West Virginia State Community and Technical  College

Philosophy

West Virginia State Community and Technical College at  adheres to the philosophy of the community college movement, which led to the formation of over 1200 comprehensive community colleges in the United States, as well as a large number of private junior colleges and proprietary schools that have some of the characteristics of community colleges. The philosophy of the Community and Technical College is based on the mission statement of West Virginia State College and its tradition as a Land-Grant College. Therefore, this philosophy drives the Community and Technical College to be a community-serving organization based on the belief that nearly all youths and adults can benefit from higher education and further training and that virtually all youths and adults are job-seekers and workers at some point in their lives. The Community and Technical College is an open-admissions unit that offers learning opportunities to a diverse population, some of whom might never have a chance to advance their knowledge and skills through education and training. The Community and Technical College strives to be democratic in purpose and operation and geographically, socially, and academically accessible to all people who can benefit from further education and training.

Not simply a duplication of the first two years of a four-year college, comprehensive community colleges carry out the following functions: teaching; training; academic advising; counseling and guidance; career exploration, planning, and placement; year-round credit and non-credit on- and off-campus courses and programs; continuing education; advisory services; community or public service; and a variety of other community outreach activities. Community colleges are comprehensive rather than single-focus educational components, integrating whenever possible academic - vocational - technical learning that leads to employment and that can be transferred in total or in part to baccalaureate degree programs.

Community colleges are of the community, not just in it -- that is, community colleges frequently receive local support of various kinds and are responsive to the needs of residents and community organizations in the region.

To present their educational programs, community colleges utilize all educational delivery systems, including traditional college courses, distance learning, extension, conferences, institutes, workshops, short courses, and advisory services.

Community colleges utilize community resources and cooperate with other community organizations that provide education and training, such as vocational-technical centers and high schools at the secondary level; United States Department of Labor registered apprenticeship programs; and training programs through business, industry, organized labor, and government.

Although community colleges are community-centered, they are not community-limited, having an obligation to lift students' sights beyond the community. Because community colleges are rooted in their locality, no two community colleges are exactly alike. They must be adaptable to their communities.

Over 1200 community colleges are linked nationally through the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and in West Virginia through the West Virginia Community College Association (WVCCA) and the West Virginia Community and Technical College Advisory Council, which reports to the Chancellors of the West Virginia State College and University Systems. The Community and Technical College at West Virginia State College is a major and integral unit of an institution of higher education that offers both associate and baccalaureate degrees, a full range of public service and continuing education programs, and a full range of student support services.

ACCREDITATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

• The Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
• American Society on Aging
• American Medical Association on Nuclear Medicine
• American Association of Community and Junior Colleges
• Association of International Educators
• Community College Humanities Association
• Council of Two-Year Colleges of Four-Year Institutions
• Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE)
• Joint Review Commission on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine National
• Council on Community Services and Continuing Education
• National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
• National Council for Occupational Education
• National University Continuing Education Association
• National Continuing Education Association
• North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools Technology
• West Virginia Adult Education Association
• West Virginia Aging Alliance
• West Virginia Community College Association
• West Virginia Joint Labor Union Management Apprenticeship Training Council
• West Virginia Tourism Association