Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is helping prepare the region's future workforce through career training, partnerships with local schools and expanded healthcare education programs. Chamber members heard about these efforts during the Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce's Oct. 8 Business Breakfast at Belle Haven Country Club.
The program featured Dr. Annette Haggray, Provost of Northern Virginia Community College's Alexandria Campus, and Dr. Shelly Powers, Provost of the Medical Education Campus in Springfield. Both shared updates on how NOVA is responding to educational and workforce needs across Northern Virginia.
NOVA currently serves nearly 79,000 students across its campuses and programs, including more than 4,200 workforce students. The college also serves approximately one-third of the total enrollment in Virginia's community college system. Its approach to workforce development includes analyzing labor market and demographic data to help determine program offerings, align curricula with employer needs and guide students toward career opportunities.
At the Alexandria Campus, partnerships with local schools are helping students begin planning for college and careers earlier. Programs highlighted during the presentation included the Ninth Grade to NOVA initiative, dual enrollment opportunities that allow high school students to earn college credits. There is also a partnership with the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association supporting automotive career education.
Healthcare education was another major focus of the breakfast. NOVA's Medical Education Campus, which opened in Springfield in 2003, offers training in nursing, dental hygiene, emergency medical services, radiography, respiratory therapy, physical therapy assistance and other healthcare fields. A surgical technology program is scheduled to begin in spring 2027.
Dr. Powers highlighted the campus's educational outcomes, including a 98.6% nursing program examination pass rate and health sciences board examination pass rates ranging from 82% to 100%. Six health sciences programs reported 100% pass rates.
Students also receive hands-on training in specialized nursing, radiography, dental and simulation laboratories.
The Medical Education Campus is continuing to expand. The presentation highlighted an 8% increase in fall enrollment, a nursing wing addition and plans for a 37,000-square-foot virtual hospital as part of a Medical Center of Excellence. These investments reflect the need for additional healthcare training capacity as the region's population and medical workforce demands continue to evolve.
NOVA's community involvement extends beyond its campuses. Programs highlighted included the Governor's Health Sciences Academy at Alexandria City High School, summer bridge and dual enrollment opportunities, dental services for students at Title I elementary schools in Fairfax County, and the CampMed program with VHC Health.
For Chamber members, the presentation offered a closer look at the educational programs and partnerships helping students move from classrooms into careers. It also highlighted the importance of cooperation among schools, colleges, employers and community organizations in preparing Northern Virginia's future workforce.
The Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber thanks Dr. Haggray and Dr. Powers for sharing these updates and discussing NOVA's role in supporting students, employers and the broader community.