The College  
Central Virginia Community College, a two-year institution established as a member of the Virginia Community College System, provides State-supported educational facilities beyond the high school level for the cities of Lynchburg and Bedford and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell. The curricula and programs of the College serve more than 228,000 people within this geographical jurisdiction.

With academic excellence its aim in all areas, the College offers various programs to meet the diverse needs of the region it serves. Its two-year college transfer programs in arts and sciences and in certain pre-professional areas lead to associate degrees and offer courses generally acceptable for transfer to four-year institutions. Its occupational and technical programs lead to diplomas, certificates, or associate of applied science degrees and are designed to prepare individuals for certain professions. Its other programs, including developmental work, workforce training for industry, and community service, offer instruction commensurate with the needs of individuals, groups or the area at large.

The College, in seeking to accomplish its purposes, operates in accordance with the policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and with the advice and support of a local community college board comprised of representatives of the cities and counties within the school’s jurisdiction. Though supported primarily by State funds, the College is partially financed by contributions from area governments, the Federal Government, businesses, individuals, and student tuition.

Location   TOP

Consisting of approximately 104 acres with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Central Virginia Community College campus is located at the intersection of U.S. Route 29 South and the Lynchburg Expressway (Route 501) within the city limits of Lynchburg. The campus is accessible either from U.S. 29 South (Wards Road) or State Route 766 (Wards Ferry Road).

Facilities   TOP

The College Building facilities of approximately 195,000 square feet include: general classrooms; various laboratories for computer and technical instruction; fine arts and photography studio-labs; occupational shops for welding, electronics, electricity, engineering and heating and air conditioning; learning resource center and library; distance education classrooms; student center and bookstore; counseling center; administrative offices, including accounting, admissions and records, apprenticeship, financial aid, and divisional offices, and faculty and staff offices; and the workforce development and continuing education training facility. Outdoor facilities include tennis courts and an athletic field located north-west of the campus facing the Lynchburg Expressway. Vehicle parking on campus is available for students, visitors, faculty and staff members.

History  TOP

The 1966 Session of Virginia’s General Assembly enacted legislation establishing a Statewide system of comprehensive Community Colleges to be located in regions serving every Virginian. The State Department of Technical Education, under the direction of Dr. Dana B. Hamel, was reorganized to form the State Department of Community Colleges. Dr. Hamel became the first Director to serve the Commonwealth in the new department.

Early in 1965, a local committee was formed to investigate the needs and feasibility of a community college for the Central Virginia region; and in July, 1966, the State Board for Community Colleges selected Central Virginia as a community college location to serve the cities of Lynchburg and Bedford and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell.

A committee of local business, civic, political, and industrial leaders and a professional site selection consultants team inspected and investigated more than 20 possible sites for the College before the selection was made. The site selected, where Central Virginia Community College presently stands, was approved by the State and Local Boards because of its geographic center to the service area’s population and accessibility to all major highways in the area.

In October, 1966, Dr. S. A. Burnette was named President of the College. He immediately set up an office in the Lynchburg area and began establishing the new College. The first meeting of the newly appointed, Local Advisory Board was held on March 14, 1967, and the name, Central Virginia Community College was selected. On July 1, 1967, Central Virginia Community College assumed responsibilities for the freshman and sophomore college transfer programs previously offered by the Lynchburg Branch of the University of Virginia’s School of General Studies. The College operated in temporary quarters during the school year of 1967-68 located in the 721 Court Street Building, the Krise Building, and the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center.

The site on U.S. Route 29 South, with the Appomattox (Administration) Building and the Amherst (Academic Instruction) Hall, became available for students and staff for occupancy in August, 1968. Dedication ceremonies were held on November 1, 1968. The College was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on December 3, 1969 and reaffirmed on December 12, 1973, on December 20, 1984, and again on December 13, 1994.

In January of 1972, Dr. M. Douglas Reed was named the second president of Central Virginia Community College. On January 1, 1974, Dr. Donald E. Puyear became the third president of Central Virginia Community College. Construction of additional College facilities was completed in 1975 with an addition to the Amherst Hall, the construction of the Bedford (Learning Resource Center) and the Campbell (Engineering Technology) Halls. On January 1, 1984, Dr. Johnnie E. Merritt became the fourth president of Central Virginia Community College. In 1988, the College participated in the establishment of the Region 2000 Program, which is intended to promote commercial and industrial development in the geographic/demographic region. The College established its Quality First Program in 1989 to offer to area businesses and industries. In July 1990, Central Virginia Community College formalized its economic development efforts by establishing a new Center for Business, Industry and Government. On January 1, 1992, Dr. Belle S. Wheelan became the fifth president of Central Virginia Community College. In July 1992 a General Obligation Bond was approved and issued by the State Legislature. The Bond Issue provided $3,500,000 to CVCC for the construction of a new building, Johnnie E. Merritt Hall. In 1995, CVCC reached its capital campaign goal of $1.5 million. Johnnie E. Merritt Hall was opened in Fall 1997 with the Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education on the first floor, and the Humanity and Social Science Division Office and several classrooms and laboratories on the second floor. On January 11, 1999, Dr. Darrel Staat became the sixth president of Central Virginia Community College. In June 2001, the CVCC Altavista Center opened in the former Lane Company building. In February 2002 the CVCC Brookneal Center opened in the town’s library. In August 2004, the CVCC manufacturing technology building opened with 35,000 square feet of laboratories and classrooms for machine tool, HVAC and electronics.

Mission of VCCS   TOP

The State Board for Community Colleges and Central Virginia Community College’s Local Board have officially adopted the following statements of mission and educational program goals. The Educational and General Activities of the College include all aspects of this statement of mission.

The Virginia Community College System functions within the educational community to assure that all individuals in the diverse regions of the Commonwealth of Virginia are given a continuing opportunity for the development and extension of their skills and knowledge through quality programs and services that are financially and geographically accessible.

The Virginia Community College System, through comprehensive community colleges, provides leadership in determining and addressing both the needs of individuals and the economic needs of the colleges’ service areas.

Occupational-technical education, transfer education, developmental studies, continuing education, and community services are the primary avenues through which the mission is fulfilled. To assure that all students have the opportunity for success, each college shall provide a comprehensive program of student development services.

The Virginia Community College System provides trained individuals through a cooperative effort with industry, business, professions, government and other educational institutions.

The mission shall be accomplished primarily through the operation of comprehensive community colleges throughout the Commonwealth, supported by the Virginia Community College System Offices. Individual colleges shall offer programs of instruction, extending not beyond the associate degree level, designed to respond to the needs of the Commonwealth and to particular needs of the persons of the region in which they are located. Each college serves a designated geographic region within the Commonwealth which represents the College’s campus.

Mission of Central Virginia Community College   TOP

Central Virginia Community College is an accessible, comprehensive, public, two-year higher education institution that is dedicated to:

1.	Providing open, flexible, affordable, quality learning opportunities for personal growth and the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary for productive and meaningful life,
2.	Providing general education, transfer, applied science, certificate and diploma programs,
3.	Determining and addressing the training needs of business, industry, and government to benefit the service area,
4.	Supporting workforce  and economic development through participation in regional organizations and training for new and/or expanding businesses
5.	Providing support services for education, training, technology infrastructure, and workforce development.

Statement of Values   TOP

The shared values concerning teaching and learning at Central Virginia Community College listed below are among the beliefs which guide the institution in the development of its mission, goals, philosophy, and operational procedures. Each value is followed by a series of supporting statements illustrating College support:

1.	The College values learning and provides occupational education which prepares the graduate to work at levels expected by the community; provides academic programs which prepare our students to succeed in upper division learning; provides educational opportunities for personal development; allocates resources for teaching and learning; employs qualified persons to facilitate learning; encourages the free interchange of ideas; provides and encourages life-long learning; and encourages active participation in educational opportunities.
2.	The College values access to educational opportunities and promotes its educational services; advocates keeping educational expenses affordable for our citizens; provides active recruitment and retention programs for students; provides equal opportunity in education and employment; structures the admission process to encourage enrollment; provides developmental courses when needed to qualify for entrance into programs; and encourages the development of programs with secondary and post-secondary institutions.
3.	The College values diversity and provides comprehensive educational programs; promotes understanding of cultural diversity; respects individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds; teaches students about the cultural, economic, political and social environments in which they live; respects and responds to students’ different learning styles; respects and accepts different teaching styles; and recognizes the importance of prior learning and experiences.
4.	The College values excellence in performance and establishes criteria of performance; expects students, faculty and staff to meet defined criteria; assesses performance; recognizes outstanding performance; encourages persons to serve as positive role models; promotes initiative, innovation and accountability; promotes professional development of faculty and staff; encourages persons to be aware of relevant current research; and assesses programs’ effectiveness.
5.	The College values a supportive environment and establishes a safe, attractive and functional environment; provides assistance in meeting standards; promotes positive attitudes conducive to teaching and learning; provides advisement and counseling to support the needs of students; provides a variety of scholarships and financial aid programs; sponsors student organizations and extracurricular activities; and encourages a caring attitude among student, faculty and staff.
6.	The College values democratic decision making and establishes and maintains a governance structure for shared decision making; expects ethical decision making; stresses honesty and integrity; establishes and maintains an effective communication structure; communicates accurately and promptly; and invites ideas and suggestions from all citizens of our service area.
7.	The College values community service and cooperates with other educational organizations; sponsors activities which enrich the community; plans educational programs with business, industry, and government; assesses the community’s learning needs; addresses the educational needs of the community; responds to the changing needs of the community; and anticipates the future needs of the community.

Accreditation   TOP

Central Virginia Community College is one of 23 colleges in the Virginia Community College System. The associate degree curricula of the College have been approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Central Virginia Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033, telephone (404) 679-4500 to award the associate degree.

The College is a member of the College Entrance Examination Board and the College Scholarship Service. The College is also a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.

The Radiologic Technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 900, Chicago, Illinois 60606-2901. The Respiratory Therapy Technology program is accredited by the the Commission on Accredition of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970, Chicago, Illinois 60606. The Medical Laboratory Technology program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, Illinois 60631.