NVCC offers lots of flexible options for working adults
While most people are familiar with Northern Virginia Community College’s role in providing two-years of affordable higher education to recent high school graduates, they might
not appreciate the NVCC’s extensive programs for busy adults.
not appreciate the NVCC’s extensive programs for busy adults.
Working professionals can complete a degree or certificate
at the Annandale campus by taking classes on weekends or weeknights, supplemented
with online courses.
at the Annandale campus by taking classes on weekends or weeknights, supplemented
with online courses.
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| The student services building. |
As a sponsor of the Taste of Annandale, NVCC will have a
table set up at the June 13 community festival with information about the wide
range of options offered by the college, says Bob Hull community outreach
specialist.
table set up at the June 13 community festival with information about the wide
range of options offered by the college, says Bob Hull community outreach
specialist.
The Annandale campus is also holding information sessions on
special degree programs for adults on June 19, 6-8 p.m.: July 16, 5:30-7:30
p.m.; and Aug. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. All sessions will be in the president’s dining
room. For more information, contact Marc Robinson, 703-764-5069, [email protected].
special degree programs for adults on June 19, 6-8 p.m.: July 16, 5:30-7:30
p.m.; and Aug. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. All sessions will be in the president’s dining
room. For more information, contact Marc Robinson, 703-764-5069, [email protected].
There will also be a “Go Back Open House” on those programs on
Aug. 21, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., in the gym in the CE building on the Annandale campus.
Aug. 21, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., in the gym in the CE building on the Annandale campus.
Younger students still in high school who haven’t thought
about college are encouraged to take advantage of NVCC’s Pathway to the Baccalaureate program. The program eases the transition to college through a partnership
with Fairfax County Public Schools, seven other Northern Virginia school
districts, and George Mason University. It includes the development of individual college
plans, academic advising, placement testing, workshops on financial aid, summer
orientation, and help getting into GMU.
about college are encouraged to take advantage of NVCC’s Pathway to the Baccalaureate program. The program eases the transition to college through a partnership
with Fairfax County Public Schools, seven other Northern Virginia school
districts, and George Mason University. It includes the development of individual college
plans, academic advising, placement testing, workshops on financial aid, summer
orientation, and help getting into GMU.
Another NVCC program, Adult Career Pathways, provides extra support
to older students facing barriers to college success, such as those who are
unemployed or underemployed, veterans, single parents, and work-eligible
immigrants.
to older students facing barriers to college success, such as those who are
unemployed or underemployed, veterans, single parents, and work-eligible
immigrants.
While enrollment is decreasing in virtually all other
Virginia community colleges – a common trend when the economy is improving –
enrollment at NVCC is holding steady, Hull says.
Virginia community colleges – a common trend when the economy is improving –
enrollment at NVCC is holding steady, Hull says.
NVCC offers 160 different programs and confers more degrees
and certificates than any other two-year college in the United States. Last
year, about 78,000 individuals took at least one course online or at one of
NVCC’s four campuses or four centers. Nearly 26,000 students are in noncredit workforce
development programs.
and certificates than any other two-year college in the United States. Last
year, about 78,000 individuals took at least one course online or at one of
NVCC’s four campuses or four centers. Nearly 26,000 students are in noncredit workforce
development programs.
The Annandale campus was the first and is the largest campus,
with about 21,000 students.
with about 21,000 students.
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| Renovations under way at the Brault Building. |
The college’s newly named president, Scott Ralls, will start in
September. Ralls, currently president of the North Carolina Community College
System, succeeds Robert Templin Jr., who had been president of NVCC since 2002
and retired in February. Templin hasn’t left higher education, however; he’s
serving as a part-time senior fellow with the College Excellence Program at the
Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C.
September. Ralls, currently president of the North Carolina Community College
System, succeeds Robert Templin Jr., who had been president of NVCC since 2002
and retired in February. Templin hasn’t left higher education, however; he’s
serving as a part-time senior fellow with the College Excellence Program at the
Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, Mel Schiavelli, the former vice president for
academic affairs, is serving as acting president of NVCC until Ralls arrives. Ralls
will appoint a new provost for the Annandale campus to succeed Barbara
Saperstone who retired in February.
academic affairs, is serving as acting president of NVCC until Ralls arrives. Ralls
will appoint a new provost for the Annandale campus to succeed Barbara
Saperstone who retired in February.
The renovation of the Brault building, which houses the
office of the president and other NVCC administrative offices, is expected to
be completed this fall with employees moved in by spring 2016 – in time for the
college’s 50th anniversary in 2017.
office of the president and other NVCC administrative offices, is expected to
be completed this fall with employees moved in by spring 2016 – in time for the
college’s 50th anniversary in 2017.