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As a new semester gets underway, excitement fills the hallways at Southside Virginia Community College. Some students are taking fresh steps along pathways already begun, and others stand at the very beginning of their postsecondary education journeys. Some are navigating corridors at a campus in Keysville or Alberta, some are peeking into classrooms at one of our five off-campus facilities, and still others are finding their ways around the virtual hallways that connect distance learning options. To all these students, I extend a warm welcome.

SVCC is a friendly, open-door institution, and student success is our first priority. Our students come from a service area that spans ten counties and is about the same size as the entire state of Connecticut. That means students have vastly different needs, and each one has a unique plan for the future.

As a comprehensive institution of higher education, SVCC provides relevant and innovative programs to a student body that includes people who are first-time college students and those who are returning to education after abandoning previous efforts elsewhere. We serve dually enrolled students who will meet the requirements for high school graduation while simultaneously earning college credit. We provide a strong foundation for traditional students who are working toward an Associate degree that will transfer to a four-year institution, and we help others prepare to enter the workforce.

Many work-oriented students enroll in FastForward programs that can open entry-level doors or help existing workers upgrade skills to take their careers to the next step. These students will earn industry-recognized credentials that enable them to fill roles such as diesel technicians, truck drivers, power line workers, welders, HVAC technicians, healthcare aides, and more.

Still other students are pursuing Adult Education options. They are working on basic skills, GED® certification, English language learning, and workforce training. The integration of education and training prepares these individuals for further college pursuits or career entry.

Vondrenna Smithers, SVCC’s Student Experience Coordinator, knows what it’s like to stand at the beginning of a new pathway. She took her own initial steps into postsecondary education through a dual enrollment program while she was in high school. Smithers says. “I chose to attend community college first. It was one of my best decisions. I benefited financially from SVCC Foundation Scholarship opportunities, received a great education and internship, and completed my Associate of Arts and Science degree. I also built a strong support system among the faculty and staff.”

Students at SVCC take advantage of lower costs for postsecondary education, small classes, and well-trained, dedicated faculty. Education pathways lead to Associate Degrees and advanced standing for students transferring to four-year colleges. Workforce programs open doors for students to go directly to work at competitive wages.

If you are ready to begin something new, take your own first step. Admission at SVCC is simple. Apply online at southside.edu, and an advisor (we call them Navigators) will contact you to help guide you through the process.

Dr. Quentin R. Johnson is president of Southside Virginia Community College. He can be reached via email at quentin.johnson@southside.edu.