursue a career as a registered nurse.

FastForward Funding Fuels Philip Park’s Journey to Plumbing Mastery and Career Success

Philip Park joined the U.S. Army Reserve in spring 2023.

Philip Park is setting himself up for success with the help of FastForward funding and training programs. After finishing his four-level Plumbing Apprenticeship through Workforce Solutions, Park is also pursuing a bachelor’s degree and serves in the U.S. Army Reserve. His journey into plumbing began when he helped his father’s plumbing business during the pandemic, sparking an interest in the trade.

Park enrolled in the Plumbing Apprenticeship program at Laurel Ridge in January 2022, completing it in early 2024. With FastForward funding, he was able to pay just one-third of the program’s total cost, making it more affordable to gain these valuable skills.

Grateful for his instructors, especially Darren McKinney and Raymond Anderson, Park plans to take the state exam to become a journeyman plumber and aims for the master plumber designation soon after.

In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Park joined the U.S. Army Reserve, which he views as an opportunity to protect his community while opening doors for his future career. He credits his faith in guiding him through these endeavors.

Thanks to FastForward funding and the plumbing apprenticeship, Park is well on his way to a bright future in both the plumbing industry and beyond.

The VCCS recommends an amendment to the 2024-2026 biennium budget to include an additional $144.7M to expand state-of-the-art career and technical programs and labs at all 23 community colleges.

Specifically:

Additionally:

Support funding the College and Career Ready Virginia Program and Fund, as established by HB 1087. While the program is being created, it currently lacks the any necessary funding. This fund is critical for offering dual-enrollment opportunities across Virginia’s high schools, allowing students to access college-level courses in their high schools at no cost.

Background

According to the Virginia Office of Education Economics:

• Virginia has over 150,000 openings annually for jobs requiring more education than high school, but less than a college degree.
• There are 2 million Virginia adults who have attained a high school diploma but have never enrolled in a college course or credential program.
• There are another 1.2 million Virginia adults who have started but have not completed a college credential or degree.
• Several of the most in-demand jobs in Virginia are in IT, healthcare, skilled trades, energy, advanced manufacturing, and engineering, which are also the most expensive educational programs to operate.

How additional funding will address these gaps:

• $90 million in one-time funds will be used to renovate, modernize, and expand state-of-the-art career and technical programs and equipment for labs, creating best-in-class training spaces for high-demand fields like energy, skilled trades, healthcare, and information technology.
  • Colleges will combine these funds with donations from private industry.
  • In a 2023 assessment of all 23 colleges, industry has already provided or offered formal commitments of $42.5 million to support high-demand programs.
• $46.2 million will be used to recruit, incentivize, and retain 220 additional highly skilled, industry-credentialed instructors.
  • In addition, funds will provide direct stipends to students in these high-demand programs, in an “earn while you learn” model.
• $8.5 million will pay to expand FastForward funding for students
  • Nearly 12,000 FastForward students were trained in the last fiscal year.
  • VCCS projects continued growth, averaging an annual 20-percent increase y in enrollments over the next five years, resulting in 15,000 to 18,000 new job-ready workers each year.
  • FastForward has a 95-percent program completion rate and 71-percent credential attainment rate.
  • 92 percent of graduates say their credentials are something employers want.

Overall Benefits & Outcomes:

• Increase Virginia’s Talent Pipeline
• Increase Economic Opportunity and Wages:
  • Students with associate degrees on average earn $12,200 more per year than students with just a high school diploma.
  • Students who earn FastForward credentials see a $9,350 average wage increase.
• Return on Investment:
  • 81 percent of Virginia Community College graduates stay in Virginia.
  • The VCCS creates $11.6 billion in total economic impact annually, including supporting 135,119 jobs.
  • FastForward graduates earn $4.5 billion in wages, thanks to a multi-year, cumulative $85 million investment from the state of Virginia.
  • Over 52,900 high-demand credentials have been earned through FastForward since 2016.
  • For every $1 invested in Virginia’s Community Colleges, taxpayers gain $2.70 in added tax revenue and public sector savings.
  • For every $1 a student invests in their VCCS education, they gain $5.70 in lifetime earnings.