MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Pollard
Assistant Vice Chancellor Strategic Communications
spollard@vccs.edu
Richmond, VA – On Thursday, March 20, at its bi-monthly meeting which this month, was held on the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, the Virginia Community College System’s (VCCS) 15-member State Board voted unanimously to pass a resolution to affirm the system’s values and compliance with recent guidance on discrimination and merit-based opportunity.
“The adoption of this resolution by the State Board for Community Colleges does not change our values,” said Terri Thompson, Chair, State Board of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “Our mission “to give everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened” will always be at the heart of everything we do. I am confident the Chancellor and all 23 Presidents will continue to comply with all federal and state laws and foster a culture of care and success for all students.”
This resolution aligns with recent guidance on discrimination and merit-based opportunities, reinforcing the VCCS’s ongoing dedication to creating a supportive learning environment for all students and promoting a “culture of care and success in which every student feels valued, respected and supported to perform to their full potential.” The resolution, in its entirety, can be viewed here.
Dr. David Doré, Chancellor for the VCCS, further emphasized that the mission of Virginia’s community colleges has not changed. “A fundamental component of Virginia’s Community Colleges is our open admission model in which anyone with a desire to learn is empowered to reach their full potential. Diversity in all its forms, respect, and inclusivity are core values of Virginia’s Community Colleges and are honored through a unified culture of care, opportunity, and success for our students and employees. Each of our colleges reflects its distinct community. And, together with their communities, our colleges contribute directly to shared success across the Commonwealth. Virginia’s Community Colleges share a conviction in the power of education to improve lives, support families, and strengthen communities. We will continue to be laser-focused on our students and their success. Our mission remains the same.”
About Virginia’s Community Colleges:
Since 1966, Virginia’s Community Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills, so lives and communities are strengthened. By making higher education and workforce training available in every part of Virginia, we elevate all of Virginia. In the academic year 2024, Virginia’s Community Colleges served more than 232,000 students across 23 schools throughout Virginia. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu.
