UVa-Wise Welcomes SWCC to SVTDC
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise has welcomed Southwest Virginia Community College to the Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center in Lebanon.
Chancellor David J. Prior and SWCC President J. Mark Estepp inked a five-year agreement in which the community college will offer various academic programs at the SVTDC. UVa-Wise operates the Center, located at 141 Highland Drive in Lebanon.
SWCC has transferred the operation of its Lebanon Education and Training Center to the SVTDC and began offering classes there on June 2.
“We’re doing all we can to ensure a smooth transition,” said Shannon Blevins, director of economic development with UVa-Wise and executive director of the SVTDC. “The partnership will be good for Russell County and the region. We will have a community college and a four-year institution under the same roof.”
“SWCC has offered classes in Russell County for over 30 years,” said SWCC President Dr. J. Mark Estepp. “The SWCC Lebanon Education and Training Center has been in operation since 1994 and is one of our most successful off-campus locations. The partnership with UVa-Wise and SVTDC is one of the most exciting chapters in the college’s evolution of service to the people of our region.”
The partnership between UVa-Wise, SWCC and the SVTDC creates a higher learning center that allows students to complete two years at a well-respected community college before completing baccalaureate studies at a top public liberal arts college.
“UVa-Wise and SWCC have been providing educational opportunities for the citizens of our region for decades,” said UVa-Wise Chancellor David J. Prior. “We are delighted that the two institutions will be working even more closely in this important work we do. The resulting synergy should benefit our students immensely.”
Posted June 4, 2009