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The College
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 38 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.
Changes and supplements to this catalog will be issued as
necessary. Refer to the online catalog at
www.vhcc.edu for the most recent version of the catalog.