<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3RHx6g_1FPatBIk00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3RHx6g_1FPatBIk00" width="700" height="467" ><figcaption>NRCC practical nursing student Johnathan Throckmorton speaking at a recent NRCC nursing pinning ceremony</figcaption></figure>The New River Community College Educational Foundation recently launched a public fundraising campaign to support NRCC’s Pathways to Professions Program, a new initiative designed to help students transition successfully from college into the workforce by covering the costs of required licensures, certifications, and credentialing exams.The program addresses one of the most common financial barriers NRCC students face at the completion of their academic programs: the expense of professional exams often required for employment in high-demand career fields. By removing these costs, the initiative helps students complete the final step toward workforce entry and career success.The Pathways to Professions Program supports students who are enrolled in an approved NRCC program of study that requires or benefits from licensure or credentialing and are nearing program completion or preparing to enter the workforce.The NRCC Educational Foundation is currently conducting a fundraising campaign to fully endow the Pathways to Professions Program. The campaign goal is to raise $2 million that will provide long-term, sustainable support for students seeking licensure and certification assistance. The foundation has already surpassed the halfway mark, securing $1.1 million toward the initiative.“NRCC and the communities that support it have a long history of breaking down barriers between students and their educational and professional aspirations,” said Dr. Robert Brandon, NRCC president. “Visionary leaders such as Dr. Pat Huber and Ms. Angie Covey worked with community partners to create the ACCE program to ensure that any high school senior willing to give back to their communities could attend college tuition-free. The Pathways to Profession endowment serves as the perfect bookend to that groundbreaking program. It ensures that students who have worked hard to complete their degree requirements are not stopped just short of the finish line by a licensure expense they cannot afford. By covering these last-mile costs, this endowment and the generous people who have donated to it are helping students move from the classroom into meaningful, good-paying jobs.”A gift from the JoAnn M. Bingham Trust initiated the campaign, which kickstarted the foundation’s ability to cover the licensing and credentialing fees for all 2026 nursing graduates. Bingham was known for her charitable work in the New River Valley.The program is essential in supporting students who may otherwise struggle to come up with funds to pay for the necessary testing, potentially delaying future career plans. Two recent nursing graduates who benefited from the program noted the difference the assistance made to their success.“The Pathways to Professions assistance was a tremendous help in completing my educational journey toward becoming a nurse,” said Amber Lovern, recent NRCC practical nursing graduate. “Having the cost of my testing covered relieved a major financial stress and allowed me to focus more on preparing for my exam and reaching my goal of becoming an LPN. This assistance meant so much to me because every bit of financial support made a difference throughout nursing school, and knowing that I had help with this important final step gave me peace of mind and allowed me to finish my journey with one less financial burden.”“Receiving this assistance lifted a huge weight off my shoulders,” said recent practical nursing graduate Johnathan Throckmorton. “It allowed me to immediately apply for my nursing license and register for the NCLEX, the two biggest milestones to becoming a nurse.”The NRCC community is also invested in the success of this initiative. Dr. Jack Lewis, retired NRCC president, and his wife, Dr. Mary Ann Lewis, were early supporters of the Pathways to Professions campaign.“Mary Ann and I have always believed that education should lead directly to opportunity,” said Jack Lewis. “Through the Pathways to Professions Program, we are proud to help remove the final financial barriers students face by supporting the cost of critical licensure and credentialing exams. By doing so, we hope to accelerate graduates’ transition into the workforce and ensure they can begin their careers fully prepared and qualified.”Mary Ann Lewis added, “This program reflects our shared commitment to student success beyond the classroom. Helping students cover these essential post-graduation costs not only eases their financial burden but also strengthens our communities by enabling talented individuals to enter high-demand professions more quickly. We are honored to support a program that has such a meaningful and lasting impact on students’ futures.”The Gregory L. Stokley estate also supported the campaign for skilled trades credentialing through a generous endowment gift. This meaningful gift honors a lasting family connection to the college, as Stokley’s father once served as an NRCC instructor. The gift will help ensure that students pursuing careers in the trades can obtain the certifications needed.“On behalf of the NRCC Educational Foundation, I am deeply grateful to all who have contributed to this program through their extraordinary generosity and vision,” said Dr. Deborah Kennedy, NRCC Educational Foundation Executive Director. “Their support of the Pathways to Professions Program will have an immediate and lasting impact, helping our students achieve the credentials they need and confidently step into the workforce. It’s an inspiring investment in both our students and our region’s future.”The program may cover costs associated with healthcare licensure and credentialing exams, including nursing-related exams; skilled trades and technical certifications such as HVAC, welding, and machining; information technology certifications including CompTIA and Microsoft credentials; and business and professional licensure exams.By helping students obtain required credentials, the initiative supports regional workforce development efforts and strengthens the pipeline of qualified professionals entering the labor market.The initiative is funded through private donor support, grants, and community partnerships coordinated through the NRCC Educational Foundation. Contributions directly support students pursuing careers that meet critical workforce needs throughout the New River Valley and beyond.For more information about the Pathways to Professions Program or to support the initiative, visit New River Community College Foundation at www.nr.edu/foundation, call (540)674-3618, or email foundation@nr.edu.</div></body>

Block Source: NRVNews

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

The New River Community College Educational Foundation recently launched a public fundraising campaign to support NRCC’s Pathways to Professions Program, a new initiative designed to help students transition successfully from college into the workforce by covering the costs of required licensures, certifications, and credentialing exams. The program addresses one...

NRCC launches Pathways to Professions

NewsBreak

The New River Community College Educational Foundation recently launched a public fundraising campaign to support NRCC’s Pathways to Professions Program, a

NRCC launches Pathways to Professions

Comments