As part of their ongoing efforts to support the higher education pursuits of students living in Patrick County, Patrick County Education Foundation (PCEF) members held a community business leader’s meeting on October 10, 2024 at Patrick & Henry Community College’s (P&HCC) Baliles and Reynolds Learning Center in Stuart.
Attendees heard from PCEF Chair Dr. Stewart Roberson and P&HCC President and PCEF Executive Director Dr. Greg Hodges on the status of Patrick Promise, the organization’s fund dedicated to providing free tuition to Patrick County students attending P&HCC.
“As of 2023, Patrick County ranked in the top 10 on-time high school graduation rates in the Commonwealth, but 105 of 133 counties/cities in Virginia for post-high school educational attainment rates,” shared Hodges, adding, “We are dedicated to helping every community member obtain good paying jobs with family sustaining wages in Patrick County.”
P&HCC has experienced significant expansion in Patrick County, providing general education/transfer courses at their Stuart site, welding courses at Patrick County High School for both dual-enrollment students during the day and students 18+ in the evening, a powerline worker training program offered in partnership with Wytheville Community College, and Mechatronics, Industry 4.0 and Festo Industry certification courses at The Baliles and Reynolds Learning Center. The addition of Heavy Equipment Operator training will take place in February 2025.
Based on current P&HCC enrollment, PCEF has established student tuition support Patrick Promise fund goals of $45,000 for year 1, $90,000 for year 2, and $135,000 for year 3 (and each year thereafter). With a total of $270,000 needed to launch Patrick Promise, PCEF is well on its way with a current balance of $160,175.68.
“Patrick Promise will operate in the same way The SEED Fund supports P&HCC students living in Martinsville and Henry County. We believe that Patrick County students are well worth our investment and we invite and encourage business and community members to join us in supporting their education so that they are equipped to support the continued growth of our area,” said PCEF Board Chair Dr. Stewart Roberson.
To donate to Patrick Promise, visit bit.ly/PCEFpatrickpromise
About Patrick Promise: Patrick Promise is designed to increase post-high school credential attainment rates, decrease or eliminate population decline, and increase the economic attractiveness and workforce development potential of Patrick County.
To learn more about the benefits to students, hear from recent P&HCC students who were able to attend for free to them and their families thanks to scholarships like Patrick Promise:
