General Information

Mission Statement

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is dedicated to providing a diverse student population with collaborative programs and support services to improve the quality of life and promote economic development in its service area. Its quality academic programs are learner centered and focus on career entry, university transfer, developmental education, and workforce development.

Vision Statement

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College curriculum is integrated directly with the economic and workforce needs of the region. Programs of study are designed to meet the needs expressed by community members, advisory boards, employers, and workforce as reflected in on-going needs analysis of the region. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College faculty and staff continuously analyze and modify the curricula and programs to meet the educational needs of an increasingly complex and technological society. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College intends to meet the educational challenges of the 21st century and to provide quality educational experiences for the population of the Eastern Panhandle.

Policy of Nondiscrimination

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College provides opportunity to all prospective and current members of the student body, faculty, and staff on the basis of individual qualifications and merit without regard to race, sex, sexual preference, religion, age, national origin, or disability. The College neither affiliates knowingly with nor grants recognition to any individual, group, or organization having policies that discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual preference, national origin, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, financial status, veteran status, or disability, as defined by applicable laws and regulations.

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is required by Section 904, Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972, not to deny admission on the ground of blindness or severely impaired vision; by 45 CFR 84, Subpart E, Section 84.42, and by Section 504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, nor to deny admission on basis of handicap; by 45 CFR 90, 91 not to discriminate on basis of age; and by 45 CFR 86, Subpart C, Section 86.21, not to deny admission on basis of sex. By Title Vl of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is an equal opportunity-affirmative action employer in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, West Virginia Human Rights Act, Title IX (Education Amendments of 1972), Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, American with Disabilities Act, and other applicable laws and regulations.

Academic Year

The academic year consists of two 15-week semesters offered in the fall and spring of each year. Additionally, a 10-week summer session is offered. (Dates are subject to change, please check the website for updated information).

Accreditation

In March 2005, CTC Shepherd was initially accredited for five years as an independent institution by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA). On July 1, 2006, CTC Shepherd officially became Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. Additionally, individual programs are accredited by their own respective organizations/accrediting bodies.

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College began an extensive self-study process in 2006 to prepare for the HLC comprehensive evaluation in October 2009. A significant part of the Self-Study effort is the preparation of a Self-Study Report which demonstrates that Blue Ridge CTC should be accredited. Blue Ridge CTC received ten year accreditation in Spring 2010.

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation and one of two Commission members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), which was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditor in the United States. The Higher Learning Commission accredits, and thereby grants membership in the Commission and in the North Central Association, to degree-granting educational institutions in the North Central region: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. NCA contact information is as follows: (www.ncahlc.org, phone (312) 263- 0456, or 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504).

History of Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

Shepherd began offering 2-year programs in disciplines such as business in the 1960s. Officially, Shepherd Community College began in 1974 when the nursing department became the first official two-year program to be adopted by Shepherd. In 1989, the West Virginia State Board of Directors requested Shepherd to re-confirm its point of interest in operating a Community College. Dr. Pete Checkovich was chosen to become Dean of the Community and Technical College, he later was named Provost, and in 2004 became President of Community and Technical College of Shepherd (CTC Shepherd). CTC Shepherd was located on the basement floor of Gardiner Hall in Shepherdstown until August 2001. Meanwhile, the Martinsburg City Council contacted college officials about the possibility of bringing the Community and Technical College to Martinsburg. The City Council offered a grant for the college if it would relocate, and offered to help the college find a suitable location in Martinsburg. The site selected was the former Blue Ridge Outlets. Their offer along with the location of the building was presented to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission in the fall of 2000 and the move to Martinsburg was approved. In June of 2001, renovation of the Berkeley Building of the former Blue Ridge Outlet Complex began. Classes began at the Community and Technical College on August 20, 2001. In early 2002, the Berkeley County Commissioners finalized the purchase of the Blue Ridge Outlets complex; negotiations resulted in the May 2003 relocation of the CTC Shepherd to the newly renovated Dunn Building. In March 2005, CTC Shepherd was accredited as an independent institution by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA). On July 1, 2006, CTC Shepherd officially became Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.

The Dunn Building housed Blue Ridge Community and Technical College from 2003 – 2012 and accommodated the rapidly growing population. As enrollment continued to climb, College officials quickly recognized the need for a new headquarters building. In Fall of 2009, the College purchased 46 acres on Route 45 in Martinsburg, which now houses the new main campus. Construction began Fall of 2010 and the beautiful new campus was completed during the Spring of 2012.  The 55,000 square foot building offers 18 classrooms, additional parking, and an on campus servery to the student body. The gorgeous new building is a welcomed addition to the scenery and backdrop within Berkeley County West Virginia and will easily serve the thousands of students to come.

Workforce Development

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is a resource for employers in Berkeley, Morgan, and Jefferson Counties. Its academic educational programs, together with strong business and industry training programs have created a learning organization whose students and graduates are among the best-prepared citizens and workers in the state.

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College provides educational solutions to the emerging and incumbent workforce that includes customized training design and delivery, support industry certification, and improve the workplace performance of our customers. For additional information, please visit our website (www.blueridgectc.edu) or contact Ann Shipway at (304) 260-4380.

Campus Locations

Headquarters

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Headquarters is located at 13650 Apple Harvest Drive, Martinsburg, West Virginia 25403, and the phone number is (304) 260-4380. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College administrative and faculty offices are at this location.

Technology Center

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College opened its Technology Center in the Berkeley Business Park, located at 5550 Winchester Avenue, Martinsburg, WV 25405. The Tech Center held its ribbon cutting ceremony on June 18, 2008. Governor Joe Manchin, III gave the keynote address. This building was opened with a partnership of Allegheny Energy. The facility has an indoor and outdoor pole park, classrooms, and many office spaces. This site is approved by The Higher Learning Commission and the Department of Education. Please contact the College for more information.

The Pines Opportunity Center

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College began using the Morgan County Center during the Fall of 2012. The Center is located in the Pines Opportunity Center 109 War Memorial Drive, Berkeley Spring’s former Hospital. Currently there are 5 standard classrooms along with several smaller rooms that can easily accommodate small groups and meetings. A Phlebotomy lab can also be found within the Center, allowing career specific training to occur on site. Please contact the College for more information.