With state funding being lessened each year and enrollment seeming to decline just as quickly, the growth of Virginia’s community colleges as a whole has been at a virtual standstill.

However, this is not the case for Rappahannock Community College, as its president Elizabeth “Sissy” Crowther announced the local college was one of three in the Virginia Community College System that saw an increase in enrollment when classes began last month.

Crowther said several things have come into play at the college that has helped to boost its enrollment, including better pathways for high school students to come to the college through dual enrollment courses offered at local high schools.

“We also have exceptional leadership in the student services area of the school,” Crowther said. “We’re now able to better identify students’ needs and match whatever assistance is available for that need.”

Adding to that, Crowther said the college is ab...