By Sian Wilkerson

A new dual-admission program launched by Virginia Commonwealth University and Reynolds Community College will provide ongoing support to eligible community college students as they navigate toward a bachelor’s degree at VCU.

The NEXT Step VCU program – NEXT stands for Navigating Educational Excellence Together – connects community college students to support resources from their future university as they transfer to VCU upon completion of their associate degree.

Today, VCU and Reynolds, the first NEXT Step VCU partner, marked the program’s launch with a signing ceremony on Reynolds’ downtown campus.

“This exciting new partnership with Reynolds Community College will establish a comprehensive support network for students,” said Seth Sykes, Ph.D., associate vice president for transfer initiatives and programs in VCU’s division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success. “Eligible students will become members of the VCU family as they complete their studies at community college, prepare for a successful transition to VCU and plan for a career after graduation.”

NEXT Step VCU offers benefits to make the transfer process as seamless as possible, including cost savings through transfer pathways and credit guarantees as well as personalized academic advising, community-building opportunities and transition services. Students also will be eligible for a waiver of VCU’s application fee and a VCU ID, granting access to VCU’s library services, campus facilities and cultural events.

“VCU and Reynolds Community College have long worked closely together to support our students and smooth their transition from community college to VCU,” said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. “The NEXT Step VCU partnership will allow us to do even more for transfer students, offering earlier advising and guidance from the very beginning of their college careers to help them transition from Reynolds to VCU and complete their degrees on time.

“Our students are motivated and driven to succeed, and this is an excellent way we can help support their success.”

Reynolds President Paula Pando, Ed.D., noted that Reynolds graduates have “long chosen VCU as their top transfer destination. NEXT Step VCU gives students a direct, efficient path from Red Hawks to Rams, with dual admission, early access to VCU resources and the chance to save time, avoid excess credits and graduate ready for what’s next,” she said. “Together, we are developing the talent that powers the Richmond region.”

With pathways to 25 degree programs, NEXT Step VCU offers distinctive transfer maps that help students save money by guiding them to complete two years of their bachelor’s degree at community college. Organizers plan to increase the number of pathways to other VCU degree programs and expand NEXT Step to other community colleges beginning in January.

The program’s first cohort will enroll around 50 to 100 students. The goal is to increase that number in subsequent years.

Students may indicate their interest by submitting a declaration form, available on the NEXT Step VCU program website through Oct. 1.

To be considered eligible, students must meet a number of requirements, including holding a high school diploma or GED, attending Reynolds, earning a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade-point average on their first 12 community college credits and completing no more than 30 college credits at the time of application.