Brightpoint Community College

05/28/2026

"You are right on time," said Melinda King, a 2026 Brightpoint graduate, during her speech at the 2026 Commencement Ceremony.

Melinda successfully completed her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing, LPN to RN Bridge Specialization in December 2025, and in February 2026, she passed her nursing licensure exam and earned her Registered Nurse license. She also started two businesses, one of which is a holistic, comprehensive perinatal professional practice.

But years before her graduation at Brightpoint, Melinda was questioning whether she could take on the challenge of going back to school while balancing family and work responsibilities.

Read about Melinda's journey from the classroom to the podium: https://www.brightpoint.edu/news/You-Are-Right-on-Time-Melinda-King-Turned-an-Interrupted-Dream-Into-a-Holistic-Healthcare-Career



Video description: Melinda stands at the podium during the Commencement Ceremony and delivers part of her speech to the Brightpoint Class of 2026.

Image descriptions:
1 - Melinda wears a graduation cap and gown and speaks in front of a podium at the 2026 Brightpoint Commencement Ceremony.
2 - Melinda wears blue scrubs and poses in front of nursing equipment.
3 - A close-up of Melinda, who wears blue scrubs, magenta-framed glasses, and a stethoscope.

05/28/2026

Jake Smith, a forensic anthropologist and funeral services adjunct instructor at Brightpoint, was one of the 143 funeral professionals from across the country who received recognition through The First Call campaign!

The First Call campaign was developed to highlight funeral services professionals who often serve quietly, but who are essential in guiding families with dignity, steadiness, and care.

As part of the campaign’s launch, honorees were featured on a digital billboard in Times Square! Make sure to check out the full story from Chptr.



Video description: Honorees attend The First Call campaign in NYC's Times Square.

05/22/2026

Brightpoint will be closed Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day.

While the college is closed, current students can still register for Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027 classes. Just log into your myBrightpoint account and use Navigate or SIS.

If you're a new student interested in attending Brightpoint, you can get started by completing your application for admission: https://bit.ly/43u2U69



Image description: "Memorial Day: In Honor and Remembrance of Our Heroes" appears in blue font over an image of the U.S. flag.

05/22/2026

May is Foster Care Awareness month, and we’re proud to celebrate our Great Expectations students who graduated this year!

See a few of the program's graduates posing at our 2026 Commencement Ceremony with Jeremiah Camp, our Great Expectations coach.

The Great Expectations program provides financial resources and academic support for students affiliated with the Virginia Foster Care System.

As coach, Jeremiah helps students navigate college and transition to the working world. On May 6, he held a special celebration for the graduates in this program, where Brightpoint community members and loved ones recognized the graduates' achievements, resilience, and growth.

Learn more about Great Expectations: https://bit.ly/44NHMd8



Image descriptions:
1 - Taleisha DeJesus (left), Quantavious Brown (back center), Marina Ellis (right), and Jeremiah Camp (front center) pose in front of a Brightpoint banner. The graduates wear their caps and gowns.
2 - Jeremiah Camp wears a Brightpoint shirt and smiles while backstage at the 2026 Commencement Ceremony.
3 - Marina Ellis laughs while standing next to a smiling Jeremiah Camp in front of gold graduation decorations and balloons.
4 - Quantavious Brown and Jeremiah Camp smile while posing in front of a PowerPoint presentation about Quantavious.
5 - Taleisha DeJesus and Jeremiah Camp each make the peace sign gesture while standing in front of gold graduation decorations and balloons.

05/22/2026

Emergency Communications Test – May 22:
This is a test of the college's emergency communications systems. Information about safety and security at the college may be found in the safety section of our website at www.brightpoint.edu/about/safety-security.

At Brightpoint, the safety, health and well-being of our students and employees are of the utmost importance.

05/20/2026

Rob Leinberger was just getting started with his career in animal care, control, and welfare, when Brightpoint gave him the skills he needed to succeed. Over 30 years later, he’s thriving as a leader in his field.

Read how Brightpoint helped him achieve lasting career success: https://bit.ly/4f4T3uH



Image descriptions:
1 - Rob leans back as the puppy he's holding licks his face. He wears his Richmond Animal Control supervisor's uniform.
2 - Rob wears a cap and gown and holds his diploma while posed outside in front of the Brightpoint Chester Campus, 1994.
3 - An early-career Rob poses in uniform in front of a white truck.
4 - Another early-career Rob smiles and holds a large snake in his arms.
5 - Rob holds a chicken under one arm while on duty as supervisor for Richmond Animal Control.
6 - Rob wears his Prince George County Animal Services uniform and poses in front of a U.S. and Prince George County flag.

05/19/2026

RVA Rising shared a story about the importance of community colleges for advancing economic mobility, and Brightpoint was a key part of that story!

RVA Rising highlights the need for education to lead to real job opportunities, and features quotes from President Fiege, as well as Elizabeth Creamer, Vice President of CCWA Training, and Dr. Paula Pando, President of Reynolds Community College.

Read the story: https://bit.ly/4viNDRV



Image description: Two students sit in front of a laptop, smiling at the screen. Trailblazer Hall appears in the background.

05/18/2026

Summer's only just begun, which means there's still time to register for summer classes at Brightpoint!

Our tuition costs only 1/3 of most Virginia universities, and you could even qualify for tuition assistance through the G3 program. Of course, your FAFSA funds can be used to cover summer classes, too.

Get enrolled: https://bit.ly/3ZM2V42



Image description: "Register for Summer Classes" appears in bold white and teal text on an orange background.

05/15/2026

A picture can say a lot, and these pictures say, "I did it!"

Check out photos from our Nursing Pinning and Commencement Ceremonies, including our smiling graduates, and the people who were there to celebrate their success.

Nursing Pinning 2026 Photos: https://bit.ly/4eOYe1L
Commencement 2026 Photos: https://bit.ly/4fnOeNc



Image descriptions:
1 - A graduate holds a bouquet of flowers and smiles, their face glowing underneath the sun.
2 - A nursing graduate hugs a professor on stage, a yellow rose in their hand.
3 - A graduate holds up their diploma folder as they leave ceremony.
4 - A row of decorated graduation caps, including one that says, "Took care of business."
5 - A graduate poses next to loved ones, holding their diploma folder and smiling.

05/14/2026

Our Class of 2026 proudly crossed the stage at Virginia State University on May 8, 2026.

See highlights from the special day: https://youtu.be/OLa6ap8VeK0



Video description: A montage of the ceremony, including shots of graduates getting ready, walking across the stage, and cheering the ceremony's speakers. Upbeat instrumental music plays throughout.

Our Class of 2026 proudly crossed the stage at VSU on May 8, 2026. See highlights from the special day. #...

05/11/2026

Brightpoint Community College was recently named to the 2026 Virginia School Boards Association Business Honor Roll!

Presented to the college by the Petersburg City School Board, this honor recognizes Brightpoint for its collaboration and efforts to support Petersburg’s public schools and students.

We're so proud of the work our faculty and staff do in and for our communities!



Image description: Petersburg City School Board members stand in a row. Brightpoint President Fiege stands in the center, holding an award.