The prestigious Valley Proteins Fellows Program will pay Rea’s tuition at Wytheville Community College

WYTHEVILLE, Va., September 9, 2019 – Wytheville Community College (WCC) is pleased to announce that Brittany Rea has been selected as part of the prestigious Valley Proteins Fellows Program.

Rea, of Dublin, Va., is in her final year at WCC in the engineering program. Upon completion, she will earn an associate of arts and science with a major in science and specialization in engineering. Rea is originally from North Vernon, Ind., is married, and has two children. Brittany was also listed on the president’s honor roll earlier this year based on her outstanding academic achievement.

“I was elated to hear that I was selected for the fellows program,” said Rea. “I’ve had so much support and encouragement along the way. Mrs. Susan Evans and Dr. Rhonda Catron-Wood helped me through the application process. My husband has been a huge supporter of my education, and a lot of the times he goes out of his way to make sure I can do all of the things I need to do for school.”

“We are very pleased that Ms. Rea has been chosen to participate in the Valley Proteins Fellows Program,” said Catron-Wood. “In addition to the monetary scholarship funding that she will receive, the program also provides outstanding leadership development opportunities. WCC is very grateful to Valley Proteins and the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education for providing this extraordinary program.”

Rea also talked about her experience at WCC. “I am still amazed at all of the degrees they have to offer – it’s almost like the options are endless,” said Rea. “I love going to WCC because I know I’m getting a quality education while I am here.”

Rea was encouraged to apply for the Valley Proteins Fellows program by former recipient Edward Knack, who was the 2018 recipient. Rea is the eighth WCC student to receive this award. Rea had advice for future applicants, too. “You need to really put time into the application, pay attention to deadlines, and truly be honest your answers,” said Rea. “Hard work really does pays off.”

Of the nearly 250,000 people Virginia’s Community College’s serve across the commonwealth each year, only 10 are selected for the Valley Proteins Fellows program. In addition to financial support, the Valley Proteins Fellows Program provides recipients with mentoring, coaching, networking and leadership opportunities.

About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Since 1966, Virginia’s Community Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened. By making higher education and workforce training available in every part of Virginia, we elevate all of Virginia. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve more than 250,000 students each year. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu.

About the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education:  Working hand in hand with Virginia’s 23 community colleges, the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education seeks to guarantee financial assistance to all students who dream of attending college. The foundation is building an endowment that is already generating interest to provide full scholarships to selected community college students; helping more Virginia foster youth pursue and complete higher education through its Great Expectations program; and leading a partnership to improve rural Virginia’s education pipeline through the Rural Virginia Horseshoe Initiative. For more information, please visit www.vfcce.org.

###