Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

08/10/2026

We're excited to welcome BrickUniverse to the Center this weekend for their regional LEGO® expo! Explore incredible LEGO builds, meet professional artists, browse vendors, and enjoy hands-on building zones. It’s sure to be a fun event for the whole family!

Buy tickets at brickuniverseusa.com.

08/07/2026

As a new school year begins across Southwest Virginia, we're excited to welcome students back to the Higher Ed Center.

This week, A. Linwood Holton Governor's School students are back on campus for orientation, and in the weeks ahead we'll welcome future healthcare professionals, university students, adult learners, and others pursuing new opportunities through the many programs offered at the Higher Ed Center.

Whether you're starting kindergarten, high school, college, or taking the next step in your career, here's to a year filled with learning, growth, and new possibilities.

Welcome back, . We're glad you're here. 💙

08/06/2026

Helping shape the future of education and workforce in Southwest Virginia takes strong leadership.

We're pleased to welcome Senator Todd Pillion as Chair of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Board of Trustees. Working alongside our Board and community partners, he'll help guide the Higher Ed Center as we continue connecting education, industry, and workforce to strengthen our region.

We also want to extend a sincere thank you to Senator Travis Hackworth for his years of leadership and service as Board Chair.

08/05/2026

Not your average anatomy lesson. 👀

Our Anatomage Tables let students explore the human body in incredible detail, making it possible to rotate, zoom, and examine anatomy in ways that simply aren't possible with a traditional textbook.

Technology like this helps prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals right here in Southwest Virginia. Learn more about how we bring education and training to life at swcenter.edu.

08/04/2026

Meet Allison Mays, Director of the Virginia Tech Southwest Center, one of the many organizations that call the Higher Ed Center home.

Allison works with businesses, organizations, and communities across Southwest Virginia to connect them with Virginia Tech's expertise through professional development, customized workforce training, leadership programs, and community partnerships. Her work helps strengthen the region by creating opportunities for people and employers to learn, grow, and succeed.

We're grateful to partner with Allison and the Virginia Tech Southwest Center as we continue connecting education, industry, and workforce throughout Southwest Virginia.

Learn more about the Virginia Tech Southwest Center at swvac.vt.edu.

08/03/2026

The best learning happens before it becomes real.

Our Healthcare Simulation Lab gives students a safe, realistic environment to build confidence, sharpen clinical skills, and prepare to care for the communities they'll serve.

Learn more about healthcare training opportunities at the SWVA Higher Ed Center: swcenter.edu/healthcare

07/31/2026

Looking to earn your GED, build your computer skills, or prepare for a new career? Mount Rogers Regional Adult Education is offering FREE classes this fall, with classes beginning August 10.

Whether you're taking the first step or building on what you already know, there's a class for you.

Learn more at mrraep.com.

07/30/2026

We're excited to see the impact of our new science laboratory making headlines!

Thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia, this new space will expand hands-on science learning opportunities for students across the region for years to come.

Thank you to Times-News Online for sharing the story!

📰 Read more:

A $300,000 grant will support a new science laboratory at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.

07/30/2026

Some people come here for a class. Others attend a conference, earn a certification, explore a career pathway, or discover something new.

That's what makes the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center unique. As the region's hub connecting education, industry, and workforce, there's always something happening under one roof.

Here's a look at what was happening around campus in just one day.

Which stop would you have made first? 👇

07/29/2026

What does a pharmacist really do?

Students recently found out during the Appalachian College of Pharmacy Summer Camp at the Higher Ed Center. Through hands-on activities, participants explored pharmacy compounding, practiced patient assessments, worked with a human simulator, and learned about careers in pharmacy from expert faculty.

Thank you to our partners at Appalachian College of Pharmacy for helping inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals!