For generations, many high school graduates in Southwest and Southside Virginia believed they had to leave home to find good‑paying jobs and long‑term career prospects. That belief is changing — and must continue to change. Our region has enormous potential, and the institutions that serve it share a responsibility to help people build strong futures right here at home.
Radford University along with all members of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council see firsthand how collaboration between higher education, businesses and community partners is reshaping opportunity. By listening to employers, tailoring talent pathways and making education more accessible, we are working to keep our homegrown talent in the region — and to attract new talent as well.
Affordability: the foundation of opportunity
Affordability has always been essential to expanding access to higher education, particularly in regions like ours where many students are the first in their families to pursue postsecondary credentials. If we want more young people and working adults to step into high‑demand fields, we must ensure programs are within reach financially.
Virginia has made meaningful progress. The state’s G3 (Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back) Tuition Assistance program helps low‑ and middle‑income students earn an associate degree at minimal cost. When those students transfer to Radford University, they can benefit from the Radford Tuition Promise, which uses federal, state and institutional aid to fully cover tuition for qualifying students. For families across Southwest and Southside Virginia, this is nothing short of transformative.
For students who live at home, commute to class and complete a paid internship, the combination of G3 and the Radford Tuition Promise means they can graduate with an in‑demand degree and little to no student debt. That is a powerful incentive for talented young people to stay in the region, build careers and invest in local communities.
We are also grateful that state leaders in both parties are working toward additional higher‑education funding in the upcoming budget. Continued commitment to affordability benefits not just students, but the long‑term vitality of regional economies.
The power of partnerships
Accessibility is only one part of the equation. Ensuring that programs align with regional workforce needs and are delivered in flexible, practical ways — is equally important.
Colleges, universities and community colleges in our region are strengthening partnerships with employers to understand exactly what skills are needed and how quickly. These partnerships help shape programs in health care, public safety, public education, STEM fields, behavioral health and other high‑demand areas where local employers are eager for talent.
At the same time, higher‑education institutions must be responsible stewards, managing costs, pursuing new technologies and creating seamless transfer pathways. Radford University’s Tartan Transfer program is a strong example: it enables a smooth transition from nine partner community colleges across Southwest and Southside Virginia. Students spend less time navigating bureaucracy and more time preparing for careers.
The impact of these efforts extends beyond classrooms and campuses. A 2022 economic impact study found that Radford University generates more than 5,000 jobs and $400 million in economic activity for Southwest Virginia. When students stay in the region, their contributions compound — strengthening our workforce, attracting businesses and fueling local growth.
Key ingredients in the educational experience
Employers consistently tell us they need graduates who are ready to contribute on day one. That requires not only classroom learning but real‑world experience.
We must continue building strong partnerships among higher‑education institutions, businesses and local governments. Collaboration creates shared solutions — and shared success. A promising example is the new statewide “InVA” initiative, which encourages employers to offer more paid internships. When government, business and higher education move together, students win, and so does the regional economy.
We also must bolster career counseling and advising, especially for first‑generation and rural students who may not know about some career paths or be confident that those paths are within reach. When students understand the connection between their education and a viable, locally available career, participation and persistence rise dramatically.
At Radford University, experiential learning is not an add‑on; it is a core part of the academic journey. Faculty mentorship is central to the student experience, and collaboration with regional employers — such as Carilion, local school systems and other partners — brings career opportunities to life. Students gain practical insights into the workforce needs of the region and the steps they can take to meet them.
The road ahead
Southwest and Southside Virginia are rich with opportunity. Our communities need nurses, mental and behavioral health professionals, teachers, public safety personnel, IT specialists, manufacturing technicians and many more professionals across high‑growth fields. Construction sites and roadbuilding activities — and the jobs which accompany that work — dot the landscape across southwest and southern Virginia. These careers are available today. Many come with strong wages, clear advancement pathways and a deep sense of purpose.
Meeting this demand requires continued investment in programs that align with local workforce needs — and the partnerships that make those programs possible. A strong talent pipeline attracts new businesses, expands existing ones and brings more resources into our region. Success becomes cumulative: talent creates opportunity, and opportunity attracts more talent and investment.
While many young people in Northern Virginia and other parts of the state are leaving for opportunities elsewhere, Southwest and Southside Virginia are moving in a promising direction. With ongoing collaboration between higher education, business and government, we can accelerate this momentum.
Our message to students and families across the region is simple: You do not have to leave home to build a great life. The opportunity is here. The support is here. And together, we are building a region where talent can thrive.
Bret Danilowicz is the eighth president of Radford University and Mark Pace is president and CEO of E.C. Pace and Company. Both are members of the Board of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council.
