On May 13, 2023, I had the privilege of shaking hands with 445 graduates as they walked across the stage during Southside Virginia Community College's 53rd commencement ceremony. The event, attended by nearly 4,000 guests, was held at SVCC's John H. Daniel Campus in Keysville.

Mrs. Darleen Ferguson, a 75-year-old graduate, offered encouragement to her classmates as our college's first student commencement speaker. "Graduating from SVCC means so much to me," she said. "I was able to do something I always wanted to, and my experience at the college ended up being so much better than I had imagined." Mrs. Ferguson, who originally enrolled in 1992, had much to say on the topic of perseverance. Even now, however, her education journey is not over. She plans to return in the fall because there is much more she wants to learn. She emphasized that it's never too late to further your education.

Mr. Troy Selberg, a NASCAR professional, former elected official, executive leadership coach, and member of the SVCC Foundation Board, also addressed the graduates. He offered wisdom drawn from his years of experience in management positions and in the fast-paced world of motorsports. He discussed the stories of people with local roots who had achieved success in diverse fields. These included a professional bass fisherman, the founder of a college, a four-star general, and Mr. Rick Hendrick, a man who grew up in Palmer Springs, established a championship-winning NASCAR team, and created one of the largest car dealership networks in the country. Mr. Selberg reminded our graduates that walking across the stage was just the beginning of their own successes in life.

Indeed, stories of success surrounded us. Our 2023 graduating class included 789 individual students who received a combined 1,014 academic degrees and certificates. In addition, 420 workforce students earned a combined 754 industry-recognized credentials.

SVCC offers two types of two-year degrees. Our Associate of Arts and Sciences (AA&S) degree is designed to meet transfer requirements so that graduates can continue in upper-level courses at institutions that offer four-year baccalaureate degrees. Our Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree provides entry into the workforce. SVCC's most popular AA&S areas are General Studies, Science, and General Studies with a Health Science Specialization. Top areas of study for AAS programs include Nursing, Human Services, and Business Management.

In addition, a broad spectrum of certificate programs is available to students with other needs and less time. The Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS), for example, can be completed in just one year. Its graduates earn transferable credit for courses that are usually taken during the first year of a four-year degree program. Another pathway culminates with Career Studies Certificates. These document preparedness to enter fields such as Nurse Aide, Welding, and Industrial Electrical Technology.

SVCC also offers shorter-term workforce training. Our most popular programs are Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Power Line Worker, and Phlebotomy.

Younique Morgan, one of our recent graduates, explained her next steps. "In the near future, I plan to be a computer technician," she said. "Graduating from SVCC means I'm starting a legacy of education for my baby girl."

If you're considering starting a legacy of education for your family, SVCC offers a wide range of possibilities. Visit southside.edu to learn more about pathways that can launch your future success.

Dr. Quentin R. Johnson is president of Southside Virginia Community College, an institution of higher learning that provides a wide variety of education opportunities to a diverse student population within a service area that spans ten counties and the City of Emporia. He can be reached via email at quentin.johnson@southside.edu.