Richmond, VA - Anne Holton continued her tour of community colleges and universities today with stops at Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) and Christopher Newport University (CNU). At both visits, Holton shared Governor Kaine’s commitment to building a talent economy by making higher education and workforce development programs accessible and affordable for all Virginians.
“Tim served as governor during the worst national recession since the Great Depression and he had to make tough choices to keep Virginia moving forward,” said Holton. “He cut more than $5 billion in spending to get the Commonwealth’s budget balanced, but he also made important investments in key areas like workforce development and higher education to strengthen the economy for the long term.”
Holton also discussed Kaine’s approach to improving education, from pre-k to higher ed and workforce development programs. As governor, Kaine increased pre-k enrollment by 40 percent, designated nine career and technical education programs as Governor’s Academies, and worked with members of both parties to pass a record higher education bond package.
“Tim is passionate about talent issues and is committed to investing in education to develop a talent economy,” said Holton. “He understands that we need to invest in colleges and universities, workforce development programs, and career and technical education if we want our graduates to be prepared to compete in a globally competitive job market.”
The colleges Holton visited each benefitted from the higher education bond package Kaine helped pass as governor in 2008. TNC received funding to renovate the Hampton III building, which houses science labs including a state-of-the-art nursing lab, and CNU constructed new facilities including Forbes Hall, which includes science and technology labs, and the under construction Luter Hall, future site of the business school.
Previous stops on Holton's college tour across Virginia include visits to Tidewater Community College (Virginia Beach Campus), Norfolk State University, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College (Woodbridge Campus), Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, Northern Virginia Community College (Annandale Campus), Rappahannock Community College, Paul D. Camp Community College, John Tyler Community College, the College of William and Mary, Richard Bland College, Virginia Western Community College, Virginia State University and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (Parham Campus).
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