SVCC's Career Coaches

MEET SVCC's CAREER COACHES!
Career coaches are a network
of community college
employees who are based in
high schools across Southside
Virginia. They help high
school students define their
career aspirations and to
recognize community college
and other postsecondary
programs, including
apprenticeships and
workforce training that can
help students achieve their
educational and financial
goals.
The fundamental objective of the SVCC High School Career Coach Program is to
empower students to make informed decisions about their career and educational
plans and to prepare students for success in postsecondary education and
training. The career coaches bring college to high schools!
Krisha Jones
SVCC Brunswick High School Career Coach

Krisha is a graduate of BHS! She is in her 9th year as the BHS Career Coach and enjoys
helping students to reach their full potential. One of her favorite quotes is from an unknown
author and she is quick to share it with her students, “Don’t be disappointed with the results you
don’t get from the work you didn’t do.”
Henry “Buck” Brockwell
SVCC Greensville County High School Career Coach
No stranger to education, Buck’s career path has included being a Work Cooperative Teacher
as well as Director of Vocational Education. He uses a series of You-Tube presentations
emphasizing ethics, apprenticeship, STEM-H, retail of the future, do rich and poor people think
differently, cool inventions and famous people’s success stories to communicate with students
and talk about career plans. According to Buck, “When a student makes informed decisions, I
feel they are preparing for the future.” He is a fan of this Bill Gates quote, “Life is not fair; get
used to it.”
Mona Rainey​
SVCC Bluestone High School Career
Coach
Kay Nichols
SVCC Park View High School Career
Coach
A retired middle school principal, Mona began

her career coach track in February of
2012. Mona’s student centered focus is a real
asset for her. Career coaching allows her to
play a role in providing support and guidance
to enhance student’s individual potential. She
feels that with the combined efforts of
parents, administrators, counselors and
teachers, students will become responsible
citizens who are prepared to enter career
pathways of their choice in this changing
world.
In her second year as a career coach, Kay
says, “It is no longer appropriate to give
children the idea they can do whatever they
want when they grow up. They need to learn
the real career opportunities and how to be
active participants. Our nation’s economy
depends on these students to be prepared
for jobs.” As a career coach, Kay meets
one-on-one with students to create career
interest inventories and works with each
student on a pathway to their career.
Rhonda Adams
SVCC Prince Edward County High School Career Coach
Rhonda has previous work experience in financial aid and college admissions. This background
is a big plus for her duties as a career coach. Transition from high school to college, workforce
training, or employment is challenging for students. As career coach, Rhonda provides the
support students need to meet these challenges. With over 8 years’ experience as a career
coach she now enjoys seeing the fruits of her labor as former students complete their education
and enter their careers. One of Rhonda’s favorite quotes from an unknown author she shares
with students is “If you never try, you’ll never know.”

Karl Staten
SVCC Halifax County High School Career Coach
Karl, a graduate of Halifax County High School, works with students to develop a realistic
plan of action to encourage success after high school. He is a resource for information
regarding college admissions, financial aid, scholarships, dual enrollment and all
career/academic related events.
Tina Maxey
SVCC Buckingham County High School Career Coach
Tina not only is the career coach at Buckingham, but she is a graduate! In her 11th year as
career coach, she is involved in community organizations such as the Dillwyn Volunteer Fire
Department Ladies Auxiliary and enjoys working with students. Tina works closely with school
counselors and the college advisor to assist seniors with the daunting task of the college
admissions process.
Melissa Colbert

SVCC Central of Lunenburg High School Career Coach
Melissa shares her favorite quote by Maya Angelou, “Nothing will work unless you do.” As a
business owner in Southside Virginia for 22 years, Melissa Colbert knows first-hand the
importance of having a skilled and trained workforce. She knows the value of education and the
challenges students face if they don’t have a clear pathway. Without support of school
counselors, administrators, teachers and career coaches, the majority of students will graduate
with IDK (I Don’t Know). She has been a career coach for 8 years.
Angela Pulliam-Jones
SVCC Amelia County High School Career Coach
Angela has tons of “people” experience. She has been working in the human services field for
20 years and higher education for five years. She enjoys the role of working with 9th through
12th graders to explore careers and career pathways. Angela’s primary focus is assisting
seniors as they transition from high school to postsecondary education, military, workforce
training, apprenticeship or employment. Angela shares one of her favorite quotes by an
unknown author, “Failure doesn’t mean the game is over, it means try again with experience.”
Kate E. Locke Tharpe
SVCC Randolph-Henry High School and Nottoway County High School Career Coach

Kate E. is a graduate of Randolph-Henry High School and has been a career coach for four
years. Kate E. works closely with school counselors and the college advisor to ensure every
senior has a clear pathway prior to graduation. She is a great student advocate and a resource
for financial aid and SVCC Scholarships. Kate E. shares her favorite quote from Dr. Seuss,
“You’re off to great places, Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, S0…get on your
way!"
Earnestine Robertson Sharpe
SVCC Cumberland County High School
Career Coach
Earnestine has over 35 years of experience in
providing educational and work opportunities
for students. Her experience includes
teacher/counselor, Education Coordinator in
the Richmond Community Action ABE/GED
program and Project Discovery’s Program
Director for STEPS Community Action
Agency. Her goal is to work with students at
Cumberland to increase the number who
enter postsecondary education and/or
workforce training programs to enable them
to prepare for success.