Victoria’s Colleges & Universities Stay Ahead of the Curve
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Higher education is a high priority in south Texas: In addition to University of Houston-Victoria and Victoria College, there are more than 60 colleges and universities within a 125-mile radius of Victoria. Not only does this create a thriving college vibe, it also creates an identity of learning with a keen focus on the future.
Though UHV and Victoria College are adjacent to one another, and share some facilities, including a library, they are both doing different but equally important work in the area.
In August 2009, Governor Rick Perry signed a bill that authorized UHV to expand from an upper level institution—accepting juniors, seniors and graduate students only – to include freshmen and sophomores.
UHV was originally created as an upper division institution as part of a “fad or trend in the 70s,” says Tim Hudson, president of the university. “The idea was that community college students would have the opportunity to transfer. Across the U.S., the model was abandoned in the late 80s, to the extent that there were only four left; of these four, two were in Texas and we were one.”
Through a tremendous amount of community support, the legislation was changed and new doors have opened.
“Becoming a four-year institution allows us to recruit students from far and wide,” says Hudson says. “We’re very attractive in that Victoria offers a high quality of life, reasonable cost of living and is only two hours away from major metropolitan areas. A lot of students want to be far enough from home to create and independent life, but not too far in case they need to return for an event … or to get their clothes washed.”
Enrollment was up 15 percent in 2009 over the previous year and, according to Hudson, the university has come close to doubling their student population over the last five years.
“Downward expansion resets the horizon for what we can be for our students and community.” Hudson says. “It allows us to create a destination university in Victoria.”
Exciting changes also abound right next door at Victoria College, an open access institution serving Victoria and 8 surrounding counties since 1925. With a focus on workforce development and training for the local industries, their new Health Science Center – an addition to their existing science building on the main campus which opened in January 2009 – is keeping them on the cutting edge of technology.
“This is a state-of-the-art allied health facility,” says Jennifer Yancey, vice president of college advancement and external affairs. “We have sophisticated simulation rooms that are like walking into a hospital warm. The walls are lined with hospital beds with mannequins in them controlled by instructors watching through one-way glass in an adjacent room.”
The college currently graduates about 150 one-year certificate applicants per year in vocational nursing and about 60 associate nurses who then become registered nurses.
They are also planning a physical therapy assistant program, which will begin in 2010, then launching an occupational therapy technician program soon after.
“The expansion of the science facility, funds from taxpayers and donations have allowed us to install modern, high-tech equipment,” Yancey says. “Our students are learning on equipment they will use in the work force.”
Story by Danny Bonvissuto
