Historically, the college-going rate in southern Virginia has been low. Chief among the factors contributing to the low rate of college attendance are financial and geographic barriers to pursuing post-secondary education in the region. The closest public four-year universities are more than two hours driving distance for most area residents. Responding to the loss of thousands of manufacturing jobs in the 1990s, local civic and political leaders identified the need for improved access to higher education and began to advocate for the establishment of a college in southern Virginia.

New College Institute was established July 1, 2006, after the Virginia General Assembly passed and Governor Tim Kaine signed a bill establishing New College Institute funded by an initial appropriation of $2.5 million for the 2006-08 biennium and a matching grant from The Harvest Foundation.  The purpose of NCI is to provide access to higher education beyond the associate’s degree level to Southern Virginia.

The same year it was established, New College enrolled more than 100 students in a pilot program of six bachelor’s degree completion and master’s degree programs in high demand fields. Academic offerings are augmented by an aggressive outreach program of community workshops, individual counseling, non-credit courses, and internship opportunities.

Who We Are: 
 
NCI is committed to making higher education beyond the associate’s degree level accessible and convenient to students of all ages in Southern Virginia.  NCI partners with colleges and universities to provide programs that meet the needs of students and employers regionally and statewide, and those that fill niches which draw upon special interests. Students may complete bachelor’s and master’s degrees while also fulfilling their employment and family obligations. 

A critical component of the New College Institute concept since its inception has been the pledge to actively reach out into the community in order to convey the message that postsecondary education is attainable.  This outreach mission, to work within the community to begin to change the culture to one that values higher education, is essential in order to fulfill the academic mission.  Supported by research and validated by experience, the NCI board and administrators made it a priority to hire appropriate staff early in NCI’s inception. Staff members are embedded in the community, developing vibrant partnerships by working in churches, schools, and businesses to make sure that people understand the importance of higher education. NCI wants every student of all ages in Martinsville and Henry County to realize their potential and know that college is possible.

Led by Executive Director Dr. Barry Dorsey since January 2006, NCI employs 8 full-time and 4 part-time staff members.  NCI also coordinates 6 faculty-in-residence who direct the academic degree programs and work with area prospective students as they prepare to continue their education.

What We Do:

NCI offers the third and fourth years of bachelor’s degree programs through partner institutions after students complete the first two years at a community college or another accredited college or university.  NCI also offers several master’s degree programs and a teacher endorsement program.  The list of offerings will continue to grow each year with sufficient funding and interest from the community.

2007-2008 Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Criminal Justice: Ferrum College
Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness: Virginia Commonwealth University
Liberal Studies with Elementary Education Licensure: Longwood University
Business Administration: Averett University
Industrial Technology: Old Dominion University
Motorsports Technology: Old Dominion University
R.N. to B.S. in Nursing: Radford University
Social Work: Norfolk State University

2007-2008 Master’s Degree Programs

Business Administration: Averett University
Education (Curriculum and Instruction): Averett University
Education (Administration and Supervision): University of Virginia
Earth Science *Teacher Endorsement Program*: Radford University and Virginia Museum of Natural History

The Community Outreach Division offers a wealth of services and programs for all ages. 

• Kindergarten Reading for Life: NCI staff along with volunteer retired teachers read to each kindergarten class in Martinsville and Henry County then presented a book to each student. 
• 5th Grade College Awareness: A college awareness presentation is made to every 5th grade student and follow-up group and one-on-one discussions occur throughout the school year. 
• 7th Grade College Promise Club: Approximately ten students from each middle school are selected, targeting students who would be first in their family to attend college.  Outreach Educators meet with the clubs once per week for about six weeks, utilizing a College Board curriculum.  At the conclusion of the program, students and parents are invited on a field trip to Ferrum College.
• MHC After 3 Initiative: Outreach educators present regular after-school programs to participants in order to raise awareness of occupations and college education. 
• 10th Grade Roadmap to College: With the goal of reaching every 10th grader, Outreach Educators present a “Roadmap to College” via roundtable discussions to 10th grade English classes in the high schools. 
• Patrick Henry Community College Students:Outreach Educators work closely with the professional staff and students, and make presentations to both staff and students, both in group and one-on-one settings.
• Summer Internships: Through funding from the Virginia Tobacco Commission, NCI sponsored paid summer internships to 21 current college students in 2007 and to 25 students in 2008.  The students are from Martinsville, Henry County, or Patrick County and must be currently accepted to and/or enrolled in an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree program at an accredited college or university and must have completed at least one year of coursework prior to beginning the internship.
• College Table Talk: NCI Outreach Educators host occasional lunches with various small groups from area schools, including guidance staff, principals, lead teachers, department heads, etc., and generate discussions on current NCI activities.  
• Non-credit Lecture Series: In order to increase traffic in the classroom building, offer learning opportunities beyond our academic programs, and specifically try to offer topics of interest to “seasoned” members of the community, NCI has offered several lectures on various topics.   
• Walk for Education: Sponsored by the New College Institute, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and MHC 4-H Clubs, about 75 people took part walking throughout targeted communities in Martinsville, spreading the word on educational opportunities and how to take advantage of them.  Participants visited about 600 households and gave out educational packets.
• Family University: Targeting the communities of faith and parents/guardians/families without college degrees, Family University is a multi-topic seminar series.  Topics address issues that relate to valuing a college education, how to apply to college, transitions to college, financial aid, etc.   
• Summer Camps:
• At Camp Idea, NCI partners with local business men and women for a week to promote an entrepreneurial spirit to middle school students.  As the culmination of the experience, students are divided into groups and tasked with developing a business, business plan, and advertisements.  On the final day of camp the students present their finished projects to an audience that includes NCI staff, parents, and local business leaders.
• Math in Everyday Life is a collaborative venture with Girl Scouts and other local organizations for elementary school girls.  The purpose is to demonstrate to girls how math is used every day by making it fun and interesting and also to help them become more physically active.
• Southside Summer Adventure focuses on Super Spy Secrets (forensic science) and Wild & Wonderful (zoology) topics.  The camp is held at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

Our Hopes for the Future:

New College Institute will eventually provide students a wide array of educational options along with professional and personal skills that will enable them to be life-long learners.  NCI will work in concert with the efforts of nearby or regional institutions of higher learning to serve the diverse higher education needs of the region and the Commonwealth and will serve as a partner in efforts to revitalize Martinsville, Henry County, and beyond. 

The goal is to assist the region’s workforce as it shifts from a skills-based economy (based primarily on manufacturing and agriculture) to a knowledge-based economy that will be based on the provision of services to individuals and businesses.  Working with business and industry as well as other educational entities, New College Institute will assist in rebuilding Southern Virginia’s economy into one that is once again vibrant and thriving.