Historically, the college-going rate in southern Virginia has been low. Chief among the factors contributing to the low rate of college attendance are financial and geographic barriers to pursuing post-secondary education in the region. The closest public four-year universities are more than two hours driving distance for most area residents. Responding to the loss of thousands of manufacturing jobs in the 1990s, local civic and political leaders identified the need for improved access to higher education and began to advocate for the establishment of a college in southern Virginia.
2004
Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine, supported by a bipartisan coalition of state and local officials, spearheaded legislation to establish a college in southern Virginia. To sustain the legislative momentum, the Harvest Foundation of the Piedmont pledged $50 million towards the establishment of a state-supported, baccalaureate-level college in Martinsville-Henry County.
2005
Governor Mark Warner and the General Assembly committed more than $1 million to develop a comprehensive assessment of regional student and employer needs. Based on the findings of the needs assessment, state and local officials proposed the creation of New College Institute, a publicly-funded institution of higher education located in Martinsville-Henry County which would provide bachelor’s degree completion and master’s degrees.
2006
The General Assembly passed and Governor Tim Kaine signed a bill establishing New College Institute funded by an initial appropriation of $2.5 million for the 2006-08 biennium and a matching grant from the Harvest Foundation. That same year, New College enrolled more than 100 students in a pilot program of six bachelor’s degree completion and master’s degree programs in high demand fields. Academic offerings are augmented by an aggressive outreach program of community workshops, individual counseling, non-credit courses, and internship opportunities.
2007 - 08
New College Institute offered eleven degree programs in 2007-08. Over 250 students (unduplicated headcount) were enrolled during the year. In addition, New College sponsored an innovative partnership with the Virginia Museum of Natural History to offer teacher endorsement in earth science. Courses were taught at NCI by museum faculty and labs were held at the museum. An additional endorsement in English as a Second Language was delivered via a partnership between Radford University and the University of Virginia. The first and third floors of the classroom building on Franklin Street were renovated to house the additional programs. NCI's Outreach Educators made at least 5000 contacts, and the internship and summer camp programs were offered, as well as a Reading program in the schools and a Lecture series. New College Foundation (a separate 501(c)3 organization) began receiving private gifts and grants in support of NCI and organized a campaign to establish an endowment.
2008 - 09
Fourteen degree programs (ten undergraduate and four graduate) were offered, and over 300 students (unduplicated headcount) were enrolled. Because of a space shortage in the classroom building, NCI expanded to include the fourth floor of the Jefferson Plaza building and announced that it will occupy two additional floors in that building in 2009-10. NCI also announced that the regional Governor's School will be housed in the Jefferson Plaza space in 2009-10. The classroom building on Franklin Street was renamed the King Building in honor of Dr. Mervyn King and his wife Virginia.
2009 - 10
Seventeen academic degree programs and four teacher education or certificate programs are offered. Enrollment exceeds 400 students. As of spring 2010, a total of 135 students will have graduated with their bachelor's or master's degree through NCI. With the completion of renovations at the Jefferson Plaza, NCI will be occupying approximately 30,000 square feet of space (instructional, office, administrative) in uptown Martinsville. Over 3,000 people will again attend classes, meetings, or other activities in NCI facilities.