Richmond Public School system has the lowest graduation rates in Virginia. Richmond Public School Superintendent Jason Kramas explains the need to lead with “love”. Defining “Love” as “having high expectations for kids...car[ing] about the whole child. Leading with love means [is] about social justice and changing lives for kids.” Virginia Commonwealth University, being one of the state’s largest academic institutions and Richmond’s largest employers, impacts the public school system. VCU can support Richmond Public School efforts to increase graduation rates by engaging students through pipeline programs focused on academic and career exposure and attainment. The panel discussion will explore how our higher education institution can support community efforts in providing greater college access opportunity to Richmond public school students
VCU Health Sciences Pipeline is comprised of our faculty and staff, program partners and most importantly students, the Pipeline alumni. Together we are breaking health science education barriers, fostering student success and diversifying the health care workforce.
Two programs in particular engage public school students. “From Jump Rope to Stethoscopes” exposes middle school students to healthcare careers, and “Health Sciences Academy” offers high school students dual college-credit, college-preparedness skills and health career exploration. Richmond Public Schools student engagement efforts are supported by RVA Future Centers whose goal is to increase the number of Richmond Public Schools graduates accessing quality post-high school college and career opportunities, by providing a strong system of support, information, and assistance to RPS high school students.
