Southwest Virginia Higher Ed Center

MATTHEW ROBERTS Mount Rogers Class of ‘23 When Matthew arrived in Virginia from Indiana, he was looking for a fresh start. What he found at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center was something more: a path forward. That journey began with the Mount Rogers Regional Adult Education Program, which is housed at the Center. It was there that the program began helping Matthew prepare for his GED. They also helped him earn multiple certifications and he found new confidence in skills like math, interpreting charts and diagrams, and problem solving. With support from instructors and access to a wide range of resources, Matthew didn’t stop at his GED. He continued his academic career at Virginia Highlands Community College, pursuing an electrical technology associate degree. He stayed connected with Mount Rogers during his degree program, joining their “Tools for Success” program, which helps teach life skills. “Since becoming a Mount Rogers student, I feel more well-rounded in basic topics like money and careers, something school doesn't teach about,” said Matthew.

Over time, he began to feel a shift – not just in what he was learning, but in how he saw himself. “I have been completely reshaped over the last two years, and I’m very grateful,” he said. One key turning point came at a job fair hosted at the Higher Education Center. It was there that Matthew connected with a promising employment opportunity, one that matched his newly earned skills and qualifications. Now, with a solid foundation and a renewed sense of purpose, Matthew is setting his sights on the future. “I definitely feel ready to level up in my life,” he said. “I’m looking forward to adding credentials to my résumé and expanding my skill set.”

“I have been completely reshaped over the last two years and I’m very grateful.”

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Great People, Greater Stories

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