By Sian Wilkerson

Virginia Commonwealth University is providing a seamless path toward a bachelor's degree from VCU for even more community and two-year college students around the region with a recent expansion of the NEXT Step VCU dual-admissions program.

This month, NEXT Step VCU - launched in the fall of 2025 with inaugural partner Reynolds Community College - announced additional partnerships with Richard Bland College and Brightpoint Community College, marked by signing ceremonies on Richard Bland's campus in Prince George on April 2 and on Brightpoint's campus in Midlothian on April 14.

Now spanning three partners, the program underscores VCU's commitment to expanding transfer opportunities through personalized support, cost savings and a seamless pathway to degree completion. The expansion of NEXT Step VCU builds on the momentum of achieving the highest three-year transfer graduation rate in VCU's history.

"Bringing on Brightpoint and Richard Bland College as new partners, in addition to our partnership with Reynolds, means that even more students in Virginia will have access to the support they need to make a seamless, successful transfer to VCU," said Valerie Bartush, director of NEXT Step VCU. "This program strengthens the collaborative relationships between our institutions, which ultimately benefits the overall experience of our students."

VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., and Brightpoint President Bill Fiege, Ph.D., at a ceremonial signing on April 14. (Allen Jones, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

By combining cost-saving transfer pathways, credit guarantees, personalized academic advising, transition services and community-building opportunities, the program helps students navigate the transfer process with greater confidence, affordability and momentum. Students also benefit from a waiver of VCU's application fee and a VCU ID, which provides early access to library resources, campus facilities and cultural events.

"The NEXT Step partnership reflects the future of public higher education: institutions working together and serving the public good," said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. "At VCU, we believe higher education should expand opportunity and eliminate barriers. We see talent everywhere and in everyone, and our responsibility is to help more hard-working students clear the path for the completion of a degree that leads to a meaningful career in a timely way."

VCU's long partnership with both Richard Bland and Brightpoint was highlighted at the two ceremonies.

During his remarks at Brightpoint this week, Rao emphasized VCU's more than 15-year relationship with the college. "Today brings our shared work to a new level," he said.

"I'm deeply grateful to our colleagues at VCU for their partnership, collaboration and shared focus," said Brightpoint President Bill Fiege, Ph.D. "At Brightpoint, we believe in a success story for every student, and the NEXT Step VCU partnership supports that vision. Together, we are helping students dream bigger, aim higher and take that next step toward reaching their goals. The program offers students the opportunity to build a strong community as both a Trailblazer and a Ram, while also providing the clear guidance, assistance and support needed to complete their chosen degree pathways at Brightpoint and VCU."

Earlier this month, Richard Bland President Debbie L. Sydow, Ph.D., and Hernan Bucheli, Ed.D., VCU's vice president for strategic enrollment management and student success, both pointed to VCU as the long-preferred destination for students transferring from Richard Bland.

"The NEXT Step partnership further facilitates a seamless pathway to VCU and, importantly, assures our graduates the same level of highly personalized attention and support at VCU that has defined their Richard Bland experience," Sydow said.

Through NEXT Step VCU, "students will not feel like they are starting over when they transfer - they will feel like they are home," Bucheli said, pointing to the program's commitment to building community.

Hernan Bucheli, Ed.D. vice president for strategic enrollment management and student success, and Debbie L. Sydow, Ph.D., president of Richard Bland College, mark the expansion of NEXT Step VCU at a signing ceremony on April 2. (Sterling Giles, Richard Bland College)

Student speakers at the signing events included Janelle Mujadzic- who graduated from Richard Bland in 2025 and now studies biology at VCU, with the goal of pursuing a career in medicine - and Michael Pagan, who transferred to VCU after receiving his associate degree from Brightpoint in 2023. He graduated with his bachelor's from the School of Social Work in 2025, and is now pursuing his master's in social work at VCU.

With pathways to more than 40 degree programs, NEXT Step VCU offers distinctive transfer maps that help students save money by guiding them to complete two years of their bachelor's degree at community or two-year college. Students may indicate their interest by submitting a declaration form, available on the NEXT Step VCU program website. The form is open from April through August for students requesting to join the program in the fall, and from November through January for students requesting to join in the spring.

To be considered eligible, students must meet a number of requirements, including holding a high school diploma or GED; attending one of the partner colleges; earning a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average on the first 12 credits attempted at their college; and completing no more than 30 college credits at their college.