Richmond – For the past two decades, the Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy has recognized the generosity and vision of individuals and organizations whose support transforms live across the Virginia Community College System (VCCS).
This year RCC nominated Carolyn and David Scarbrough of Burgess, Virginia. In 2014 the Scarbroughs established the Hand-to-Hand Scholarship, a two-year renewable award. Recognizing that traditional scholarship programs don’t reach all students in need, they also established a flexible emergency assistance fund for students in workforce credential and short-term credit programs. Operating since 2022, this fund empowers RCC faculty and staff to identify students facing unexpected crises and provides last-dollar assistance that can mean the difference between a student dropping out and successfully completing their program.
“What truly distinguishes the Scarborough’s philanthropy is their vision for sustainability,” said RCC President Dr. Shannon Kennedy. “They’ve inspired others to partner with them to support scholarships and emergency assistance, building a sustainable philanthropic infrastructure that extends beyond their individual giving.” As winners of the Chancellor’s Philanthropy Award a $2,000 scholarship in their name will be awarded to an RCC student next year.
Thanks to generous donors like the Scarbroughs and countless others, RCC’s scholarship committee is excited to announce that for the upcoming academic year $777,000 is being awarded to 571 students. Almost 100 students received more than one competitive scholarship. All high school students who applied for a scholarship received at least one.
VCCS Chancellor Dr. David Doré addressed the gathering and praised the colleges for their recognition for outcomes and success. He stressed the impact that donors and supporters have on students across the Commonwealth. During the past 20 years over 484 donors have collectively contributed $275,000,000 to help meet workforce needs and transform communities. This stewardship provides second chances, new pathways offering possibility, innovation, and hope to our students.
Other distinguished speakers, including Dr. Jeffery O. Smith, Secretary of Education, and Dr. Brent L. Kendrick, author, philanthropist, and educator, stressed the importance of helping students achieve by showing them that they are deserving of achievement. “Because someone, somewhere believed in me and gave me a scholarship I was able to go from a rural home with a total of three books to working at the Library of Congress,” said Kendrick.
One of the highlights of the luncheon was hearing from Germanna student Ana Gabriela Otolora Reyes. She held up a bag of coins and dollar bills and as a testament to her perseverance. A first-generation student with limited financial resources, Ana had to save every coin she earned to participate in activities she wanted to pursue. She explained that it wasn’t just her story but the story of many students, and when they receive a scholarship it shows them that someone sees them and recognizes their hard work and sacrifices.
This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has collectively contributed $24 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.
Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE) more than two dozen individuals, families, and organizations were honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The awards were presented at a luncheon ceremony in Richmond on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
