Donald Cooper is One of Ten

Meet Donald Cooper -
One of Ten Valley Proteins Fellows Program Recipients

Donald Cooper is one of 10. Of the more than 250,000 students served by the Virginia Community College System, he was one of only 10 selected as a Valley Proteins Fellow. That’s impressive. And even more impressive, this is the second year in a row a Reynolds student has been chosen for this prestigious program.

“I am very grateful for the honor. I was up against a lot of candidates and the application process was a bit intimidating,” says Cooper. “Reynolds provided me with the tools and the opportunities, like the Valley Proteins program, to get an education.” The scholarship, combined with professional development, travel, and cultural opportunities, has an approximate value of $15,000.

The core mission of the Valley Proteins Fellows Program is to help promising, second-year students at Virginia’s community colleges pursue their academic goals and strengthen their leadership skills. In addition to receiving full tuition, book expenses and fees, the Fellows participate in a unique curriculum of intellectual and cultural activities. The Fellows also participate in 80 hours of community service during the academic year to hone their leadership abilities and develop a strong foundation for future success, while maintaining a required minimum 3.5 grade point average.

“Receiving this fellowship has alleviated some of the financial stress I was feeling about how to pay for my education. And what’s priceless is that it has already given me the incredible opportunity to go to the governor’s mansion and meet Governor Terry McAuliffe. I shook the governor’s hand and thanked him for supporting the Virginia Community College System.”

The fellows program is made possible through the generous support of Valley Proteins, Inc. The Winchester-based company has been in the rendering business for more than 60 years and currently operates plants in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. The management of Valley Proteins is committed to outstanding corporate citizenship, excellent customer service, technological innovation and support for the community college mission.

President of Valley Proteins, Inc. Gerald Smith, Jr., said, “My brother and I are pleased to support the Valley Proteins Fellows program because it provides us with the opportunity to develop a more educated and competitive Virginia.”

For a student who readily admits only a few years ago his goals weren’t so lofty, Cooper has come a long way and gives Reynolds the credit for his growth. He plans to graduate from Reynolds in May 2018 as a Business and Social Science major, before continuing his education in economics, finance or law at the University of Virginia, University of Richmond, or William and Mary. Cooper says, “I’d like to be the person who shows others that opportunities are out there and waiting if only they will put forth the effort to pursue them.”

“The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education is dedicated to expanding opportunities by leveraging partnerships,” said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia Community College System. “This program is a great example of the synergy that comes from joining together employers that are vested in the quality of tomorrow’s Virginia workforce and the community colleges that elevate it every day.”

Meet Meghan Clancy NOW! While you can!

Meet Reynolds Honors Student
Meghan Clancy

Really. Meet Meghan now. While she is still at Reynolds. She is someone you want to know. And as fast as she is moving in life, when she graduates in the Spring of 2018 you may not be able to catch up with her. She will be gone.

Here is the kind of person Meghan is: to get over her fear of heights she went sky diving. She used her new found confidence during a summer service learning trip out west with Richmond Public Middle Schoolers. On a cliff diving adventure in Sedona, Arizona she literally talked a frightened student off a ledge, encouraging her to “jump” because she explained to the terrified girl, “If you can do this, you can do ANYTHING in your life.” She held her hand and they jumped.

These days Meghan is too busy to be afraid of anything. In January she will return to the floor of the Virginia General Assembly for her second internship. This year she will be helping to process amendments and will witness lawmaking up close and personal. This position is a perfect fit for Meghan: her goal is to become a Constitutional lawyer.

In addition to her internship, Meghan has a work study in the Reynolds Career, and Transfer Center. She is a student ambassador, a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, a volunteer for the American Civil Liberties Union, and Hands on Richmond, and a student representative on the Reynolds Honors Steering Committee.

Where does her schooling fit in? “I am really motivated to get through my studies. All of my classes are at night after a full day at work. Most of them are Honors classes. And I do most of my homework on the weekends so I can come prepared to engage with the class lectures. I am okay missing an event or spending time with my friends in order to study a little harder and work toward an A. I have an end-goal in mind and don’t want to put it off.”

Meghan sailed through her high school gifted classes in Portland, Maine. But, when it came to college she put on the brakes. She thought a four-year school was her only option, but when she looked at the cost she got sticker shock. She was even more afraid of going into debt than she was of heights. Plus, she didn’t know what she wanted to do. So she went to work.

Life events brought Meghan to Richmond. Curiosity brought her to the Reynolds website. She read about the Honors Program, she read about transfer options, she calculated the cost, and she registered. The rest, as they as, is history. “The Reynolds Honors Program has given me the space to find out who I am and what I want to do. I have been able to explore fields of interest I might not have gotten to explore, and in the process I have set my goals and am on my way.” And Meghan has not looked back.

“One of my greatest challenges has been to accept that not everything I work for is easy to get. Some subjects, like biology, are hard for me. I have had to learn to ask the right questions to succeed. Now, when faced with tough material I ask myself: “How can I be better at this? How can I learn this?” It’s a whole new way of thinking.” Critical thinking like this is the first pillar of the Reynolds Honors Program.

When asked about a fun personal fact Meghan would want others to know about her, she shared this: “I was a Maine State Champion in softball (catcher and shortstop) and cheerleading, and I have visited 32 state capitols.”

Really. Meet Meghan now, while you have the opportunity. Anyone who has visited 32 state capitols and has interned for the Virginia General Assembly has some stories to tell.

Reynolds Honors Videos

Reynolds Honors Program Orientation Video



Meghan C: Her Reynolds Experience

Meet Reynolds Honors Student Jeremiah Meadows

What brought you to Reynolds?

I was enrolled in courses at the community college in my hometown, in the Harrisonburg, Virginia area. Then, I moved to Chesterfield with my significant other. When planning to transfer, I was torn between Reynolds and another local college, but chose Reynolds because of its convenient downtown location, and because I felt that I more closely identified with Reynolds’ values.

What sparked your interest in your field of study?

As I am ultimately interested in a law degree, I have recognized the qualities and skills that I possess that will be beneficial to me as an attorney. Additionally, I very closely followed the marriage equality case that was argued in the U.S. Supreme Court in June of 2015. I am an LGBTQ+ ally and that case was life-changing for some of my friends and their families. I took notice of the major change that the Supreme Court was able to create through the law, and I wanted to participate in that in the future. My baccalaureate studies at VCU this spring in Political Science and Philosophy will prepare me for law school and for creating change through the U.S. government.

What is the best part of participating in the Honors Program at Reynolds?

The more engaging course content has been excellent, and I am always pleased about the foundation that the honors program creates for student-professor professional relationships. When I spent more time at the Parham campus in the spring, I also really enjoyed the community hours that provided me with a space to socialize and have academic conversations with my peers in my honors cohort.

When you aren’t studying or working, what do you like to do for fun?

I enjoy watching television or film dramas and comedies that often provide me with content that engages my analytical and philosophical mind, where I will question the implications of the characters actions, the content of the narrative, or the writer’s choices for the scene. Otherwise, I may spend time with friends, play a video game, or refine my skill for photography.

What is your greatest struggle as a student?

Generally, it is my anxiety disorder and lower self-esteem that cause me the greatest issues in my studies. My work and achievements in my classes show that I am successful, however my battle with self-doubt is ongoing. For that, I seek help from a counselor and through quality self-improvement videos on YouTube that assist me in re-training my brain for a healthier opinion of myself. Otherwise, it can sometimes feel like I don't have enough hours in the day to complete my assigned coursework. So, my time-management and task 'triage' skills are heavily engaged with some regularity.

What is the best class you have taken and why?

Ethics Philosophy was a very fulfilling course for me. I was quite in tune with the content and themes of the class. Questions that I couldn’t formulate before were answered. I was taught to avoid logical fallacies so that my reasoning will be stronger, and the ethical principles that I learned help guide me in my actions and judgements every day with more confidence and conviction.

Where would you most like to travel?

I would like to visit Sweden. I find that they have a fantastic society and culture with which I closely identify. I think I would be very happy to live there and be a part of the community with their strong social programs and respectful atmosphere. Also, many musicians that I like are from the Sweden/Scandinavian area.

Where do you want to go from here?

My transfer to VCU this Spring (2018) is underway, where I will double-major in Political Science and Philosophy. After that, my course could change or divert. Currently, I wish to attend Harvard Law School after I receive my baccalaureate degree. However, I could find myself on an academic path toward a deeper pursuit of philosophical study where I may go to graduate school for the discipline. My primary goal for my future career is to work toward eliminating the stark socioeconomic inequality that exists both inside and outside of the United States.

Meet Honors Student Ecaterina Svera

What brought you to Reynolds?

I am international student, and I have always wanted to move and create a life for myself in the US. Since some family of mine lives in Richmond, I was looking into what colleges this city can offer. I knew that starting at a 4-year university would overwhelm me with the completely new to me environment, and a community college with a much smaller student to professor ratio would be a great fit for me, and this is how I found out about Reynolds Community College.

What sparked your interest in your field of study?

I am currently a student in the major of Business Administration here at Reynolds, and what attracted me to it is how absolutely universal the knowledge you get in this major is, and how important it is when trying to find employment. America is the land of opportunities related to starting and developing businesses, and it's a field in which you can utilize a vast array of skills.

What is the best part of participating in the Honors Program at Reynolds?

Probably my favorite thing about the Honors Program at Reynolds is the community it has formed. It has a high concentration of proactive students who are willing to get invested on the campus, and the connections and possibilities that I got just from knowing a handful of Honors students are uncountable. Thanks to the people I came to know through the Honors Program, I applied and got accepted for the position of Student Ambassador on campus, and also am officer of 2 clubs: the International Student Club and the Honors Student Group.

When you aren’t studying or working, what do you like to do for fun?

I'm a very much so a couch potato kind of person, my favourite recreational activity is watching my favorite television shows, reading and drawing.

What is your greatest struggle as a student?

My greatest struggle as a student is probably my struggle with myself. It's the eternal tale of students chasing after deadlines, despite putting in a lot of effort to get ahead of your work. I would not be surprised if students in Ancient Greece complained about not finishing their tablets about poetry on time. Student life has taught me a lot of responsibilities, the most important one being the responsibility over oneself.

What is the best class you have taken and why?

My favourite class I have taken so far must be the Honors section Biology with professor Neal. Despite it being way outside my field of study, I have discovered that it's a thing I enjoy and can be good at if I put in the effort. It was a challenging class to get through because of its material, but the professor was nothing but open to class discussion, and it proved for very stimulating and fun classes.

Where would you most like to travel?

I have traveled to several places already, mostly European countries, and I wish I had the chance to visit something more distant from what I have seen already. My most outstanding travel so far has been Dubai, which contains a radically different culture from what I have experienced so far, so I would love to travel to a very distant place, like eastern/south eastern Asian countries for example.

Where do you want to go from here?

I intend on transferring to the VCU School of Business, to either the Information Systems or Marketing majors.

Reynolds Honors Students Travel to Virginia Collegiate Honors Council Planning Conference

Written by Reynolds Honor Student Kofi Riddick

As a Reynolds Honor student, over the weekend of October 13 and 14, 2017 I traveled to Virginia Tech to attend the Virginia Collegiate Honors Council planning conference. Our objective, as students, was to brainstorm ideas for a theme to be on display at the 2018 VCHC Spring conference. 

It was a marvelous experience getting to know students from other schools that shared some of the same values that I do. One of the topics of conversation that resonated with me was what it meant to be an Honors student. Of course working hard in the classroom is encouraged and expected, but we chose to dive deeper than that. My fellow students and I attempted to define "service learning". Part of the planning conference was devoted to figuring out how we could incorporate a learning project into the schedule of the Spring Conference.

I met some powerful young scholars who care about making a difference in their communities. As college students, we tend to get caught up in the world of grades and the pressure of finding a job. This conference broadened my perspective as I reflected on the importance of utilizing my degree to help others and using my profession to make an impact on those around me. Most of all, I thoroughly enjoyed being there among other top students. It made me feel as if I am on the right path and that Reynolds Honors Program is a catalyst for placing students in environments extremely conducive to higher learning. 


More about the 2017 VCHC Fall Conference 

Reynolds Honors students attended Virginia's Collegiate Honors Council Fall Conference at Virginia Tech on October 13th -14th.  Current Honors students Kofi Riddick, Meghan Clancy, Madeleine Kerns, Na Le, and Grace Swal talked with faculty from the Virginia Tech Honors College, took a tour of the campus and helped plan 2018 VCHC Spring Conference, which will be part of the larger Southern Regional Honors Council conference being held at Northern Virginia Community College in Spring 2018. The students also connected with former Reynolds Honors student, Alexander Nwogu, who is now pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He spoke to the students about his experience on his first semester and his transition transferring to Tech. The conference brought together faculty and students from Honors programs across the state, including VCU, Virginia Weslyan, Radford, and Old Dominion University.

Photo Above: Honors Program students arriving at the VCHC Fall Conference, ready to discuss service learning and what is unique about honors.

Meet Honors Student Kofi Riddick

What brought you to Reynolds?

The opportunity to establish myself academically in the first two years of higher education and the promise of the Reynolds Community Board Scholarship brought me to Reynolds. The idea of learning in small classrooms intrigued me as I value cultivating positive relationships with my professors.

What sparked your interest in your field of study?

A naturally inquisitive mindset and insatiable curiosity about the field of Genetics sparked my interest in Biology. From a very young age, I have always been curious about the genes I inherited from my parents that make me who I am. Each person in unique and genetic material allows for the diversity that makes live interesting.

What is the best part of participating in the Honors Program at Reynolds?

The best part of participating in the Reynolds Program is surrounding myself with equally motivated scholars and engaging in stimulating conversation. Meeting people from different backgrounds who are just as eager to challenge themselves academically is very refreshing.

When you aren’t studying or working, what do you like to do for fun?
My extracurricular hobbies include, playing soccer, doing gymnastics, hanging with friends and walking my dog.

What is your greatest struggle as a student?
My greatest struggle as a student is letting grades determine my happiness. I put far too much pressure on myself to get an "A" on every assignment and sometimes get in a rut when that does not happen.

What is the best class you have taken and why?
This is very bias, but the best class I have taken would be Bio 101 in the Spring of 2017. I enjoyed every minute of it, my professor was excellent and the material was taught very well.

Where would you most like to travel?
I would like to travel to England because that is where the Premier League is, the best soccer league in the world.

Where do you want to go from here?

From here I will matriculate to a four year university where I will attain my Bachelor's Degree in Biology. I will then apply to graduate school and become a Master of Science in pursuit of my career goal of becoming a Genetic Counselor.

Meet Honors Student - Charvay Wright

What brought you to Reynolds?
What brought me to Reynolds is my persistence.  I am a continuing education student and desire to complete college and earn my degree have continually stayed at the forefront of life.  Of course, this makes me a non-traditional student, but it also makes me unique.

What sparked your interest in your field of study?
What sparked my interest in my field of study is the empathy and compassion I have toward people.  I would like to use these virtues to be of help to people.

What is the best part of participating in the Honors Program at Reynolds?
For me at the moment the best part of being in the Honors program is all the support and information that is offered in the program.  I would have loved to have been a part of this program years ago, but I admit my focus was a huge obstacle at that time.

When you aren’t studying or working, what do you like to do for fun?
When I am not studying or working, I to have fun with my family.  I like to go out to see a good movie or go to the gym to cycle or hang out in the pool.  I teach a water fitness deep water class which helps me to maintain my workload and enjoy myself the participants.

What is your greatest struggle as a student?
My greatest struggle as a student would currently be math class.  I want to do well, but I know that math is not where my strength is academically.  Still, I apply myself while dealing with all the struggles I encounter in math.

What is the best class you have taken and why?
The best class that I have taken would have to be BIO 102.  The reason that I say this is because I made the mistake of taking this class online and due to this mistake I was greatly challenged.  However, I can appreciate that this class made me even more of a fighter academically.  I had to study very hard.  This caused me to grow in ways that I did not expect.

Where would you most like to travel?
I would most like to travel to anywhere tropical, but I'll start with Hawaii.

Where do you want to go from here?
From here I want to go to VCU to complete my degree and graduate with my BA in social work.  Of course, I will pursue a Masters degree.  I want to go into working with clients and teens in need of services through the social science field.