Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) successfully hosted another annual Roadrunner Day, welcoming more than 100 high school students to campus to explore post-secondary education, workforce credentials, and career pathways.
For over a decade, Roadrunner Day has served as a flagship event for MGCC, offering regional youth an insider’s look at college life. Participating students toured state-of-the-art facilities, engaged directly with faculty and staff, and learned how the college supports student success through academic guidance, hands-on training, and financial aid resources.
This year’s event hosted students from six area schools and organizations:
- Alleghany County High School
- Bath County High School
- Rockbridge County High School
- Parry McCluer High School
- James River High School
- Boys Home of Virginia
Roadrunner Day is designed to show students that no matter their goals after high school, MGCC offers tailored pathways to help them achieve success while saving time and money. During the visit, attendees explored a wide range of academic and career offerings, including:
- Four-Year University Transfer Programs: Pathways in fields such as Business and Psychology, designed for students planning to complete foundational coursework at MGCC before transferring credits to a four-year university.
- Healthcare Careers: High-demand programs in Nursing that prepare students for immediate entry into the healthcare workforce.
- Skilled Trades & Technical Certifications: Fast-track, hands-on training in high-opportunity industries, including Welding, Healthcare, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Mechatronics, and Forestry.
“For more than ten years, Roadrunner Day has been about showing area students that a high-quality, affordable education is well within their reach,” said Suzanne Ostling, Associate Vice President at Mountain Gateway. “Whether a student wants to launch a trade career, enter healthcare, or earn credits toward a bachelor’s degree, MGCC provides the academic foundation, hands-on tools, and financial resources to turn those ambitions into reality.”
By choosing MGCC, students can complete credentials faster and enter the workforce or transfer with significantly less student debt.