By Taylor Boyd
Patrick County students will soon be able to attend Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) for up to two and a half years at no cost to their families through the new Patrick Promise program launched by the Patrick County Education Foundation (PCEF).
The first group of Patrick Promise students will be those graduating in the spring of 2026.
P&HCC President Dr. Greg Hodges said the Patrick Promise is a “last dollar” funding program.
“That means all other aid — federal, state and scholarships — will apply first, and the Patrick Promise will fill in the balance,” he said.
Like other P&HCC Promise programs, it covers tuition, textbooks and fees for up to two and a half years for graduates of public, private, home school, or GED programs.
“Recent graduates who choose to attend P&HCC the semester after they graduate will be able to earn their credential at what we say is no cost to the family,” Hodges said. “We avoid calling it ‘free’ because somebody is paying for it — and in this case, it’s coming from the generosity of many donors you see in the building today and others who have been so gracious with their resources.”
The program’s current funds are expected to support students for the next three years.
“While we are thrilled to announce that we’ve raised the first three years, we know that more is yet to come,” Hodges said. “The work is just beginning.”
The PCEF is already raising resources for year four and beyond. Hodges estimated the program will cost about $150,000 annually.
“Every penny you give goes directly to the project,” he said. “No one receives a salary, and there is no overhead. The P&HCC Foundation serves as the fiscal partner, so every dime goes directly to the project.”
An anonymous estate has already bequeathed $79,033.22 to the program.
“That means we’ve raised half of year four already,” Hodges said.
PCEF Chairman Dr. Stewart Robertson said the foundation was formed 25 years ago by Gov. Gerald Baliles, Dr. Rick Cole, Joe Vipperman and himself to strengthen Patrick County’s education system.
“We wanted to move Patrick from one of the lowest-ranked localities in Virginia to the top five in high school diploma and GED attainment,” Robertson said. “We wanted to increase the number of students seeking post-high school education and to create more workforce training programs.”
The group gave itself 10 years to succeed but met those goals in five, Robertson said.
After helping expand similar efforts statewide, PCEF began partnering closely with P&HCC to align its programs and expand opportunities for local students.
“Just before he passed away in 2019, Gov. Baliles exhorted the PCEF Board to embrace a simple but audacious idea,” Robertson said. “If talent is universal — and he believed Patrick County talent was universal — but opportunity is not, then let’s change the opportunity.”
That idea became the Patrick Promise.
Robertson said the program was built “the Patrick County way,” with donations from alumni, business leaders, civic groups, and faith communities.
He added that the announcement comes as Patrick County schools are performing strongly statewide.
“Our educators and staff have positioned our students to be ready,” Robertson said. “The Patrick Promise ensures they can take the next step without the barrier of cost.”
Patrick County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jonathan Wood, of the Peters Creek District, said the county supports its students by participating in the Promise.
“We know the importance of post-high school training and education to help not only the individual person, but our community as a whole,” he said. “This opportunity will create a workforce of well-trained individuals that will help us become the county for new businesses, business growth, and job opportunities.”
By removing the financial burden of continuing education, Wood said the Promise creates a level playing field for the county’s youth.
“Post-secondary education is essential to allow students to have more career opportunities, higher salaries and room to grow,” he said. “As the job market constantly becomes more competitive, students must earn a high school diploma and pursue further education or training to be of interest to employers.”
Patrick County Schools Superintendent Jason Wood said the Patrick Promise is more than tuition assistance — it’s a promise of “opportunity, equity and belief in our students. It tells our young people: you matter, your future matters, and your community stands behind you,” he said.
As educators, Wood said, teachers and administrators see the hopes and challenges of students. “Whatever their path, the Patrick Promise ensures that the door to higher education remains open,” not closed “behind financial barriers, but defined by our youth and their purpose.”
Del. Wren Williams, R-Stuart, said the program will give students a valuable boost in education and technical training — and the chance to do it locally.
“Regularly, I brag on P&HCC at the Richmond level,” Williams said. “People are aware of it and of the education that’s provided in our schools’ programs and how well they do.”
Williams said the Patrick Promise “is a big deal” for the county and its students.
“Going forward, I hope to continue to support it in any way we can, both at the local and state level,” he said.
Patrick County students interested in the program may contact their school-based career coach or P&HCC SEED Coordinator & Transfer Advisor Megan Willis at (276) 656-0348 or mwillis@patrickhenry.edu.
P&HCC will host a Patrick Promise Night at its Stuart site auditorium on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m.
Registration Day will be held on April 22 at Patrick County High School.
More information is available at www.patrickhenry.edu/paying-for-college/pcefs-patrick-promise-fund.
Donations can be made at tinyurl.com/bddjnppw or by contacting Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement and P&HCC Foundation Executive Director Tiffani Underwood at (276) 656-0281 or tunderwood@patrickhenry.edu.
