Hollins has received $428,000 in federal government funding to enhance dual enrollment offerings for high school students in the Roanoke Valley region. The appropriation is part of $200 million in funding secured by U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine for community projects in Virginia.

“Dual enrollment courses make higher education more accessible and affordable for many of Virginia’s students, and it’s important that our schools have access to the qualified workforce they need to offer them,” Kaine said. “I am glad this funding will support Hollins University in expanding access to graduate studies for teachers in the Roanoke Valley to further their educations, qualify them to teach dual enrollment courses, and better serve students in the region.”

The Hollins project, which will be coordinated with Roanoke’s Virginia Western Community College, is designed to support the development of a new program for local teachers who seek to complete graduate-level coursework in English, history, mathematics, or art in order to build dual enrollment teaching capacity and opportunities.

“In an increasingly complex world, education matters. Given the need for investment in advanced manufacturing, technology and communications, health care, and other industries that require advanced degrees, the Roanoke Valley is eager to produce more students prepared to complete bachelor’s degrees,” said Steven Laymon, vice president for graduate and continuing studies at Hollins.