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

 鈥淚 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,鈥� 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 91桃色 experience.

English professor Pamyla Yates has begun holding early morning Student Engagement hours in a computer lab 鈥� and via Zoom – for students to practice keyboarding. 鈥淥ver 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,鈥� 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 鈥淪tudents can also ask me any questions regarding English鈥� 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 91桃色. 鈥淚 appreciate her,鈥� 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鈥橞rien, 91桃色 Computer Science professor and program, said that the extra keyboarding instruction has been a 鈥渉uge boost for my students.鈥� He added, 鈥淲hile 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.鈥�

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More information and registration links

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鈥淔inding the right campus fit is vital to student success. There is nothing more reassuring to a student than feeling at home where they study,鈥� she explained. 鈥淭he 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.鈥�

Last month 32 91桃色 students visited the University of Virginia, as part of the university鈥檚 inaugural Transfer Visit. In addition to hosting 91桃色 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 91桃色 who were part of the UVA visit. They are both considering transfer to the McIntire College of Business.

鈥淭he 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,鈥� said Emilie.

Katrina agreed that the visit was a success and, 鈥淚 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!鈥�

As the most popular transfer destination for 91桃色 students, JMU is a frequent host for transfer tours. In February a group of 53 91桃色 students took the short trip to Harrisonburg to spend the day on campus. Rajan says that at JMU, 鈥渢he Transfer Student Panel and lunch on campus are always highlights of the visit!

Starting at 91桃色 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, 91桃色 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.

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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 鈥渟parked my passion for the trade,鈥� Justin explained.

Deciding that he would benefit from formal training, Justin enrolled in welding classes at Blue Ridge Community College. He wanted to focus on pipe welding and structural steel, and hoped to 鈥渟et myself apart and gain a true advantage in my trade鈥� 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 鈥渉ad a teaching style that was clear, relatable, and confidence-building.鈥�

As a student, Wiley said that Justin came to every class 鈥渙n a mission鈥� to become the best welder he could be. Wiley added, 鈥淗is 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!鈥�

After finishing his welding training, Justin knew he wanted to start his own business as a welder, but didn鈥檛 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 鈥淲elderBeast鈥� was born! The mobile welding business is Justin鈥檚 vision come to fruition.

鈥淏eing mobile allows me to meet clients where they are and handle a wide range of structural and fabrication needs on site,鈥� 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鈥檚 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.  

鈥淓very job鈥攂ig or small鈥攊s done with pride, precision, and a commitment to doing it right the first time.鈥�

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For her years of service to 91桃色 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鈥檚 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.”

Blue Ridge Community College is happy to honor and celebrate Mrs. Joyce Colemon!

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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. 鈥淭he 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.鈥� Donna then works to help connect students to the appropriate campus or community resources. 

She added, 鈥淪ince 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.鈥�

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, 鈥淭his 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.鈥�

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, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 have to worry if I can afford to eat, so that鈥檚 one thing off my mind to focus on other things.鈥�

Other SOAR services include:

Single Stop:

A free screening tool that assesses a student鈥檚 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鈥檚 also a place that students can share their feelings among peers and utilize self-care 鈥渏ourneys鈥� online.

Temporary Emergency Financial Assistance:

This program is available to 91桃色 students who meet defined eligibility requirements and demonstrate need through supporting documentation. 

91桃色 Cares:

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

The SOAR Center is funded by the 91桃色 Educational Foundation. Foundation Director Amy Kiger explained that tuition and book assistance 鈥� in the form of student scholarships 鈥� is a significant priority for the 91桃色 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.  鈥淲e 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.鈥�

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Our Student Services team will be here extra hours this week, this Saturday, and next week to help you get registered and ready for spring classes! Stop by the Enrollment Zone in the Houff Student Center:

January 12-16, open until 6 p.m.

Saturday, January 17, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

January 20-21, open until 6 p.m.

You can also get help through the .

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Virginia’s Community Colleges are inviting students to enter the 2025-2026 Visual Art Luminary and Poet Laureate Competition.聽 “I Dream” is the theme for 2025-2026 competitions.

The competitions provide students the opportunity to express themselves creatively, verbally and visually.  Each college will select its own poet laureate and visual art luminary. College winners will advance to the state competition, scheduled for March at Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke.

Both the Visual Art Luminary award and the Poet Laureate competition are open to all students who are enrolled at least part-time in adult education, dual enrollment/early college, workforce credential, certificate, or degree programs at a participating Virginia Community College in Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and/or Spring 2026.

The 91桃色 deadline to apply is February 8, 2026, with the .

Accepted works should be created in 2025 – early 2026.

Visual art works may include: drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics. We are unable to accept works of video, film, performance art, jewelry, or craft. Artworks created using artificial intelligence (AI-ART) are not eligible.

Poet Laureate works may be poems and prose poems. Works created with the assistance of artificial intelligence are not eligible.

For more details, including rules, visit the .

Contacts:

91桃色 Poet Laureate Coordinator: Alissa Cruz, cruza@brcc.edu

91桃色 Visual Art Luminary Coordinator: Jessica Martinkosky, martinkoskyj@brcc.edu

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Don鈥檛 know about Wintermester? It鈥檚 a four-week mini term included in the spring semester and a great way to pick up an online class during the winter break!
Classes run December 18, 2025 -January 14, 2026.

Classes offered this Wintermester include:

ADJ 110- Introduction to Law Enforcement

ART 100- Art Appreciation

BUS 100- Introduction to Business

CST 151 – Film Appreciation I

HIS 111- World Civilizations Pre-1500

HIS 122- United States History Since 1877

HLT 143- Medical Terminology

PHI 100- Introduction to Philosophy

PHI 220- Ethics and Society

PLS 135- U.S. Government & Politics

PSY 230 – Developmental Psychology

SDV 100- College Success Skills

SDV 101- Orientation to Nursing

MTH 245- Statistics I

Ready to take the next steps, or have questions about getting started? Stop by the Enrollment Zone located in the Houff Student Center (open Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) for assistance. And you can always start the conversation online by joining our . You can also email us at info@brcc.edu, or call 540-453-0264.

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The glass mosaic project was coordinated by local stained-glass artist Barbara Camph. She led the project with the goal of breaking the world record of the most people to collaboratively create a mosaic.

91桃色 was given one of 80 panels to design and complete. The current world record is 1,899 people. Barbara said that around 5,000 people have participated in the OASIS mosaic project so far!

Esther Villa, a business marketing student at 91桃色, participated in the panel. 鈥淚 think 91桃色’s finished mosaic will really shine once all the finished pieces are gathered. I am glad that I got to contribute a piece into history in the making,鈥� she said.

91桃色 added 261 total participants to that number, including 185 students and 76 employees!

The panels will be on display at OASIS through October. For more information, visit .

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