New Opportunities at Northern Virginia Community College in Woodbridge

The building houses eight computer classrooms, a theater, a 60-seat lecture hall, two art studios, an art gallery, a computer graphics design studio, three science labs, a CISCO computer lab, 11 general purpose classrooms, a photography studio with a darkroom, faculty offices and group study spaces along with the 7,300-square-foot Gordon Cook Library.

 

“The new arts and sciences building is going to allow students to prepare for the emerging opportunities in the scientific and research fields, and this is an important job sector here in Prince William County,” said Supervisor John D. Jenkins. “It will also allow students pursuing careers in the arts the chance to learn, perform and entertain and mature and grow their talents.”

 

Supervisor Frank J. Principi called the building a “down payment” on the quality of life in Prince William County. “It’s so much more than the brick and mortar, the classrooms, the desks and the chairs. This will make such a difference in all the lives of the people of Prince William and the region.”

 

Supervisor Maureen S. Caddigan also congratulated those involved in bringing growth to the community college campus. “The opening of the Arts and Sciences Building is a welcome sight that will afford students additional learning and opportunities here at NOVA, so I want to say congratulations to everyone involved.”

 

In addition to attending the ribbon cutting ceremony, state elected officials and area business leaders joined local elected officials to break ground for a new Workforce Development Center, which will support the business community by meeting the training needs for area workers.

 

Prince William Chairman Corey A. Stewart described the people who brought the college to Prince William in 1972 as “visionaries” and went on to say that the college will be instrumental in providing a qualified workforce for the businesses he said would be coming to the County.

 

He said new development at the community college, along with road and infrastructure improvements across the county, would serve the community and the region well into the future. “This is an engine for economic growth and it is happening because of government investing in public infrastructure and working together with the private industry to bring in that private investment that is creating those jobs.”

 

Supervisor Caddigan said she also looks forward to the opening of the Workforce Development Center. “That is something that is very exciting for Prince William County. It will be the first of its kind in Northern Virginia and you know Prince William County always wants to be the first.”

 

Jenkins called the Development Center a “jewel in the crown” for Prince William County. “The development center will be instrumental in supporting our economic development efforts here in the county. We have to have this kind of education if we want to stay up in the top 10 counties in the nation.”

 

The Board of County Supervisors has budgeted $1 million in funding toward the Workforce Development Center.