GENERAL INFORMATION

Southwest Virginia Community College is a two-year institution of higher education established as a part of a state-wide system of community colleges serving primarily the residents of the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson (partial), Russell and Tazewell. The College operates under policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and a Local College Board. The institution is financed primarily by State funds supplemented by contributions from the participating localities.

The College operates on the semester system and is open on a year-round basis. Classes normally are held from 8:00 am through 9:50 pm. The availability of college credit courses in the evening allows the student who must work while going to college the opportunity to coordinate college activities with employment.

HISTORY

The 1966 General Assembly of Virginia authorized the establishment of a state-wide system of comprehensive community colleges and appointed a separate State Board to develop a Master Plan for a state-wide system of community college education in Virginia. The Master Plan designated a community college to be established in the area serving the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson (partial), Russell, and Tazewell.

A delegation of local citizens met with State officials to determine the feasibility of immediate development of a community college for the region. A local College Board was appointed in the summer of 1967. The Local Board recommended that the college be named Southwest Virginia Community College and that Dr. Charles R. King be appointed as president.

The College opened to students in the fall of 1968 with an initial enrollment of 710 students. Fall 2010 credit enrollment was 3,758 unduplicated headcount students.