Rappahannock Community College is all about meeting students where they are both in life and academically, and no one knows that better than the president of RCC, Dr. Shannon L. Kennedy.
“We serve everybody,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy has served as president of the community college since 2019. Before arriving at RCC, Kennedy served in many roles at Cleveland Community College in North Carolina, including executive vice president.
“We need to make sure they [the students] are prepared when they leave us,” said Kennedy.
Each student is assigned a college navigator who helps guide them through course selections, financial aid and anything else they may need. RCC practices a “culture of care” and is there to help students, whether they are degree seeking, interested in workforce training, gaining credits for a certificate program, or striving towards any other goal they wish to achieve.
RCC starts early by implementing high school navigators at each high school in the areas it services. The navigators work with students early in their senior year to help the transition between high school and college run smoothly. Before students graduate, they are provided with their schedule for the fall semester. Navigator positions are almost entirely grant-funded.
The Glenns campus has remained busy with some summer courses available for students, as well as health and science-based camps for middle and high school students.
With the fall semester beginning shortly, RCC is gearing up to welcome back students with changes on the horizon.
RCC’s new program, the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, begins this fall at the New Kent site.
At the Glenns campus, the large on-site warehouse is currently being transformed into the new diesel mechanics technology classroom for this fall. Welding will eventually also be placed there.
“We’re really working on our technical programs,” said Kennedy.
RCC is also preparing its food pantry for the fall. Approximately 300 to 400 students utilize the food pantry. RCC also creates grab-and-go meals and quick breakfasts for students.
“We know a student that is hungry does not perform well,” she said.
RCC is also renovating its student services area to “make things as functional as we can,” according to Kennedy.
Students are also encouraged to begin applying for financial aid as soon as they can, and there is more financial assistance available now more than ever before.
In her past four years at the college, Kennedy has enjoyed getting to know students, staff and the community.
“I love the atmosphere here,” she said. “I love the region.”
Originally from Baltimore, Kennedy has a Doctor of Education in Adult and Community College Education from North Carolina State University, a Master of Arts in English Education from Gardner-Webb University and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Millersville University.