Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) celebrated move-in day on Friday, August 18, 2023, at the Eagle Valley student housing complex, marking a significant milestone in the college’s commitment to student support.
Located on Steelsburg Highway, directly across from the college’s main campus, the housing complex was built and is operated by the Real Estate Foundation, LLC under the Southwest Virginia Community College Educational Foundation. The housing complex is the first of its kind in Virginia, designated exclusively for community college students.
The development consists of two structures which provide housing accommodations for up to 90 students. The first building opened in January, with the second building opening today. The project is part of an ongoing effort to make students feel “welcomed, appreciated, respected, and supported in their educational journey,” according to Dr. Tommy Wright, President of SWCC.
Housing near the campus in rural southwest Virginia tackles a major issue for students who must drive long distances to attend classes.
“The reduction in travel time affords students more opportunities to concentrate on their studies and engage in extracurricular activities, while the decrease in transportation costs can alleviate financial pressures,” said Wright.
“This truly is a groundbreaking event for our college,” said Susan Lowe, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Educational Foundation for SWCC. “This project would not have been possible without the support of our foundation board, the communities we serve, and our students who are the catalyst for all that we do.”
Each apartment in the complex features four double-occupancy rooms, each with an attached bathroom. Shared amenities include a living room, kitchen, laundry, and covered deck. Rent is priced at $600/month per student and includes kitchen appliances, a washer and dryer, internet, electricity, water, sewer, and trash pickup services.
One demographic of students that will be served by the new housing complex are those who have aged out of the foster care system. Great Expectations is a program offered at community colleges across Virginia, created to benefit students who are now or have been affiliated with foster care. Counselors work directly with students to help with applying to college, counseling, life skills training, and financial assistance that may include funding for housing as needed.
For more about Eagle Valley and the housing opportunities offered by the Real Estate Foundation, LLC, contact Victor Scott at victor.scott@sw.edu or visit eaglevalleyliving.com.