Virginia Western student Nick Flurnoy was the featured student speaker at the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education’s Legislative Reception on Jan. 21 at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. Flurnoy joined speakers including Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin; Del. Luke Torian, chair of the House Appropriations Committee; and Chancellor David Doré of the Virginia Community College System.
The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education provided funding to help Virginia Western Community College launch the Great Expectations program, which provides a range of support services to students who’ve experienced foster care. Flurnoy was part of the first cohort to join the program in 2023.
JW Taylor, Virginia Western’s Great Expectations success coach, said Flurnoy originally spoke on a student panel at a statewide Great Expectations event in August. This led to his selection to address the Legislative Reception.
In his speech, Flurnoy shared about his life before attending college. “Before my journey began, I faced many hardships. I spent a few years in foster care as the oldest sibling of five, rarely getting to see my brothers and sisters. I also lost two of my closest friends, who were incredible sources of support for me,” he said.
When Flurnoy was 17, he unexpectedly had to fend for himself and try to earn a living. Because of his time in foster care, he was eligible for the Great Expectations program.
Flurnoy said he grew up around the construction industry, which is why he decided to pursue Construction Management at Virginia Western. “Today, I am proud to say that I’ve earned my contractor’s license with the help of VWCC and the workforce development program,” he said.
In addition, an internship has led to full-time work in the construction industry, which he is balancing with a full course load as he completes work for an associate degree in May. “Programs like G3, Fast Forward, and the Great Expectations Program are vital to students like me,” Flurnoy said in his speech. “They not only open doors to career advancement but also provide the tools and confidence needed to step through them.”
