CULPEPER, Va. - Despite Gov. Tim Kaine’s order last week to reduce overall state spending by five percent due to the slumping economy, Germanna Community College will avoid layoffs while cutting $577,291 from its fiscal year 2009 operating budget.

Thousands of residents across the commonwealth turn to community colleges for training and education. Approximately 249,295 students took at least one credited course during the 2007-08 academic year – the equivalent of 101,899 students enrolled full time.

Students can transfer associate degrees or land high-paying jobs right out of school. “What sets us apart from four-year institutions of higher learning is that we place an emphasis on industry-relevant high-tech skills that can be learned in a short period of time,” said Dr. J. Mark Estepp, president of Southwest Virginia Community College.

Going green is for the birds on the Chesapeake campus of Tidewater Community College. Or at least it started with the birds. Thanks to biology professor Lisa Behm, the college’s winged residents have upgraded their digs into homemade nest boxes located throughout campus in hopes that secure housing will encourage more to flock there.

Thousands of residents across the commonwealth turn to community colleges for training and education. Approximately 240,342 students took at least one credited course during the 2006-07 academic year.