Program Overview / History

Great Expectations launched in fall 2008 at five Virginia Community Colleges, each of which received a grant to pilot components of the program. Since then, the program has continued to expand to other community college across the commonwealth. Our goal is for Great Expectations to be available and easily accessible for all foster youth in Virginia.

Great Expectations helps Virginia’s foster youth complete high school, gain access to a community college education and transition successfully from the foster care system to living independently. The program complements Virginia’s For Keeps initiative, which helps ensure that young people have the personal connections and community support they need to live productive and fulfilling lives. Key components include:

• Individualized tutoring
• Help with the college admissions process and financial aid
• Career exploration and coaching
• Job preparation
• Life skills training
• Personalized counseling
• Student mentors

Want to learn more about how Great Expectations works? Check out the programs at Germanna Community College or J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

Interested in keeping up with Great Expectations and its young people? Sign up to receive  more information on the Great Expectations program.

Great Expectations coaches and mentors are there to provide assistance, offer encouragement and help you reach your goals. Check the list below for the Great Expectations program nearest you.

Schools currently with Great Expectations programs:

Danville Community College, Danville
After-school program for youth 13-18
Donald Pippin
dpippin@dcc.vccs.edu
434-429-9797

Germanna Community College, Fredericksburg
Program for high school youth 16-19
Mark Haines
mhaines@germanna.edu
540-891-3026

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond
College program for youth 17-24
Dedra Hampton
dhampton@reynolds.edu or greatexpectations@reynolds.edu
804-523-5294

New River Community College, Dublin and Christiansburg
After-school program for high school students and college program for youth 17 – 24
Lois Davis
ldavis@nr.edu
540-674-3600

Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria
College program for youth 17-24
Frances Villagran-Glover
fvillagrangl@nvcc.edu
703-845-6219

Piedmont Virginia Community College, Charlottesville
After-school program for high school students and college program for youth 17 – 24
Lisa Roberson
lroberson@pvcc.edu
434-963-2990

Southside Community College, Keysville
Program for high school students and college program for youth 17 – 24
Sandra Thompson
sandra.thompson@southside.edu
434-736-2084

Virginia Highlands Community College, Abingdon
After-school program for high school students and college program for youth 17 – 24
Tony Fuller
tfuller@vhcc.edu
276-739-2558

New Great Expectations programs will be starting at the following colleges in 2010:

• Mountain Empire Community College
• Patrick Henry Community College
• Southwest Virginia Community College
• Wytheville Community College

Watch for news and contacts early next year.