FY 23 SWVHEC Annual Report

Radford University currently has two academic programs onsite: Masters in Strategic Communication and Masters in Counselor Education-School Counseling. Currently, nine students are served in

these programs. In FY23, Radford hosted 12 onsite professional development/community outreach events, with over 500 in attendance. Three online events were hosted out of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center with approximately 50 in attendance. Pictured: Amanda Baldwin-Estep, Ed.D., Site Coordinator, Radford University at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.

Virginia Commonwealth University continues their Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) for students to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) at the Center. Currently, there are 29 students enrolled in the DNAP program over three cohorts. VCU has partnered with the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center to host seven events for students. In December 2022, VCU graduated six students in the DNAP program. VCU

also provides educational programming for their Bachelors in Medical Laboratory Science degree. Currently five students are enrolled for in-person classes, with 71 students enrolled in Microbiology courses online and at VCU’s Richmond campus but taught out of the Center’s facility. VCU’s graduates have a nearly 100% success rate of securing

jobs upon graduation. One unique thing about VCU’s use of the Center is the lab and simulation space to provide hands-on education, which allows students in southwest Virginia to receive the exact same education as students on the main campus. This creates students who are well prepared for their professional careers. Pictured (R): Spring 2022 graduates of VCU’s Medical Laboratory Science program. Pictured (L): VCU’s simulation lab for anesthesiology.

The Mount Rogers Regional Adult Education Program currently has 435 students enrolled in its programs, with 76 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. Students are served by 22 instructors across eight localities in the Mount Rogers area. Over the past fiscal year, three students at the SWVHEC have earned

their GED and 15 students have received industry recognized credentials in Precision Machinist, Diesel Mechanics or Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), in partnership with Virginia Highlands Community College. Pictured: Imogene Carrington receiving her GED, along with instructor Tamara Grimm.

Virginia Cooperative Extension works to improve people’s lives through research conducted by Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. Programmatic events held at the SWVHEC include the 4-H History Bowl and Reality Store,

18 which serves over 845 students. VCE also hosted the Highlands Beekeepers Association, Pesticide, and Family Nutrition Program trainings which served 262 attendees. Committee meetings and District Conferences served 249 attendees. Pictured: 2023 4-H History Bowl Winners: High Point Elementary.