Chancellor Dore of the Virginia Community College System briefed the Education Subcommittee on enrollment trends, workforce-aligned program growth and a multi-part budget request aimed at expanding capacity for high-cost career programs. “Virginia's community colleges are present and active in every corner of the Commonwealth,” Dore said.

Dore reported that fall enrollment rose “by 9.4% over the fall of 2021,” and that Fast Forward enrollment has increased 127% over its 2017 baseline. She said the system served “over 232,000 students across the Commonwealth” last year and estimated an $11,600,000,000 annual economic impact tied to community college activity. Dore emphasized that VCCS graduates remain in-state: “over 81% of the students that go through a Virginia Community College will stay and work their career here in Virginia.”

To expand capacity for high-cost programs such as health care, skilled trades and manufacturing, the system’s amended operating request includes $90,000,000 in one-time funding to transform spaces and $46,200,000 in additional ongoing state support, Dore said. She described these programs as the most expensive to deliver because of equipment and lab costs and framed the investments as aligned with Commonwealth workforce priorities.

Dore also urged sustained funding for dual enrollment through the proposed $35,000,000 College and Career Ready Fund, which would support no-cost dual-enrollment for students and school divisions. She highlighted that 55,000 high school students currently receive college credit through dual enrollment and noted that Fast Forward provides a pathway to “high paying, high demand jobs” while supplying talent for Virginia employers.

On funding parity, Dore said community colleges are the lowest-funded higher-education institutions in the state and cited a per-FTE funding ratio: “For every $1 that goes to a 4 year public university in Virginia, the VCCS receives 57¢ per full time equivalent student.” Dore framed the funding requests as necessary steps to meet the system’s strategic goals, including delivering 300,000 degrees and credentials and 30,000 job-ready workers through Fast Forward by 2030. She thanked the General Assembly for prior capital investments and asked for continued support. No formal votes or motions were recorded during the presentation.