2023-2024 Virginia Banking Fellows Program
Bank Sponsor Resources

Internal Links Monica McDearmon

Thank you for your support of the 2023-2024 Virginia Banking Fellows Program, in partnership with the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE). We are excited to partner with your bank for this program.

On this page, bank sponsors will find all of the information they need to know leading up to and during the program. 

Program Timeline

  • August 14 – Bank sponsors virtual meeting
    • View the recording of the meeting here.
  • August 2023 - Banks will receive a customizable press release announcing the partnership to share with media contacts (see the Press Kit section below for more information)
  • September 14-15 - Fellows Program Orientation, including a Virginia Banking Fellows Program Orientation, for all students/bankers at the VBA Office in Glen Allen
    • View the Fellows Orientation Agenda Here!
    • For any bankers who need hotel accommodations for the evening of 9/14, please call the number below and tell them that you are with the Virginia Bankers Association:
      Homewood Suites by Hilton Richmond-West End/Innsbrook
      4100 Innslake Drive Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
      (804) 217-8000
  • September 2023-May 2024 - Fellows Program Official Window
  • June-August 2024 - VBA Internship Program (if applicable)

2023-2024 Virginia Banking Fellows – Student Information

Ideas for Bank Engagement & Student Outreach

Initial Outreach to students

Banks – please use the below template as your initial outreach to students. Feel free to customize as you see fit to use in your email communication. 

Below are some ideas of ways to engage with the Fellows beginning in the fall of 2023. Please note that all engagement opportunities should be presented as optional and once we have Fellows identified and learn more about each of the students, a variety of other opportunities may become clear. Have an idea to share with the group? Please email it to Monica!

  • Invite Fellows to attend VBA-sponsored events with your team (see list below)
  • Invite Fellows to join bank leadership/emerging bank leaders for coffee, lunch, dinner, virtual coffee hour, etc.
  • Invite Fellows to an “all employee day” or other bank-wide events 
  • Invite Fellows to be a special guest during your bank’s VBA Bank Day Scholarship Program gathering
  • Invite Fellows to attend community events where your bank may be sponsoring, working a booth, etc. (this could also help the student complete their community service requirement)
  • In the spring of 2024, explore possible internship opportunities with the Fellows (if available)

VBA Sponsored Events

Fellows will be invited to attend the following VBA events* from September 2023-May 2024 as a way to learn more about the industry and the career opportunities in banking. Attendance at all of these events is completely optional! 

*Event details are subject to change.

VFCCE Fellows Program General Information & Important Dates

The Virginia Banking Fellows Program is part of the overall VFCCE Fellows Program. Virginia Banking Fellows will have access to the following opportunities through the VFCCE Fellows Program*:

  • Program Orientation – September 14-15, VBA Office, Glen Allen
  • Leadership Discussion, featuring VCCS Chancellor Dr. David Dore and VBA President & CEO Bruce Whitehurst – November 3 at 11:30 a.m.
  • VCCS Student Leadership Conference – November 10-12, 2023, The Hotel Roanoke
  • 1st Community Service Report Due – December 4, 2023
  • Winter Program: Annual Legislative Event & Reception – January 23-24, 2024, Richmond
  • 2nd Community Service Report Due – April 22, 2024
  • Spring Leadership Finale – May 2024, Richmond, specific details TBD

*More details about these events will be available later this year. Specific programs are subject to change.

ABA Course Information

As part of their experience, Virginia Banking Fellows will have the opportunity to take online training through the American Bankers Association (ABA). There are a variety of self-paced course options for many different function areas of banking as well as general industry training. 

Students will learn more about these options during their Orientation and will make a selection for a course to take in the spring of 2024. 

2024 ABA Course Options

Bank Sponsor Press Kit

bank sponsor customizable press release

Customizable Press Release

You can view the VBA press release that was sent to our statewide media contacts on 9/8/23 here.

Virginia Banking Fellows Program Logos:

Bank Sponsor Program Logos:

VFCCE & Bank Sponsor Contact Information

VFCCE  
Anne Rogers arogers@vccs.edu
Karen Dyer kdyer@vccs.edu
Bank Sponsors – Main Contacts    
American National Bank & Trust Co. Stetson Franklin

franklins@amnb.com
Atlantic Union Bank Nathalia Artus

nathalia.artus@atlanticunionbank.com
Blue Ridge Bank Dorothy Welch dorothy.welch@mybrb.bank
Chesapeake Bank Amy Mitchem amitchem@chesbank.com
First Bank, Virginia Candace Davenport

cdavenport@fbvirginia.com
First Bank, Virginia Greg Hoover ghoover@fbvirginia.com
The Bank of Clarke Foundation Marianne Schmidt mschmidt@bankofclarke.com
TowneBank Meredith Elliott

meredith.elliott@townebank.net