Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ

At a Glance

students gathered together smiling

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ At a Glance

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ is one of 23 colleges within the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), which is governed by the State Board for Community Colleges. On this page, learn more about our mission, accreditation, affiliations and history.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ is accredited by the to award the associate degree. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree level.

Questions about the accreditation of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on .

For other information about the College, please contact Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s Administrative Offices, 4001 Wakefield Chapel Road, Annandale, Virginia 22003 (703-323-3000). Curricula of the College are approved by the College Board and by the State Board. The two-year associate degree programs are also approved by the .

Our Mission

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ provides equitable access to affordable and exceptional higher education and workforce programs, transforming the lives of our students and advancing opportunity in our community.

Our Vision

To be a learning-centered organization that promotes student success.

Our Core Values

Care is demonstrated at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ through a culture of compassion where success and well-being are prioritized in our commitment to developing authentic relationships and providing resources to foster a supportive and thriving community.

Excellence is demonstrated at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ through our high quality and cutting-edge programs; innovative, talented and experienced faculty and staff; and strong and effective relationships with employer and university partners — all to ensure our students are ready for graduation, transfer and high-demand careers.

Inclusion is demonstrated at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ through our intentional commitment to welcoming, supporting and engaging diverse people and perspectives so that a sense of belonging is cultivated throughout our college community.

Integrity is demonstrated at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ through adherence to principles and actions that foster accountability, honesty and trustworthiness; commitment to truth and fairness is ensured by ethical, equitable and professional behavior, and prioritizing the needs of students and the community we serve.

Respect is demonstrated at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ through treating each other with courtesy and dignity, acknowledging and valuing differing ideas and perspectives, affirming the uniqueness of every individual and being mindful of personal boundaries.


Strategic Plan 2023–2026

Inspiring Excellence: A Bold Blueprint for Student Success

This document describes the strategic planning process and its context and purposes. It also outlines the priorities Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ is focused on and describes the goals, objectives and activities through which the College will achieve these priorities.

View the strategic plan

Timeline

College History

  • 1964 – Northern Virginia Technical College was established.
  • 1965 – First classes were held with 761 students and 46 faculty and staff members in a single building in Baileys Crossroads. Robert W. McKee was the first president.
  • 1966 – The College was renamed Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ). The college purchased 78 acres in Annandale in 1966 for construction of the first of six Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ campuses.
  • 1967 – Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ opened its first campus, the Annandale Campus.
  • 1968 – Dr. Richard J. Ernst became Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s second president.
  • 1969 – The original plan of establishing one central campus and four satellite centers was changed to a concept of five campuses supported by a central administration.
  • 1971 – Construction began on the Eastern Campus, later know as the Alexandria Campus.
  • 1972 – Originally known as the Western Campus, the Manassas Campus first offered classes in the fall of 1972.
  • 1972 – Originally known as the Southern Campus, the Woodbridge Campus first offered classes in the fall of 1972.
  • 1973 – The Alexandria Campus opened.
  • 1974 – The Loudoun Campus opened.
  • 1975 – Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ offered its first distance learning courses in 1975.
  • 1979 – The NVCC Educational Foundation was created.
  • 1983 – The Alumni Federation was chartered.
  • 1988 – The semester system began at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ.
  • 1998 – Dr. Richard J. Ernst retired and Dr. Belle Wheelan became Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s third president.
  • 2002 – Dr. Belle Wheelan left Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ to become the Secretary of Education for Virginia. Dr. Charles L. Downs served as interim president from January to August. Dr. Robert G. Templin, Jr. became the College’s fourth president in August 2002.
  • 2003 – The Medical Education Campus (MEC) opened in Springfield in fall 2003.
  • 2006 – The Arlington Center and Reston Center opened for classes.
  • 2007 – Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ became an Achieving the Dream College.
  • 2008 – The Innovation Park Center in Manassas opened for classes.
  • 2009 – Signal Hill in Sterling opened for classes.
  • 2010 – Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ was distinguished as an Achieving the Dream Leader College.
  • 2014 – Dr. Robert G. Templin Jr., announced his intention to retire in February 2015.
  • 2015 – Dr. Scott R. Ralls became the fifth president of the College in September 2015.
  • 2018 – The Extended Learning Institute (ELI) was renamed to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Online.
  • 2019 – Dr. Melvyn Schiavelli became interim president in 2019.
  • 2020 – Dr. Anne M. Kress became the sixth president of the College in January 2020.

Certain activities of the College come under the supervision of SCHEV, a body that plays a prominent role in planning for higher education in the Commonwealth.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ is one of 23 colleges within the VCCS, which is governed by the State Board for Community Colleges.

College Board

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ has a local advisory board of 11 members.

Shared Governance

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ's representative bodies include the College Senate, Forum Standing Committees and Forum Councils.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ has strong ties to many great community and academic organizations. Check out the list of businesses Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ is proud to be associated with:

  • Annandale Chamber of Commerce
  • Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce