On the final Kirk Cox “On-Air RBC” episode, he joins us todiscuss the impact of the Growth4VA initiative and how its momentum can further strengthen talent development and college affordability in Virginia. He highlights the need for government, business and higher education to work together to expand access to internships. Cox also reflects on how RBC is expanding its on-campus internship model and how colleges—particularly in rural communities—can better support students through paid, meaningful work-based learning experiences.

Kirk Cox—President of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council (VBHEC) and Former Virginia Delegate— shares about how Richard Bland College helped equip him for his career and postgraduate endeavors. He also speaks on the benefits of the College's work study program. Finally, he talks through the work he's doing with VBHEC to implement more specialized internships and higher education opportunities to facilitate successful academic and career pathways for Virginia's students.

In this episode, Ben Thoreson, Director of StudentSuccess and Promise Scholars/Honors College Coordinator at Richard Bland College, talks about how students can not only prepare for success but also take their academic experience at RBC to the next level.