New higher ed campaign has TCC president’s endorsement
Tidewater Community College President Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani said today that she endorses a new statewide initiative to highlight the value of Virginia colleges and universities to the Commonwealth’s economy.
The newly launched Growth4VA campaign will focus on promoting reform and reinvestment in Virginia’s higher education system. The campaign, backed by a partnership of higher education and business leaders, aims to help grow the Virginia economy, expand access to education and job opportunities for all Virginians, and regain Virginia’s No. 1 ranking for business.
The campaign will offer practical policies and creative ideas focused on four strategies:
- Make Virginia the Top State for Talent
- Become recognized as the Home of Innovators and Entrepreneurs
- Prepare Virginians for Great Jobs and Great Lives
- Provide Affordable Access for All Virginians
Two of the strategies play to TCC’s strengths, Kolovani said.
Great Jobs for Great Lives: TCC’s academic and career-technical programs prepare students for good jobs in key Hampton Roads industries, including cybersecurity; maritime and ship repair; automotive; culinary and hospitality; health care; and advanced manufacturing.
“Ninety-eight percent of alumni who responded to a recent survey say TCC prepared them well for their eventual careers, and 83 percent remained in the region even if they went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree,” Kolovani said.
Affordable Access: As one of Virginia’s Community Colleges, TCC’s tuition is less than half that of Virginia’s four-year schools, and much less costly than for-profit institutions. Three out of five TCC graduates have no student debt.
“We aspire to make college debt-free for every citizen in South Hampton Roads who wants an education,” Kolovani said. “That is a key priority for our current fundraising campaign.”
She added, “I will be pleased to join my fellow college presidents in reinforcing these key messages with all of Virginia’s citizens, and especially in the communities TCC serves.”
About Growth4VA
Growth4VA, a campaign of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council, has been endorsed by all 15 of Virginia’s public higher education institutions and the Virginia Community College System. To learn more about the Growth4VA campaign, including the current economic impact of Virginia’s higher education system and the Growth4VA coalition’s plans for expanding economic growth and opportunity in Virginia, visit www.Growth4VA.com.