Richard Bland College

Richard Bland College of William & Mary stands as a beacon of higher education, established in 1960 by the Virginia General Assembly. As the Commonwealth's junior college and a branch campus of the esteemed College of William & Mary, RBC has consistently focused on providing accessible, quality education to communities beyond Williamsburg. Named after the distinguished Virginia statesman Richard Bland, an alumnus of William & Mary and a fierce advocate for public rights during the colonial era, the college embodies a legacy of leadership and commitment to its community.

The very ground upon which Richard Bland College stands is steeped in American history. Once the Gurley family plantation, the campus bore witness to significant Civil War battles like Jerusalem Plank Road and Globe Tavern, and even hosted Abraham Lincoln in a nearby tavern. Following the war, the land transformed into a dairy farm, notable for its iconic pecan grove, before serving as a work camp during World War I. In a significant chapter of its history, the property became the Petersburg Training School and Hospital for African-American Youth in 1932, evolving through various iterations before its transformation into Richard Bland College in the 1960s.

Under the guidance of founding president Colonel James M. Carson, Richard Bland College opened its doors in 1961, quickly expanding its facilities to include academic buildings, a student center, and a gymnasium. Today, this expansive 750-acre rural campus boasts unique features like century-old pecan trees, restored farmhouses, a converted dairy barn theater, and a serene koi pond. A notable distinction: in 2008, Richard Bland College became the only two-year college in Virginia to offer on-campus housing, fostering a vibrant residential experience. Since 2012, the college has been led by its fourth president, Debbie L. Sydow, the first female to hold the position.

With an alumni network exceeding 18,000 individuals across the globe, Richard Bland College continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening the economy of Petersburg and the surrounding regions. While recent discussions regarding establishing an independent board of visitors have been blocked by the Virginia House Appropriations Committee, the college's core mission remains steadfast: empowering students to achieve their educational and career aspirations as "The Junior College of the Commonwealth of Virginia."