What Makes RBC a Junior College

At RBC, students are encouraged to explore a range of classes and passions without having to worry about laying a concrete path for their future. 

Community colleges and junior colleges like Richard Bland are the same thing… Not quite. RBC resides under the same Board of Visitors as The College of William & Mary and has more extensive opportunities for students academically and socially. 

The junior college experience combines academics with athletics, extracurriculars, and room and board to create a place where students can live, learn, and interact together. Larger universities and colleges offer these programs, but their size can inadvertently turn students into numbers instead of individuals. RBC’s total student population of just over 2400 ensures that each student forms their own unique relationship with the college. 

Dr. Kim Boyd, Vice-President at RBC, explains, “Most intro level courses at larger universities are filled with 100+ students. This can be discouraging for students entering college for the first time. RBC’s class average is 20:1. A small classroom environment encourages participation and increases the retention of course material.” Fewer students in the classroom allow professors to know their students. 

It is a common occurrence for RBC professors to check in on how students are doing individually. Communications professor, Jamia Hines welcomes students to come to her if they need emotional support or just someone to listen. Professors at RBC love

helping students in small ways like this, and they are all required to have on campus office hours in case students need help academically or otherwise. 

Like RBC, community colleges have smaller class sizes, but many of them lack student activities and support. RBC has close to a dozen men’s and women’s sports teams and offers athletic facilities. You would be hard pressed to find a community college with their own gymnasium—one of the many benefits of being a junior college. 

Moreover, offering counseling services and assigning students to a Learner Mentor helps to support students during their endeavors. Learner Mentors advise students on decisions regarding their degree track, class schedules, and transfer opportunities. Their doors are always open to students who want to talk through academic requirements or how they will transition to a four-year. Learner Mentors are also available to provide more general support to students. 

Dr. Boyd says, “Many students entering collegeare undecided on what they want to do, RBC allows them to explore different interests before declaring a major. Most high school students want to explore different career options before committing to a specific major.” At RBC, students are encouraged to explore a range of classes and passions without having to worry about laying a concrete path for their future. 

Because it is a two-year school, lowerclassman get to decide what clubs and activities they would like to see on campus. Incorporating their own interests into RBC’s environment allows them to flourish and enjoy their involvement. The saying around RBC is “Seize Your Potential,” and it is right up there with making it your own and thriving in your own unique and personal design for college.