Newport News Mayor tours hands-on classrooms and labs preparing students for local careers
Newport News, VA (November 17, 2025) – ECPI University welcomed Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones for his first visit to the Newport News campus. During the tour, Mayor Jones explored technology and healthcare classrooms and saw firsthand how hands-on, career-focused education is meeting the Peninsula’s growing workforce needs.
The visit sparked a conversation about the vital role of skilled trades and technical education in closing regional workforce gaps. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Newport News employs about 84,500 residents across diverse industries, with manufacturing, engineering, and healthcare together accounting for roughly 11,000 local jobs.
As the city continues to see strong demand for technically trained professionals such as nurses, medical technologists, industrial technicians, and engineers, Mayor Jones and campus leaders discussed ways to expand awareness of high-demand career pathways made possible through accelerated, applied learning models.
“Mayor Jones’s visit was a breath of fresh air,” said John Olson, Campus President at ECPI University in Newport News. “He went straight into classrooms and connected with our students, many of whom are working adults, career changers, or military-affiliated learners. He understands that meeting the workforce needs of tomorrow means expanding awareness of education options beyond traditional four-year pathways, including technical degrees and apprenticeships.”
Through partnerships with local employers and city leaders like Mayor Jones, ECPI University continues to strengthen workforce development across the Peninsula, preparing students to excel in healthcare, technology, and engineering.
Media Contact:
Madison Dudley
Director of Public Relations
ECPI University
publicrelations@ecpi.edu
757-213-3613
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ABOUT ECPI University
Founded in 1966, ECPI University is a regionally accredited institution offering career-focused degree programs in technology, health science, business, criminal justice, and culinary arts. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, ECPI University has 18 campuses across Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Texas, and also delivers programs online to students nationwide. With accelerated learning and hands-on education, ECPI University has prepared more than 85,000 graduates for the real world through industry-driven curricula and strong employer partnerships.