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Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) recently celebrated the achievements of 31 GED graduates during a special commencement ceremony recognizing perseverance, dedication, and new beginnings. Ten graduates attended the ceremony in person, joined by proud family members, friends, faculty, and community supporters.
Pictured are (sitting left to right): Justus Vaughan (Lawrenceville) and Joseph Owen (Drakes Branch).
Standing left to right: Patricia Strickland (Brodnax), Atress Farr (Chase City), Faizaan Benu (Appomattox), Brody Jaquays (Lawrenceville), Lydia MClung (Drakes Branch), Chaz Hancock, (South Boston), Darin Scott (South Boston), and Zamir Abdullah (Meherrin).
For more information about SVCC’s Adult Education and GED programs, visit https://southside.edu/adult-education-grants or email GEDInfo@southside.edu
| | SVCC Welcomes Microsoft Military Cohort 25-3 | | SVCC hosted 36 transitioning service members from across the country which included the largest Critical Environment student group to date. Over the past year since the program’s inception, the initiative has achieved an 85% job placement rate within Microsoft, a testament to the program’s effectiveness and the dedication of its participants. For the full story on Microsoft Datacenter Cohort 25-3, click here. | |
Southside Electric Cooperative and
SVCC Partner to Offer "A Day in the Life
of a Power Line Worker"
| | 53 students from Fuqua, Prince Edward, Central, Halifax, Cumberland, and the homeschool co-op were treated to "A Day in The Life". The day's events highlighted the Power Line working profession as well as the Diesel Technician, Truck Driving and Fiber training opportunities offered at the Occupational-Technical Center in Blackstone. Students attended sessions led by Southside Electric Team Members and the SVCC Occupation-Technical Instructors. | | | | |
The Rotary Club of Farmville generously donated to the SVCC Foundation establishing a scholarship to support Prince Edward County students facing financial hardships, helping ensure they can stay enrolled and continue pursuing their goals.
Thank you for investing in SVCC students and providing critical support.
Your gift—no matter the size—makes a real difference.
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Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) proudly celebrates the success of Natalie Johnson of Nottoway County, a recent nursing graduate whose journey demonstrates the power of perseverance, opportunity, and the life-changing impact of education.
From earning her GED through SVCC to beginning her career as a Registered Nurse, this graduate has pursued her dream of caring for others every step of the way.
“I’ve dreamed of being a nurse for as long as I can remember,” Natalie shared. Her healthcare journey began in 2018 at Hickory Hill Retirement Community, where she advanced through roles as a Personal Care Aide, Registered Medication Aide, Shift Leader, and Healthcare Oversight Nurse Assistant. “I realized through my journey there that caring for others was truly what I was put on this earth to do and decided to finally follow my dreams and applied to SVCC’s nursing program.”
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Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) is proud to spotlight the inspiring journey of Natalie Aldridge, a Buckingham County High School and Governor’s School of Southside Virginia (GSSV) graduate whose educational path has led her from dual enrollment at SVCC to marine biology research, scientific diving, and coral restoration in Key Largo, Florida.
Natalie began her college career through Buckingham’s dual enrollment program through a partnership with SVCC. “I was blessed with the opportunity to attend SVCC through the Governor’s School of Southside Virginia (GSSV) program,” she said. “That opportunity shaped everything that came next.”
“My first year was online, but that didn’t limit my experience at all,” she said. “I was always encouraged to chase my field of study. I took every opportunity that came my way and socially I loved connecting with students from different schools.”
| | Starting in Farmville, with stops in Emporia, South Hill, Blackstone and South Boston, SVCC President, Dr. Quentin R. Johnson along with college administrators completed a five-stop tour across our service area, meeting with community members and partners. We appreciate everyone who took time to hear updates on the college and for the meaningful input that was provided. | | AARP Chapter #4014 Visits SVCC | | AARP Chapter #4014 members were inspired by remarks from SVCC President, Dr. Quentin R. Johnson and Ms. Darlene Ferguson, SGA Treasurer, who is currently pursuing another associate degree at SVCC. Ms. Ferguson shared how returning to college transformed her life, opening doors to new skills and opportunities. Members also heard from Mrs. Louise Ogburn about travel experiences through SVCC and from Mrs. Vondrenna Smithers about club and engagement opportunities for AARP members. The visit concluded with a tour of the Christanna Campus. | | SVCC Deemed 2025 Great College to Work For | | | | Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) has been recognized as one of the nation’s best colleges to work for, earning a place among an elite group of institutions honored through the prestigious Great Colleges to Work For® program. This recognition highlights SVCC’s commitment to fostering an outstanding workplace culture that values and supports its employees. | | | Did You Know? You Can Give to Charity Through Your IRA | | |
If you’re age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to a qualifying charity—even if you haven’t yet reached the age for required minimum distributions (RMDs).
A QCD can:
- Count toward your annual RMD
- Be excluded from your taxable income
- Provide a meaningful way to support causes you care about
Important: To qualify, your funds must be transferred directly from your IRA to the charity.
As always, consult your financial advisor to determine if this option is right for you.
If you are interested in supporting SVCC students, please click on the link below or contact Jamie Jones, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement by phone 434-949-1068 or by email jamie.jones@southside.edu.
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