Academic Planning
The college is committed to supporting students in successfully achieving their academic goals. After completing a college application and, if necessary, taking the Virginia Placement Test or submitting the appropriate placement evaluation documents , new students should schedule an appointment with a member of the advising staff to discuss their goals and academic plans. Advisors and new student navigators provide new student advising, explanation of placement test scores, and explore academic programs with students.
The staff provides assistance with program selection for new students and with course selection for undecided and non-degree students. Careful consideration is given to the student’s motivation, abilities, aptitudes, and past achievements when assisting a student to select a program and to plan appropriate coursework applicable to transfer or employment. Appointments may be scheduled by calling the Welcome Desk at the Glenns (804-758-6730) or Warsaw campus (804-333-6730) or by email rcccounselor@rappahannock.edu. Students may schedule appointments with a specific navigator or walk in and be seen by the first available navigator.
New Student Orientation
Orientation sessions for new students are held at both the Glenns and Warsaw campuses prior to the start of each semester to welcome students to the campus. Sessions include a tour and provide information about college services, use of online resources such as myRCC and student email, student activities and clubs, and an opportunity to meet other new students. A college ID is issued during the orientation. All new students are encouraged to attend. Additionally, new students are encouraged to review the online orientation resources found here to help them prepare for college.
College Success Skills
All curricular students, except those in some career studies certificate programs, are required to enroll in a Student Development (SDV) course within the first 15 credit hours of enrollment. This course is designed to foster student success in navigating the college environment. This course also assists students in developing and practicing skills and strategies which promote a successful college experience. The requirement may be waived on a case by case basis through course substitution for students who hold an Associate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Other requests for a waiver by course substitution may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students must still successfully complete the required number of credits for their degree. Students seeking substitute credit for the SDV requirement should contact the Dean of Student Development.
Counseling - Timely Care
Sometimes college students may be confronted with new and challenging situations which create pressures and anxieties that require professional assistance.
To assist students, RCC offers a resource called Timely Care. It provides both scheduled counseling that is free three times an academic year and also provides on-demand chat 24/7 with a licensed provider for your mental health needs.
Access Timely Care by going to the icon on your myRCC that looks like a dialog box, visiting timelycare.com/vccs, or by downloading the TimelyCare app.
These services are confidential and free. If you have questions about accessing TimelyCare, contact Dr. David Keel, Dean of Student Development.
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Services for Students with Disabilities
Rappahannock Community College is committed to creating a learning environment that meets the needs of its diverse student body. Students with disabilities who need accommodations to fully participate in the programs and services offered by RCC are encouraged to meet with their RCC Navigator/Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator at the Glenns or Warsaw Campus to request accommodations. The Accommodations Coordinator at the Warsaw campus also coordinates accommodations for the Haynesville Correctional Center and King George sites, and the advisor at the Glenns campus also coordinates accommodations for the Kilmarnock Center and the New Kent site.
To be eligible for accommodations, students must submit appropriate documentation from a physician or other professional explaining both their disability and the necessary accommodations. Services are provided based on each student’s individual needs. Services may include but are not limited to orientation to campus, academic accommodations, physical barrier removal, liaison with faculty and staff, and/or information and referral. Once students have requested their accommodations by meeting with the ADA Coordinator, they will meet with the Coordinator at the start of each semester to discuss the accommodations needed for each of their courses that semester. Because the accommodations process is the collaboration between faculty, the student, and the Coordinator, it is the student’s responsibility to let the Coordinator know if accommodations need to be adjusted during the semester. For more information, please email ADAaccommodations@rappahannock.edu.
It is recommended that students who are requesting accommodations for the first time meet with a counselor at least 60 days before the start of the semester in order to provide time for them to submit all the necessary documentation and have it reviewed.
In the event that an accommodation request is denied, students may refer to the college grievance procedures. This grievance procedure is outlined in the RCC Student Handbook.
Appeals for Substitution of Programmatic Requirements for Students with Disabilities
Program Requirements that are Eligible for Accommodation:
Students must meet all technical standards established for their program of study. Students who have disabilities may be eligible for academic or physical accommodations to meet some of a program’s technical standards.
In cases where a student has a learning disability so profound that it precludes him or her from completing the mathematics requirement in the degree or certificate program in which the student is enrolled, the student may appeal for a course substitution. Appeals will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and appropriate documentation as described below must be provided or be on file with RCC’s ADA Coordinator at either the Glenns or Warsaw campus. The substitution will not be considered in programs where mathematics and the concepts learned in mathematics are considered essential components of the program of study.
Course Substitution Appeal Process:
- All appeals must be in the form of a written request using the ADA Course Substitution Appeals Form. The form must be submitted to the ADA Coordinator at either the Glenns or Warsaw campus by email attachment, fax, or in person.
- The student submitting the appeal must submit or have the following documentation on file in the ADA Coordinator’s office.
- Documentation of a disability in accordance with RCC’s guidelines; documentation must show that the student has a disability that impacts mathematics learning.
- High school IEP and/or an evaluation by a licensed clinical or school psychologist regarding computational skills.
- Evidence, if any, of completion of high school math courses.
- VPT mathematics score, current within 5 years or high school transcript as appropriate.
- Statement from developmental or other mathematics instructor regarding any attempted coursework, if applicable.
- The ADA Coordinator, in consultation with the Mathematics Discipline Lead and the appropriate academic dean, will review the documentation, consult with individuals as identified in item 2 above, and gather any additional information from the student if needed. After review, if the substitution is determined necessary, the ADA Coordinator will submit the request for substitution to the college Registrar for processing. The student must complete the total number of credit hours required for the desired degree or certificate.
- Courses that may be utilized for substitution include PHI 111-112, ACC 211-212 (transfer/non-transfer programs); and ITE 140 (non-transfer programs). Students should be aware that these courses may be delivered through distance learning/shared services through NVCC.
- Should the ADA Coordinator be unable to establish the need for a math substitution, he/she will note this on the form, sign it, and retain it as part of the student’s record. The student will remain eligible for appropriate accommodations while enrolled in mathematics courses.
Trio/Student Support Services
Trio/Student Support Services
RCC’s TRIO program, Student Support Services (SSS), is a program designed to help students in transfer degree programs who are income-eligible, first-generation, and/or have a documented disability successfully navigate the college environment. Through individualized planning, active participation, and peer support, program participants are exposed to skills and strategies to increase college persistence and graduation rates. Support services are available free of charge and include:
- Personal and Academic Counseling
- Academic and Financial Literacy Skills Development
- Career Counseling
- Academic Support (tutoring)
- Transfer Guidance
- Financial Aid/Scholarship Guidance and Assistance
- Cultural Exposure
SSS is a TRIO grant program funded by the United States Department of Education and hosted by RCC’s Office of Student Development to advance its purpose of supporting student success. Students who are interested in applying for the TRIO program should call 804-333-6736 on the Warsaw campus or 804-758-6747 on the Glenns campus or email ljustice@rappahannock.edu for more information.
Success Coaches
The Chancellor’s College Success Coach Initiative is designed to serve Pell-eligible and first-generation college students. Coaches encourage academic persistence and achievement of benchmarks leading to success in college. The initiative, Success Achievers at RCC, employs student services professionals who provide participants with needed encouragement, connection to resources, and collaboration with faculty to assist students in achieving their goal of earning a degree or certificate. Coaches are located at the Glenns and Warsaw campuses but are available to serve students at all locations. The Virginia Community College System provides funding for this initiative. For more information, call 804-333-6730.
Tutoring Services
Online tutoring services are available to students enrolled in credit courses at RCC at no charge 24/7 through Brain Fuse. After signing into myRCC, click on the Brain Fuse icon and set up an account to meet with a tutor. There is no limit to how often this service can be used each semester. Based on availability, students may also sign up for tutoring with an RCC based tutor. These sessions are generally available via Zoom, with some availability for in-person tutoring. These sessions may be scheduled through Navigate. Please see the ARC website for more details. Contact the Welcome Desk for more information at 804-758-6730.
Testing Services
College testing services are offered in the testing centers at the Glenns and Warsaw campuses and the King George site during regularly scheduled hours; hours for each location are posted on the college website. Testing Centers may be used for faculty-assigned make-up tests, proctored activities for distance learning, hybrid courses, placement, and other college-affiliated assessment testing.
Please refer to the RCC Testing Center website for more information about the testing center’s hours of operation, policies, and procedures.
Career Services
The Office of Career & Transition Services provide support to RCC students who meet their qualifications and will work with students to:
- Clarify interests and develop career goals
- Create short-term or long-term educational plans to achieve career goals
- Develop cover letters and resumes that sell your skills
- Polish your interview skills to create a professional image
Career Services also provides exploration tools that will match your skills and interests to a number of potential careers. A variety of online resources are available to students, including the Virginia Wizard.
To work with a career coach, please call Theresa Sirles at 804-435-8973.
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