The Virginia Community College System (VCCS), founded in 1966, is the Commonwealth of Virginia's largest higher education institution. It oversees a network of 23 community colleges, serving more than 252,000 students annually. The system is governed by a 15-member State Board appointed by the Governor, with its central office located in Richmond and a Shared Services Center in Daleville.
VCCS provides accessible education, workforce training, and transfer pathways across Virginia. Its offerings include FastForward, a short-term job training initiative; the G3 program, which supports students from families with incomes under $100,000; and Credits2Careers, which awards college credit for military experience and prior certifications. The Transfer Virginia portal facilitates seamless transitions for students moving to four-year institutions.
The system's mission centers on providing opportunity for skill development to strengthen lives and communities. This focus is reflected in outcomes: 81% of graduates remain in their local communities after completing their studies. VCCS operates within the higher education and workforce training sectors, serving a geographically diverse population throughout the Commonwealth.
