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The College |
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History of Virginia Highlands Community College
Virginia Highlands Community College was established on November 30, 1967 by action of the State Board for Community Colleges, and assigned a service region of Washington County, the western portion of Smyth County, and the city of Bristol, Virginia. Today it is one of 23 community colleges within the Virginia Community College System.
During its first academic year, 1969-1970, VHCC began delivering the occupational-technical programs that formerly were offered by the Washington County Technical School. More than 300 students enrolled in the first Virginia Highlands classes, which were offered at night in the technical school’s facilities.
The College moved to its permanent 100-acre campus during the summer of 1970 and, in response to the community’s needs, expanded its offerings to include both occupational-technical programs and baccalaureate-transfer programs.
Over its 37 years of operation, Virginia Highlands Community College has become a dynamic leader in Southwest Virginia with a primary goal of providing comprehensive and quality education for residents throughout its service region. The College served 3,364 students this past year by 122 full-time and 204 part-time faculty and staff. The rolling hills of the campus have been developed to include six modern buildings, athletic and recreational facilities, and substantial parking.
Programs and services also have changed to meet the needs of the local community. For example, the Center for Business and Industry was created in 1996 to better prepare the local workforce. The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center -- a separate organization located on the VHCC campus -- opened in 1998 to bring baccalaureate and graduate programs to the area, and the Arts Array program was expanded into a community-wide cultural program. During 2004 we welcomed our campus neighbor, the Stone Mill Business and Technology Park, and during 2006 construction of a Greenhouse was completed to support the Horticulture program.
In addition, the dual enrollment program now offered by the College is allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school, the service learning initiative is teaching VHCC students the value of volunteerism, and the Tobacco Outreach program is providing tuition assistance for tobacco farmers and their families.
State-of the-art technology has made it possible to take distance education courses and has provided the entire College community with modern, up-to-date computer facilities. Through Federal Trio programs – Student Support Services (Project EXCEL), Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search – middle school, high school and college students are receiving the academic help and encouragement they need to complete high school and succeed in college.
To evaluate each of its programs and services, the College utilizes a strategic planning process aimed at examining every aspect of campus life. This thorough self-examination will ensure Virginia Highlands Community College continues to achieve its fundamental mission of effectively serving a community that is always changing.
Virginia Highlands Community College promotes lifelong learning by providing quality, affordable higher education, including workforce training programs, that enable community members to succeed in today’s world.
As a responsible and accountable member of the Virginia Community College System, VHCC offers an effective learning environment, especially for all who live and work within Washington County, the western portion of Smyth County, and the city of Bristol. The College fulfills its mission by:
▪ Meeting the needs of community members by providing a diverse array of instructional programs, including career-technical programs, college transfer education, general education, developmental education, dual enrollment with area high schools, service learning and honors initiatives, continuing education, cooperative education, and workforce development services.
▪ Cultivating responsible citizens by broadening student perspectives.
▪ Utilizing a variety of instructional methods and resources to accommodate the diverse backgrounds, interests, and ability levels of students.
▪ Providing comprehensive support services that enhance learning opportunities and enable all students to achieve their educational, personal, and career goals.
▪ Fostering meaningful, productive partnerships with neighboring educational institutions and community service organizations as a means for enriching learning opportunities and enhancing the quality of life in the region.
▪ Offering a comfortable, safe and welcoming environment for students and community members to explore the talents, programs and facilities available on campus.
▪ Creating high standards and effective measures of success for every program and service.
Virginia Highlands Community College, a division of the Virginia Community College System, is approved by the State Board for Community Colleges and by the Virginia Community College Systems Office. The associate degree curricula of the College have also been approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
Virginia Highlands Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501: www.sacscoc.org) to award the Associate Degree. (Note: Inquiries to the Commission should relate only to the accreditation of VHCC, and not general admission information.) The College received initial accreditation in 1972 and accreditation reaffirmation in 1976, 1987 and most recently in 1997 for a period of ten years. Reaffirmation followed a period of self-study during which time the College took an in-depth look at its mission, explored ways and means of improving its programs and services, and charted its future course.
The Nursing Program is approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006, 800-669-1656, www.nlnac.org. NLN is officially recognized as the national accrediting agency for nursing education by the Council on Post-secondary Accreditation (COPA) and by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Radiography program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiography, which is recognized by the Council on Post-secondary Accreditation (COPA) and by the U.S. Department of Education as the national accrediting agency for radiologic education.
The Emergency Medical Services Technology program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP), 1361 Park St. Clearwater, FL 33756, 727-210-2350.
The College is approved for listing in U.S. Department of Education directories and for participation in various federally sponsored programs of students aid and educational assistance. It has also been approved by the Committee on Veterans Education and the State Department of Education for training of veterans.
Virginia Highlands Community College is an institutional member of the American Association of Community Colleges, the Southern Association of Community, Junior, and Technical Colleges, and the Association of Virginia Colleges.
The College reserves the right to make changes as required in course offerings, curricula, academic policies and other rules and regulations affecting students, to be effective at the discretion of the College. These changes will govern current and formerly enrolled students. Enrollment of all students is subject to these conditions.
Virginia Highlands Community College retains the right to make appropriate changes to remain in compliance with Virginia Community College System policy.
VHCC Educational Foundation, Inc.
Giving Opportunities – You Can Make a Difference
The VHCC Educational Foundation, Inc. is a separately incorporated non-profit organization established for the purpose of supporting the College, including its students, programs and services, activities, and facilities. During the 2005-06 academic year, the VHCC Foundation provided scholarships to our students and began construction on the Dr. Catherine Smith Labyrinth as a focal piece of the College’s landscape plan. In addition, the Foundation conducted a highly successful campus fund-raising campaign for student scholarships.
The Foundation Board includes 26 talented and influential community members who volunteer their time to promote the College. The Board is actively engaged in supporting a community campaign.
By taking this opportunity to help VHCC fulfill its mission, you can help ensure that the College continues to meet the critical needs of our service region. Your gift will truly open new opportunities for our young people, our workforce, our businesses and industries, our citizens from all walks of life, and our community of today and tomorrow.
Your tax deductible gift makes an important difference in what we can do. Commonly accepted gifts are cash, stock, real estate, life insurance, life income gifts and bequests. The VHCC Foundation welcomes gifts of all types and will work with you and your financial advisor to maximize the tax benefits for you and the value of your gift to the college. We are grateful for your support.
VHCC offers several recognition levels such as naming opportunities for campus buildings, endowed faculty chairs, classrooms, laboratories, gardens, etc. For more information about ways to help VHCC now and in the future, please contact, Carol B. Kimberlin, M.Ed., CFRE, Executive Director of the VHCC Educational Foundation, Inc., 276-739-2473 or ckimberlin@vhcc.edu.