Commending the Virginia Community College System.

Commending the Virginia Community College System.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 2, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 5, 2026
WHEREAS, for 60 years, the Virginia Community College System has expanded access to education and empowered Virginians with the skills they need to support their families and uplift their communities; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Community College System was established in 1966 with two colleges, Virginia Western Community College and Northern Virginia Community College, serving 7,500 students; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Community College System has grown to encompass 23 colleges in every region of the Commonwealth serving 230,000 students annually, which represents 46 percent of all public undergraduate enrollment in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Community College System supports students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds, from high school students in dual enrollment programs to individuals pursuing a two-year degree or building a foundation for a four-year degree, as well as lifelong learners; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Community College System students have achieved success in a wide range of career fields, and 81 percent of graduates stay in Virginia and continue to play a role in the Commonwealth's vibrant economy; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Community College System is the only higher education organization that can support region-wide or state-wide workforce training for employers; the system works with employers in various industries to anticipate workforce needs and develop innovative solutions; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Community College System's FastForward short-term workforce credential program has served more than 65,000 students seeking employment with in-demand industries and generated more than $6.3 billion in wages; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Community College System generates approximately $11.6 billion in annual economic impact and directly supports more than 135,000 jobs every year; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Community College System plans to continue investing in state-of-the-art facilities and programs and leveraging the collective strengths of its colleges to deliver greater impact, efficiency, accountability, and return on investment both for students and the Commonwealth as a whole; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Community College System on the occasion of its 60th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Community College System as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's commitment to affordable, accessible education and legacy of contributions to the Commonwealth.