Share your Reynolds story!

Reynolds alumni are the engine powering RVA; from our Culinary Arts graduates at the head of Richmond's food scene, to our Nursing graduates caring for loved ones in regional healthcare facilities, to our Automotive graduates keeping us moving forward to students transferring to colleges and universities throughout the Common-wealth. What you have in common is an outstanding start from Reynolds!

Help us celebrate your achievements by sharing your Reynolds success story and show our students that Reynolds is where outstanding LIVES get started!

Alumni News

Chef Dave Hirshman

A Positive Spirit Simmers in The Kitchens at Reynolds

Students past and present will quickly tell you the Reynolds Culinary Arts Program is something special. That alums like Dave Hirshman write to say "Thank you" is a testament to the lasting positive spirit that starts simmering in the Reynolds kitchen during their studies. Read More.

Jamal Brooks

For Jamal Brooks, Success Started in the Middle

How do you go from leaving home at 16 without a high school diploma to a goal of getting a PhD from Howard University? Ask Jamal Brooks. He can tell you. You start in the Middle. Middle College, that is. Read More.


Picture of Josh

Josh McVeigh

"We knew we needed some know-how and we knew we needed some experience," noted Josh while talking about his preparation in opening his own bed and breakfast - Ridgeside Bed and Breakfast in Afton, Virginia. "As we talked around and to local chefs, I knew Reynolds was the place I wanted to go if I wanted to be a chef." Read More.


Patricia HaskinsPatricia Haskins

She had earned an associate's degree from Reynolds Community College in 1986, and had every intention of pursuing a degree at a four-year college, but she started working full-time. Patricia finally graduated from Mary Baldwin University . . . in 2018. Read her story.


mgonzolezMartin Gonzalez

Martin has fallen and risen poco a poco. Classes at Reynolds were part of his journey. Read his story.


nelsonTyrone Nelson

Tyrone was appointed chair of the Virginia Compensation Board by Gov. Ralph Northam in May. He earned an associate's degree from Reynolds. Read his story.


ward Shavae' Ward

Shavae' Ward had a 4.92 GPA, was co-Valedictorian for her graduating class, and overall Valedictorian for Richmond Public Schools for 2018. She was Vice President at Open High School and served on the following: T-Shirt Committee, Early College Academy, National Technical Honor Society, and Phi Theta Kappa Community College Honor Society. She will attend Old Dominion University and plans to major in nursing. She earned an associate's degree from J. Sargeant Reynolds and graduated "summa cum laude". Read her story.


natalie Natalie Schwartz

Though Natalie needed accommodations throughout her school-age years, she graduated from Douglas Freeman High School with a standard diploma. She worked through Reynolds Community College's Program for Adults in Vocational Education, or PAVE, which offers two-year trade skills programs for those with emotional, physical and intellectual disabilities. Natalie chose the clerical track, and during that time, she held a three-month internship in former Gov. Tim Kaine's office. Read her story.


brawley Tammy Brawley

Tammy had the idea for her meal prep service "Green Kitchen" while walking on a treadmill at the YMCA. She was reading about making money doing something you love. She immediately enrolled in Reynolds culinary school, graduating from the program in 2009. Green Kitchen grew and in 2018 Brawley took over a vacant Church Hill restaurant space. Read her story.


weatherlessTodd Weatherless

Todd knew he needed to make a change. He made the change and in the process he started running. He ran his way to his new life and to an associate's degree in criminal justice from Reynolds. Read his story.


taraTara Gray

From start to finish Tara's graduation has taken 20 years. She started at Reynolds. It was the right place for her, she just knew it. Life got in the way of her education, but she didn't give up. "I knew I would return. I knew I would finish someday," Tara said. Finally that day is here. Tara has transferred to VCU and is pursuing a degree in criminal justice. Read her story.


frances scottFrances Scott

"Cancer is a disease that we believe, through prayer, financial support and research, will be eradicated in our lifetime," says Ms. Scott, a recent retiree and secretary for The Charmettes chapter. Frances earned an associate's degree in computer operation from Reynolds and worked for SunTrust Mortgage until December 2017. She was born in Richmond. Read her story.


tsparrowTravis Sparrow

Travis was appointed to serve as director of the Henrico Department of Information Technology. Travis served as network administrator for Richmond Public Schools before coming to Henrico County first as an information technology systems engineer, and then as information technology manager. Travis earned an associate's degree in applied science in microcomputer technical support from Reynolds. Read his story.