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About Blue Ridge

View Accreditation, History, Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals
View Strategic Plan

Blue Ridge Community College is a two-year, comprehensive post-secondary institution located in the mountains of western North Carolina. It serves Henderson and Transylvania counties.

Blue Ridge Community College

Offers more than 200 degrees, diplomas, and certificates in 30 areas of study.
Offers a wide range of college transfer courses.
Has articulation programs with four-year colleges and universities.
Provides one of the largest Continuing Education programs in the state.

Many students take advantage of scholarships offered through the College’s Educational Foundation or receive assistance from grants and loans.

BRCC maintains an extensive lineup of technical programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in nursing, automotive technology, law enforcement, emergency response, engineering technology, machining technology, and many others.

Chartered in 1969, the College is one of 58 public institutions within the North Carolina Community College System. It operates under the leadership of a president and a 15-member board of trustees. The mission of the College is to empower individuals with knowledge and skills to enrich our communities and build a competitive workforce.

Blue Ridge places a high value on cultural, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity.

Blue Ridge Community College is proud to be part of the Achieving the Dream network. Achieving the Dream is a national network of community colleges working to achieve sustainable institutional transformation through sharing knowledge, innovative solutions and effective practices and policies leading to improved outcomes for all students.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Accredited Institution seal logo

Blue Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the Associate in Arts Degree (A.A.), the Associate in Science Degree (A.S.), the Associate in Engineering Degree (A.E.), the Associate in Fine Arts Degree (A.F.A.), the Associate in General Education (A.G.E.), and the Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.Sc.). Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call (404) 679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Blue Ridge Community College.

Blue Ridge Community College is an accredited member of the North Carolina Community College System and all programs offered by the College have been approved by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges.

The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by the North Carolina State Board of Nursing.

The Surgical Technology Program is approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs.

The Early Childhood Program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The Emergency Medical Science Program is credentialed as a North Carolina Advanced EMS Education Institution by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services.

The Emergency Medical Technician—Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Blue Ridge Community College is one of 58 institutions that operate under the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges.

On July 21, 1969, Henderson County Technical Institute, a public two-year institution, was granted its charter by the North Carolina State Board of Education. The first full-time curriculum classes were offered on September 14, 1970. Nine years later, the designation of “Institute” was changed to “College.” The Board of Trustees approved the current name, Blue Ridge Community College, on September 14, 1987.

Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals

Our Mission

Blue Ridge Community College empowers individuals with knowledge and skills to
enrich our communities and build a competitive workforce.

Our Vision

Transforming lives through the power of learning.

Our Values

Student Success

We are committed to the success of our students by adhering to the highest levels of academic and professional standards.

Integrity

We demonstrate the ideals of honesty, fairness and ethical behavior in all situations and circumstances.

Excellence

We are dedicated to continuous improvement and providing the highest quality teaching, training, and service to our community.

Responsibility

We accept responsibility for our actions and decisions and are accountable to our students, communities and the generations who come after us.

Adaptability

We are responsive and innovative when meeting the changing needs of our communities.

Our Goals

Strategic Goal 1

Create a long-term vision for campus facilities that supports our mission, advances our vision, and responds to community needs.

Strategic Goal 2

Grow our community partnerships and outreach in order to broaden our impact on the communities we serve.

Strategic Goal 3

In support of myFutureNC, increase the number of post-secondary credentials awarded in furtherance of a strong workforce pipeline.

Strategic Goal 4

Develop a workplace environment that reflects our mission, vision, and values and cultivates highly engaged employees.

Strategic Goal 5

Improve services and processes to increase operational efficiencies and conserve resources.

Annual Report

The Annual Report recaps the College’s accomplishments. It spotlights our students, award recipients, and donors. In addition, the report offers ways to connect to the College and its Educational Foundation.

In an effort to be good stewards of the environment, as well as our resources, we print a limited number of copies of the Annual Report.

If you would like to request a copy of the current edition, contact the Educational Foundation at brccef@blueridge.edu or (828) 694-1710 and we will be happy to send you one.

2020-2021 Annual Report

2019-2020 Annual Report

2018-2019 Annual Report