The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

March 16, 2013

Valley College expanding, moving

By Wendy Holdren Register-Herald Reporter

After changing ownership in August 2011, Valley College has doubled its enrollment and is now moving to a new location to allow for further growth.

Beth Gardner, executive director of the Beckley, Princeton and online campuses for Valley, said with the growth under new owners Tony Palmieri and David Knobel, the school invested in new technology, updated its website, and revised the curriculum.

“So now, the next phase is we’re moving to a new facility.”

Currently located at 713 South Oakwood Avenue with 7,000 square feet of space, Gardner said their new location will be 120 New River Town Center beside Ollie’s with 17,000 square feet.

“There will be a lot of opportunities here for students and staff.”

At this new centralized location, Gardner said there will be more space for student services and more space to offer additional programs.

“We have recently completed a curriculum survey in the local area. We’re looking at the results to decide on two new programs to add in late 2013. We’re currently looking at feedback from our advisory board and the surveys to determine the best programs to offer.

She said currently they offer medical clinical assistant programs, which have a 100 percent placement rate.

“That means that every single graduate in 2012 was placed in a training related job.”

Valley College also offers a business administration online associate’s degree program, which has an 80 percent placement rate.

“We are providing lots of qualified employees for area businesses.”

Gardner said although they are growing rapidly, they want to ensure that growth is healthy and stable.

She anticipates adding two new programs by late 2013 and adding additional campuses in the future.

“As for the economic impact, we will be adding new jobs this year and many more over the coming years.”

The $900,000 construction project at the New River Town Center has been underway for the past four weeks and is expected to wrap up the first week of May.

Gardner said they will host a grand opening in May for the community.

“We’re moving very quickly and we’re very excited.”

For more information, visit www.valley.edu.

 

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