Emory & Henry signs full partnership with Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

ABINGDON, Va. (WCYB) — Emory & Henry College has joined the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center as a full partner.

The goal is to expand educational opportunities, but what exactly is a full partnership, and how does it work?

"It means they have full access to the building," said David Matlock, Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Agency Head. "Obviously they are already involved in some governance here, but they have full use, they are going to have an office here, they are going to maintain personnel here."

Emory and Henry says both parties will work together to use several resources, like state of the art technology, to serve students.

"Roughly two-thirds of our students are from Virginia, and this becomes yet another means for us to serve the people in the area," said John Wells, Emory and Henry College President.

The college had the largest incoming first year class in 2021, and the most residential students on campus in 2022, setting records. The growth has prompted new modes and locations for classes.

"This will allow us to add new functionality, new programs, and we are now moving into our third year of record enrollment at Emory and Henry," added Wells.

With several programs expected to be offered at the Higher Education Center.

"At this point, it will be expanding some of our existing programs," said Wells. "We are exploring business classes here, we are exploring counseling classes here and it would really open up access to a larger number of people to be able to take advantage of those."

Matlock says it's a convenient place for classes to be held, and partnerships with local intuitions are crucial.

"We are a great place doing great things, and it's because of great people, and any time we can partner with a local university or a college, especially one with a reputation like Emory and Henry to provide degree pathways and programs and courses to the citizens of Southwest Virginia, it's always exciting."