The Patrick County Education Foundation’s Patrick Promise program is just $110,000 away from being fully funded for its first three years, Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) President Dr. Greg Hodges announced during an update to the Patrick County Board of Supervisors.
“Frankly, we’re only $110,000 away from being able to launch what would be a tremendous opportunity and benefit for the students of Patrick County and for the citizens of Patrick County to stay local,” Hodges said.
Hodges explained the threefold purpose of the Patrick Promise, emphasizing its potential impact on the county.
“To decrease the population migration from Patrick County, to increase the post-high school credential attainment rates, and increase the economic attractiveness and workforce development potential of the Patrick County region in general,” he said.
The Patrick Promise is modeled after the SEED Program in Martinsville and Henry County, which provides free tuition to P&HCC for local students. Hodges said the Patrick Promise aims to offer the same opportunity for Patrick County residents.
Hodges commended Patrick County Public Schools for its strong high school graduation rates. In 2023, Patrick County ranked within the top 10 performing constituencies in the state of Virginia.
“You all have much to be proud of with your on-time high school graduation rates,” Hodges said. “It’s something you should celebrate and should be a point of great pride.”
However, post-high school credential attainment rates in Patrick County tell a different story.
The national rate for adults aged 18 to 64 with post-secondary credentials was 53.7% in 2023, while Virginia’s rate stood at 59.3%. Patrick County lagged significantly at 28.8%, ranking 105th out of Virginia’s 133 municipalities.
“The Patrick County rate is, of course, about half of the Virginia average,” Hodges said, adding that the gap is widening. “Of the 133 municipalities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Patrick County ranks 105th, which is lower than all surrounding constituencies,” he said.
Another fact that’s troubling, Hodges said, is the fact the national and Virginia rates are growing faster than the Patrick County rates.
“We want to put that in context for you that the aim here is to see how we, Patrick & Henry Community College and the Patrick County Education Foundation, can help solve this to make sure we are educating the citizens to get the good paying jobs that keep them local,” he said.
To help with this, Hodges said P&HCC has considerably spread its footprint in Patrick County with the P&HCC Stuart site, the welding lab and the powerline training program at Patrick County High School, the Baliles and Reynolds Learning Center that offers multiple programs and certifications, and the upcoming 2025 heavy equipment operator training program.
These initiatives aim to address workforce development needs and provide local opportunities for higher education and training.
Hodges estimated the funding needed for Patrick Promise is $45,000 in the first year, $90,000 for year two, and $135,000 annually starting in year three.
“Currently, just over 50 percent of the students from Patrick County already attend at a cost that’s free to the family,” Hodges said. “What we’re seeking to do is to incentivize students to remain locally by getting to that 100 percent.”
The Foundation requires three years of funding before launching the program and has raised $160,000 so far. Efforts to secure the remaining $110,000 include fundraising and community outreach.
“The Patrick County Education Foundation decided that they wanted the first three years in place before they launched that program. We wanted to have the first three years of funding before we launched, and we’re at the $160,000 mark,” Hodges said.
The Patrick County Education Foundation, founded in 2001 by former Virginia Gov. Gerald Baliles, who was a Patrick County native, and other community leaders, initially focused on raising high school graduation rates in the county.
“They had a 10-year goal that the high school/GED rates in Patrick County would exceed rural communities in Virginia, and they accomplished that goal well under the 10 years,” Hodges said.
After achieving this milestone, the Foundation turned its attention to post-secondary credential attainment about five years ago. “The Patrick Promise was born out of that – how does Patrick County Education Foundation help accelerate post high-school graduate rates so that Patrick County citizens can take advantage of economic opportunity,” he said.
Hodges noted that Baliles, a driving force behind the initiative, passed away shortly after its inception.
He encouraged community members to support the initiative and shared testimonials from students who have benefited from similar programs.
To learn more or donate to the Patrick Promise, visit Patrick & Henry Community College Foundation’s website.
