Virginia Highlands Community College offers the full array of academic program offerings mandated by the VCCS, adhering to all the outlined criteria, standards and requirements. (See
Section
1.2.3 of this manual.)
The following section provides a basic description of
VHCC's offerings in each of the mandated program areas:
A. Career/Technical Education at VHCC
VHCC offers a variety of
career/technical education programs designed specifically to prepare individuals for employment as technicians, paraprofessional workers, or skilled craftsmen in industry, business, the professions, and government. Program offerings include short-term career certificates, one- and two-year certificates or diplomas, and two-year Associate
of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. These credit
programs are offered through the academic units
of the college (Business, Humanities & Social
Sciences Division; Science & Engineering
Technologies Division; and the Nursing and
Allied Health Division) with some short-term career certificate programs offered through
Workforce Training & Continuing Education.
VHCC seeks to meet the needs for workers in the region and, with input from program-based citizens’ advisory committees, makes modifications and changes to its
career/technical education programs as changes occur in technology and the economy. Both theory and application are taught in the
career/technical curricula with an emphasis on the following workplace success factors: 1) the ability to adapt to changing situations; 2) business and professional ethics; 3) safety concerns; 4) teamwork; and 5) the pursuit of quality standards.
B. College Transfer Education at VHCC
VHCC offers a variety of transfer education programs designed for two specific purposes: 1) to provide educational programs within selected professional fields including first- and second-year courses which are widely acceptable for transfer to four-year colleges and universities; and 2) to provide educational programs that afford maximum flexibility so that specific courses may be selected to meet transfer requirements of selected four-year colleges and universities. All VHCC’s transfer curricula are two-year Associate
of Arts & Sciences (AA&S) degree programs with majors in a variety of fields. These credit programs are offered through the academic divisions of the college (Business, Humanities & Social Sciences Division and Science & Engineering Technologies Division).
C. General Education at VHCC
[Reference: Table 5-1 –
Minimum Requirements for Associate Degrees in
the VCCS – VCCS Policy Manual.]
VHCC seeks to promote general education
instruction which addresses the knowledge,
skills, attitudes, and values characteristic of
educated persons and meets standards set by the
VCCS, the State Council of Higher Education for
Virginia (SCHEV) through its core competency
assessment program, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) through its
general education requirements.
In 2006, the VCCS adopted a competency-based
model for general education instruction delivery
developed through a faculty-driven review
process with system-wide input. The model
pertains to all two-year degree graduates and
includes student learning outcomes in seven
general education goal areas. The model enables
the alignment of VCCS general education
requirements, SCHEV core competencies, and SACSCOC
general education requirements under one
outcomes-based initiative.
VHCC implements its General Education Initiative
according to the following General Education
Goals and Student Learning Outcomes:
VHCC degree graduates will demonstrate
competency in the following general education
areas:
-
Communication:
A competent communicator can
interact with others using all forms of
communication, resulting in understanding and
being understood.
VHCC degree graduates will demonstrate the
ability to:
1.1 understand and interpret complex materials;
1.2 assimilate, organize, develop, and present
an idea formally and informally;
1.3 use standard English;
1.4 use appropriate verbal and non-verbal
responses in interpersonal relations and group
discussions;
1.5 use listening skills; and
1.6 recognize the role of culture in
communication.
-
Critical Thinking:
A competent critical
thinker evaluates evidence carefully and applies
reasoning to decide what to believe and how to
act.
VHCC degree graduates will demonstrate the
ability to:
2.1 discriminate among degrees of credibility,
accuracy, and reliability of inferences drawn
from given data;
2.2 recognize parallels, assumptions, or
presuppositions in any given source of
information;
2.3 evaluate the strengths and relevance of
arguments on a particular question or issue;
2.4 weigh evidence and decide if generalizations
or conclusions based on the given data are
warranted;
2.5 determine whether certain conclusions or
consequences are supported by the information
provided; and
2.6 use problem solving skills.
-
Cultural and Social Understanding:
A
culturally and socially competent person
possesses an awareness, understanding, and
appreciation of the interconnectedness of the
social and cultural dimensions within and across
local, regional, state, national, and global
communities.
VHCC degree graduates will demonstrate the
ability to:
3.1 assess the impact that social institutions
have on individuals and culture – past, present,
and future;
3.2 describe their own as well as others’
personal ethical systems and values within
social institutions;
3.3 recognize the impact that arts and
humanities have upon individuals and cultures;
3.4 recognize the role of language in social and
cultural contexts; and
3.5 recognize the interdependence of distinctive
world-wide social, economic, geo-political, and
cultural systems.
-
Information Literacy:
A person who is
competent in information literacy recognizes
when information is needed and has the ability
to locate, evaluate, and use it effectively.
(Adapted from the American Library Association
definition.)
VHCC degree graduates will demonstrate the
ability to:
4.1 determine the nature and extent of the
information needed;
4.2 access needed information effectively and
efficiently;
4.3 evaluate information and its sources
critically and incorporate selected information
into his or her knowledge base;
4.4 use information effectively, individually or
as a member of a group, to accomplish a specific
purpose; and
4.5 understand many of the economic, legal, and
social issues surrounding the use of information
and access and use information ethically and
legally.
-
Personal Development:
An individual engaged
in personal development strives for physical
well-being and emotional maturity.
VHCC degree graduates will demonstrate the
ability to:
5.1 develop and/or refine personal wellness
goals; and
5.2 develop and/or enhance the knowledge,
skills, and understanding to make informed
academic, social, personal, career, and
interpersonal decisions.
-
Quantitative Reasoning:
A person who is
competent in quantitative reasoning possesses
the skills and knowledge necessary to apply the
use of logic, numbers and mathematics to deal
effectively with common problems and issues. A
person who is quantitatively literate can use
numerical, geometric, and measurement data and
concepts, mathematical skills, and principles of
mathematical reasoning to draw logical
conclusions and to make well-reasoned decisions.
VHCC degree graduates will demonstrate the
ability to:
6.1 use logical and mathematical reasoning
within the context of various disciplines;
6.2 interpret and use mathematical formulas;
6.3 interpret mathematical models such as
graphs, tables and schematics and draw
inferences from them;
6.4 use graphical, symbolic, and numerical
methods to analyze, organize, and interpret
data;
6.5 estimate and consider answers to
mathematical problems in order to determine
reasonableness; and
6.6 represent mathematical information
numerically, symbolically, and visually, using
graphs and charts.
-
Scientific Reasoning:
A person who is
competent in scientific reasoning adheres to a
self-correcting system of inquiry (the
scientific method) and relies on empirical
evidence to describe, understand, predict, and
control natural phenomena.
VHCC degree graduates will demonstrate the
ability to:
7.1 generate an empirically evidenced and
logical argument;
7.2 distinguish a scientific argument from a
non-scientific argument;
7.3 reason by deduction, induction and analogy;
7.4 distinguish between causal and correlational
relationships; and
7.5 recognize methods of inquiry that lead to
scientific knowledge.
D. Continuing Education at VHCC (See also Workforce Development at VHCC)
Continuing Education programs at VHCC are offered both day and evening through
Workforce Training & Continuing Education. These programs include an array of credit and non-credit courses for individuals seeking: 1) retraining for new or changing occupations; 2) advancement or updating in existing occupations and professions; and 3) personal improvement or cultural enrichment. Available options include Career Studies Certificates, specialized credit instruction, non-credit training, and training and testing for professional groups for certification and licensure review.
E. Developmental Programs at VHCC
VHCC provides developmental (remedial) course work in reading, writing, mathematics, and other selected areas to assist individuals who lack the skills to perform college-level work in gaining the subject matter knowledge and study skills necessary to succeed in college programs. VHCC requires that all students take English and mathematics placement tests prior to enrolling in college-level English, math, or biology. Students may exempt placement testing by submitting official satisfactory ACT or SAT scores taken within the last three years. The purpose of placement testing is to ensure that students have mastered competency in reading, writing, and mathematical skills commensurate with their college goals. Placement in developmental courses is designed to assure that students are academically prepared for college-level work, regardless of prior grades, work experience, or academic history. Developmental course work is not counted toward degree requirements.
F. Specialized Regional and Community Services at VHCC
VHCC, located in a scenic mountainous region in a community rich in its historical/cultural heritage, makes its facilities and personnel available to provide a range of specialized services to help meet the cultural and educational needs of the region. Examples of VHCC’s specialized services include the following:
Arts Array: A performance and lecture series provided for students and staff and the community. Included in the series are weekly foreign and independent American films shown at the Abingdon Cinemall, musical and dramatic performances on campus and at the Barter Theatre, and lectures on topics of academic and regional interest.
Collaboration with other regional
organizations has greatly enhanced Arts
Array.
Manufacturing Technology Center:
The MTC, housed at Wytheville Community College,
is a regional partnership that services
as a catalyst for economic growth and industrial
competitiveness through training, applied
research, and community –industrial
service. A representative of the MTC is located
on the VHCC campus during specified office
hours.
Small Business Development Center: The SBDC assists small to medium-sized businesses by providing counseling and business-related opportunities to existing businesses and potential entrepreneurs. Counseling is available to develop a business plan, assess financial needs, develop production plans and controls, evaluate business health, find sources of funding, and prepare loan applications.
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center: Located on the campus of VHCC, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center was established by the Virginia General Assembly to strengthen the economy of southwest Virginia through education and training of the workforce. Over 65 under-graduate and graduate degree programs are available at the Center through eight partner Virginia colleges and universities.
G. Workforce Development at VHCC
The mission of VHCC’s
Workforce Training & Continuing Education is to provide assistance, workforce training,
and employee development that promote economic
growth of business and industry, and opportunities
for personal development, within the VHCC service
region. Workforce development programs include
both pre-employment training and training
for employed workers to assist local business
and industries in hiring and maintaining
a competitive workforce. Conveniently scheduled,
custom-designed classes are available on campus
or at the worksite 24 hours a day and can be
delivered in both credit and non-credit formats.
H. Cooperative Education at VHCC
Cooperative Education is an aspect of the academic program at VHCC which enables students to participate in part-time work experiences (paid or non-paid) related to their future career goals. Students should work with the Co-op Education Program Coordinator to determine the type and duration of co-op experience best suited to their needs.
Section 5
of this manual provides further details about the educational programs and academic policies at VHCC.
I. Student Development and Support Services at VHCC
Virginia Highlands Community College offers a full array of student development and support services to assist students with decisions regarding educational, career, and personal goals. Assistance is provided in such areas as college admission, financial aid, veterans’ educational benefits, student activities, career development, transfer counseling, and tutorial services. These services are provided by a number of offices under the direction of the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services,
including the Student Success Center.
