June 2026

South Hill, VA, March 24, 2026

The Campus Within Walls Community Advisory Board convened at Southside Virginia Community College for a highly collaborative advisory board meeting, bringing together regional employers to strengthen pathways from incarceration to employment.

Attendees received updates on the expansion of Campus Within Walls (CWW), an SVCC initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community Colleges Grant. Highlights included the growth of credential‑based training, hands‑on mobile instruction, and the increasing number of learners earning industry‑recognized certifications.

A central feature of the event was a compelling presentation by Rodney White, Workforce Development Manager for Virginia Correctional Enterprises, whose testimony emphasized the transformative power of education, equitable hiring practices, and the importance of viewing justice‑impacted individuals through a strengths‑based and opportunity‑focused lens. White shared his own educational journey, reinforcing that academic access is one of the greatest equalizers and a critical driver of long‑term reentry success.

During the meeting, SVCC President Dr. Quentin R. Johnson spoke about his longstanding commitment to supporting justice‑impacted individuals and the importance of creating real second‑chance opportunities. He encouraged employers to continue opening

doors for returning citizens, emphasizing that workforce inclusion is both a moral imperative and an economic benefit to the region.

Dr. Johnson also shared his personal connection to guest speaker Rodney White, noting that he hired White for one of his first professional roles after graduate school. He reflected on White’s early leadership potential and expressed pride in his continued growth and impact within VADOC and the broader reentry community.

Employers participated in a structured discussion session focused on hiring needs, desired skills, barriers to employment, and ways to strengthen workplace support for returning citizens. Their insights will guide ongoing alignment between training programs and regional workforce demand.

The meeting concluded with employers signing letters of commitment, affirming their support for second‑chance hiring, followed by survey feedback to inform future program development.

A new Electricity (ELE) class at Halifax Correctional Unit was piloted in Fall 2025 with help from the Strengthening Community College Grant through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Construction Pre-Hire Immersion Training Program through the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). 

All 10 students passed, and each earned three certifications: NCCER Core, NCCER Electrical Level 1, and OSHA 10. 

Mary Coleman

For the past couple of years, I have had the privilege of serving as an adjunct mathematics instructor for Campus Within Walls. This work has provided me with opportunities to teach in three different institutions within the program. While each institution is different, there is one resounding similarity - the caliber of students. Each week, I enter a classroom filled with engaged, highly-motivated students. These students challenge me to thoughtfully improve lessons, activities, and assessments as I strive to bring my best to every course.

This program has opened my eyes to the power of education. The positive impacts of Campus Within Walls extends beyond our classroom of students and into the institutions creating a ripple effect where education is the catalyst for change. 

South Hill, VA, October 7, 2025

The Campus Within Walls Community Advisory Board gathered at the Lake Country Advanced Knowledge Center for a dynamic and solutions-focused meeting centered on expanding educational and workforce opportunities for justice-impacted individuals.

The meeting began with an overview of Campus Within Walls, a Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community Colleges Grant. Attendees explored the program’s growing impact and the collaborative efforts underway to increase access to higher education for incarcerated learners.

A highlight of the meeting was a powerful testimony from Maurice Neenan, a graduate of the pilot HVAC class at Baskerville Correctional Center. Now employed full-time and enrolled in classes at SVCC, Neenan shared how the program helped him change the trajectory of his life. He spoke about the deep connection he formed with his instructor, Mr. Foster, who not only taught with dedication inside the facility but continued to support him after release. Neenan emphasized the loyalty he feels toward his employer for giving him a second chance and described the program as “priceless,” saying it gave him purpose, drive, and a new career path. “This class was more beneficial than anything else I’ve been a part of while incarcerated,” he said. “It’s building careers, building people, building men that are going to come home and be your neighbor.”

Bringing a workforce development lens, Terra Napier, Executive Director of the South Central Workforce Development Board (SCWDB), outlined employment pathways for returning citizens and detailed the incentives available to second-chance employers committed to inclusive hiring practices.

The meeting concluded with a roundtable discussion focused on strengthening partnerships among stakeholders to support individuals preparing for reentry. Local employers such as Penmac Staffing and Jensen Mechanical were present, demonstrating strong regional support for second-chance hiring. Workforce development specialists from area correctional centers also participated, reinforcing the collaborative spirit between SVCC, VADOC, and community partners.

Amanda Cox

Coordinator

Bridget Powell

Administrative Assistant

Latorya Brandon

R3 Coach

Dr. Diane Edmonds

R3 Coach

Crystal Baldwin

Project Manager

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