A. With such funds as are appropriated or made available for this purpose, there is hereby created and constituted, in the area of Martinsville and Henry County, Virginia, an educational institution of the Commonwealth to be known as the New College Institute, hereinafter referred to as New College.
1. Seek to diversify the region’s economy by engaging the resources of other institutions of higher education, public and private bodies, and organizations of the region and state.
2. Serve as a catalyst for economic and community transformation by leveraging and brokering resources that support economic diversity.
3. Facilitate development of the technology and trained workforce necessary for new economic enterprises to flourish, using the resources available from collaborating educational institutions.
4. Expand educational opportunities in the region by providing access to degree-granting programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, through partnerships with private and public institutions of higher education, the public schools, and public and private sectors.
5. Encourage and coordinate the development and delivery of degree programs and other credit and noncredit courses with a focus on statewide and regional critical shortage areas as well as the needs of industry. This shall include needed adult education and workforce training.
6. Serve as a resource and referral center by maintaining and disseminating information on existing educational programs, research, and university outreach and technology resources.
History
2006, cc. 808, 842.
