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Welcome to Blue Ridge Community and Technical College! Blue Ridge has indeed experienced a lot of the issues involved with the pandemic. We are still in a situation where a new variant can cause reactivation of all the things that were employed to combat Covid in 2020. Face masks, hand washing, distancing, and the like are all things that can be in our future as new variants of the virus emerge. It is an uncertain time. One thing that continues to remain certain is that a good education is one of the best things you can do to enhance your successes in life and work. Blue Ridge stands ready to help you engage in a program of study that can lead to a career, transfer to a baccalaureate institution, enhance your position where you work, or that brings personal satisfaction and enjoyment.
We continue to deliver high quality training and education in many formats: blended learning, virtual coursework, and live classes are modalities that we offer and will continue to offer for some time. The online experience is a real benefit for many students especially those who are time and place bound. In many instances students who were previously unable to travel to live classroom learning can now attend college at a very affordable rate. If there is at least one silver lining in the cloud of Covid it could be the rise of online learning and the access which it provides.
In my introduction I usually talk about the importance of a good education. As I think about it, it is even more important now than ever. With a good education you can earn a living, raise a family, help those less fortunate, and have a better chance of leading the life you dream. As President of the College, I have the opportunity to see lives improved and students grow and prosper. Being able to do so is a very fulfilling feeling and I am most fortunate to be the President of an institution that changes lives for the better.
Blue Ridge continues to be a very busy place with a lot going on. Our College continues to deliver in our areas of strength including workforce preparation, transfer programs, and early college for a number of students. For example:
- We offer many opportunities for students to complete work at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and transfer to a baccalaureate institution.
- We work very closely with regional business and industry to develop curricula that prepare our students for the world of work.
- High school students in Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan County Schools experience exciting programs that will prepare completers for a jump start on their college education.
- Our Culinary Academy continues to prepare healthy and affordable meals for purchase by our faculty, staff, and students. Good nutrition is a major part of maintaining a healthy, productive life and our Bruins are there to help with that goal.
- With the West Virginia Invests program students can now qualify for study in selected degree programs at a greatly reduced cost to the student.
At Blue Ridge, students are our reason for being. Our students are the factor in making our College a success. Without our students, we simply would have no reason for being. We have a fantastic group of faculty and staff who are here to help you succeed in achieving your goals, whether that is to prepare for a career or to transfer to a four-year degree program. The services and education we offer are many and varied and it can be overwhelming at times for the new or even experienced student. Rest assured our faculty and staff can help you in your quest to achieve your goals. We are here to help, and we are glad you have chosen Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.
Welcome to The Ridge!
Best Wishes,
Dr. Peter G. Checkovich
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