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Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

Oct 13, 2026

Richard Leigh & Friends Concert Raises $58,000 for Student Scholarships

An evening with three Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees brought music and storytelling to the Grand Hall while investing in students pursuing higher education close to home. ABINGDON, Va. An evening of acclaimed songwriting and community generosity...

Oct 7, 2026

Community Wellness Day brings learning and connection to Abingdon

The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center welcomed community members on Monday, Oct. 5, for Community Wellness Day, a day focused on practical information, regional resources and meaningful connections. The event brought together the Healthy Aging Fair and...

Oct 6, 2026

Virginia Tech partnership at Higher Ed Center expands autism support across Southwest Virginia

Two Virginia Tech projects supported by the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center are increasing access to autism assessments and helping educators better support autistic students across the region. Through the Hybrid Autism Assessments in Rural Communities...

Oct 1, 2026

Registration Now Open for Fall K-5 STEM Academy

Young learners across Southwest Virginia will have another opportunity to explore, experiment and build through hands-on learning this fall. Registration is now open for the Fall 2026 K-5 STEM Academy at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. The five-week...

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

Apr 23, 2026

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

Apr 16, 2026

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...

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