NRCC History Book

8

Dr. Patricia B. Huber

F or these past two has continued to shine as a beacon of educational innovation and opportunity for the region. Since its beginning this college has held fast to its mission to “give everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so that lives and communities are strengthened.” The first volume of decades, New River Community College

and at the same time more personalized. Without question, a hallmark of success for the college in providing access during these recent years has been the implementation of the Access to Community College Education (ACCE) program. Thanks to the support of local governments, the college’s Educational Foundation and Local College Board, as well as the overwhelming

the college’s history, published in 2002, chronicled the first 40 years of NRCC’s history and included a message from each of the five former presidents. A constant theme through all their messages is one of the “greatness” of the college, emanating from the dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators whose focus and purpose were to serve students. I am delighted to share that the “greatness” has continued through these next 20 years as well. Virginia’s Community Colleges were founded on the premise of bringing higher education opportunities to all citizens across all regions of the state. For years we have focused on the goal of “access and opportunity,” and that goal is still foremost today although the means of access have changed dramatically, especially with the continuing advancements in technology. Delivery of instruction and services through technology has become even more pervasive

support of the community at large, every recent high school graduate may now study and learn at NRCC debt-free for up to two years. At the same time, these students give back to their communities by engaging in volunteer service. This program has brought full attention to the meaning of “community” in our name, New River Community College. While “access” continues to be a driver for our work in the region, the college has also become more focused on adding “success” as a strategic goal. Success was always the understood, underlying goal; but we often thought of success in terms of enrollment numbers and graduation awards. Our work these last 20 years has become more focused on a holistic approach to serving students by removing barriers that disrupt their lives and block their academic pathways.

A Message from NRCC Presidents