News
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
Sep 29, 2026
Ed Morgan Explores Southwest Virginia’s Natural Riches in New Book
A map of the nation’s biodiversity hot spots sparked a new adventure for Ed Morgan, coordinator of the College for Older Adults at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. His new book, Notes on the State of Southwest Virginia, shares that journey through...
Sep 17, 2026
SWVA Higher Education Center Awarded $62,665 to Strengthen Opioid Overdose Response Training
The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center has been awarded $62,665 to establish a Simulation-Based First Responder Training Initiative focused on opioid overdose response and other substance-related emergencies. The funding was awarded by the Virginia Opioid...
Sep 15, 2026
New Discovery Days Series Offers Hands-On Learning While School Is Out
Five full-day camps at the SWVA Higher Ed Center will give middle school students opportunities to explore careers, develop new skills and discover future possibilities. When school is out, middle school students can keep learning, creating and discovering at the...
Sep 10, 2026
Hall of Fame Songwriters to Perform in Abingdon for Memorial Scholarship Concert
Three Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees will share an evening of songs and stories on October 10, with proceeds supporting students pursuing education at the SWVA Higher Ed Center. Music will help open doors for students this fall as three of Nashville’s...
Sep 1, 2026
Free Community Wellness Day brings health resources and connection to Abingdon Oct. 5
Join us Monday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a free day of health, resources and connection for all ages and abilities. Community Wellness Day will bring together the Healthy Aging Fair and Appalachian Independence Center’s Pathways to Possibilities, with...
Aug 13, 2026
Fall Classes at SWVA Higher Ed Center Explore Appalachia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage
From forgotten grasslands and river cane to black bears, mushrooms and Appalachian modernism, a new lineup of fall classes at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center will invite residents to see the region from new perspectives. The six-week classes begin...
Jul 31, 2026
Free Adult Education Classes Begin August 10
Whether you're working toward your GED, building your computer skills, or preparing for a new career, Mount Rogers Regional Adult Education offers free classes designed to help you reach your goals. Fall classes begin August 10, with opportunities for adults to:...
Jul 29, 2026
Appalachian College of Pharmacy Summer Camp Introduces Students to Careers in Healthcare
For one day, students stepped into the role of a pharmacist. Mixing medications, practicing patient assessments, and working with a human simulator were just a few of the hands-on experiences awaiting participants during the Appalachian College of Pharmacy Summer...
Jul 28, 2026
Virginia First Gentleman Visits Higher Ed Center to Learn About Regional STEM Initiatives
The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center recently welcomed Virginia First Gentleman Adam Spanberger to campus to learn how regional partnerships are expanding STEM education and strengthening workforce development across Southwest Virginia. During the visit,...
Jul 22, 2026
Dual Enrollment Program Housed at the Higher Ed Center Expands Educational Opportunities
A. Linwood Holton Governor's School, a regional virtual dual enrollment program housed at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, was recently featured by Blue Ridge PBS, highlighting the opportunities it provides for high school students across Southwest...
Jul 16, 2026
Celebrating 35 Years of Opportunity at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
Thirty-five years ago, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center was established with a bold vision: to expand access to higher education and strengthen the economy of Southwest Virginia. Since opening its doors in 1991, the Higher Ed Center has grown into a...
Jul 15, 2026
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Receives $300,000 Grant to Create New STEM Science Laboratory
Pictured: Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Executive Director David Matlock (left) and the Wellspring Foundation Executive Director Sean McMurray in the future lab space. The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center has received a $300,000 grant from...
Jul 6, 2026
Turning a Passion Into a Career: Brayden’s Apprenticeship Success Story
Not every career begins in a classroom. For Brayden, it started with a passion for autobody and a chance to learn by doing. After discovering his interest through the autobody program at the Washington County Career & Technical Education Center, Brayden took...
Jul 2, 2026
Southwest Virginia Healthcare Workforce Partnership Awards Scholarships to Future Healthcare Professionals
Three students pursuing careers in healthcare are one step closer to achieving their goals thanks to scholarships awarded through the Southwest Virginia Healthcare Workforce Partnership. With generous support from Claude Moore Opportunities and the Wellspring...
Jun 10, 2026
New Study Shows Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Generates Nearly $30 Million in Annual Economic Impact
A newly released economic impact analysis shows that the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center generates nearly $30 million in annual economic activity, supporting jobs, businesses, and local tax revenue throughout Southwest Virginia. The study, compiled by...
Jun 3, 2026
Public Notice of Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center’s June 11, 2026 Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center will meet on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 4:15 p.m. at the Higher Education Center, One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, Virginia. Public comment will not be...
May 14, 2026
Summer STEM Camps Offer Hands-On Learning Opportunities for Regional Students
The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center is helping students stay engaged, explore future careers, and build new skills this summer through a series of hands-on STEM camps in partnership with regional educational institutions. This summer’s lineup includes...
May 6, 2026
Public Notice of Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center’s June 11, 2026 Board Meeting
The Board of Trustees of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center will hold its biannual meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the Higher Education Center, One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, Virginia. Members of the public may witness the...
Apr 27, 2026
Dr. Crystal Hunnicutt Inducted into AANA 2026 Class of Fellows
Dr. Crystal Hunnicutt Inducted into AANA 2026 Class of Fellows
Apr 23, 2026
From Ghana to Southwest Virginia: One Student’s Journey to Make a Global Impact
From Ghana to Southwest Virginia: One Student’s Journey to Make a Global Impact
Apr 20, 2026
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Expands Workforce Pipeline Through Registered Apprenticeships
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Expands Workforce Pipeline Through Registered Apprenticeships
Apr 16, 2026
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Foundation Welcomes New Director of Development, Signals Renewed Focus on Student Support
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Foundation Welcomes New Director of Development, Signals Renewed Focus on Student Support
Apr 2, 2026
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Showcases Artwork by Donna Johnson
The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center is currently featuring the work of regional artist Donna Johnson on its Art Wall, with the exhibit on display through June. Johnson, a Smyth County resident, creates vibrant, textured pieces using oil paints applied...
Mar 26, 2026
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for Regional Simulation Lab
The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 26 to celebrate the opening of its new Regional Simulation Lab, a state-of-the-art training space designed to support healthcare education and workforce development across the...
Mar 19, 2026
Virginia Secretary of Education Visits Campus as Part of VDOE Listening Tour
The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center recently welcomed Virginia Secretary of Education Dr. Jeffery Smith to campus as part of the Virginia Department of Education’s statewide listening tour. During his visit, Secretary Smith toured the Center’s Regional...
Mar 16, 2026
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center launches lifelike simulation lab for students
Article courtesy of WCYB. ABINGDON, Va. (WCYB) — The patients may not be real, but they're as life-like as possible. We can change their heart rate, their respiratory rate, we can change their heart, lung, and bowel sounds, they act like real people in a...
Mar 2, 2026
Two Hillsville Elementary Teams Advance to International FIRST LEGO League Competition
Two robotics teams from Hillsville Elementary School have earned a spot on the international stage after ranking in the top five in Virginia in the FIRST LEGO League. The teams advanced from a field of more than 190 teams statewide, marking a significant...
Feb 23, 2026
VCU Medical Laboratory Science Program to Offer Four Full Scholarships for Abingdon Site
Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program will offer up to four full scholarships for incoming students at the Abingdon site next year. These scholarships will cover tuition, fees, and textbooks for two years, emphasizing the importance of MLS professionals, who play a vital role in patient care and face increasing job demand.
Jan 29, 2026
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center to Host Multiple Choice Screening
The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center will host a free screening of Multiple Choice on March 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., inviting the community to explore a timely and thought-provoking conversation about the future of education in America. Multiple Choice...
Jan 22, 2026
Indoor Garage Sale Rescheduled to March 14
Due to the forecasted inclement weather, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center’s annual Indoor Garage Sale has been postponed. The event will now take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This popular community event will still...
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