Schools’ partnership has expanded undergraduate and graduate degrees offered in Richlands.
by Duane Bonifer
RICHLANDS, VA. (06/10/2026) For almost two decades, Lindsey Wilson University and Southwest Virginia Community College have helped nearly 350 area residents realize their higher education dreams.
Through a partnership formed in 2008, Lindsey Wilson and Southwest Virginia Community College have forged a seamless path that allows area residents to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree by taking classes in Richlands as well as online.
Officials from the two schools recently gathered at Southwest Virginia Community College to celebrate the partnership between two Appalachian schools, whose physical campuses are separated by 250 miles but are tightly connected in their commitment to expand educational opportunities to residents of the region.
“These opportunities are incredibly important for our students,” said Southwest Virginia Community College President Clint Hayes. “What is especially meaningful is what those graduates are doing now. They are serving in our schools, agencies, businesses and communities throughout the region.”
Hayes said the partnership has created “a seamless pathway for students, including the benefit of no out-of-state tuition or transfer fees, making it easier for them to continue their education close to home.”
“We are proud of what this partnership has accomplished and look forward to continuing to strengthen it for years to come,” he said.
As Southwest Virginia Community College Vice President of Academics and Student Affairs Bethany Rose noted, “At the end of the day, this is about creating real opportunities. It is about strengthening families and investing in the growth of our own community.”
Removing barriers
The schools’ officials said that partnership has removed many of the barriers that often prevent working adults from continuing their higher education journeys.
“I value any opportunity where we are removing barriers for our students, and this is a big one,” said Rose.
Offering working adults the option to earn a degree in person or online is another advantage of the Lindsey Wilson-Southwest Virginia partnership.
“For many people in this area, especially working adults, pursuing a graduate degree often feels like it means taking courses online. That is not the case with Lindsey Wilson,” said Rose. “You can stay right here close to home, learn face-to-face with an instructor and get the support you need to be successful in a way that feels personal and connected.”
The Lindsey Wilson-Southwest Virginia partnership also serves as a reminder of the strength found in numbers.
“Opportunities like this highlight the power of collaboration in creating meaningful pathways for student success, workforce development and community well-being,” said Lindsey Wilson Regional Academic Director Kimberly Brown. “As educators, we are committed to preparing students not only for their professions, but also for service and leadership within their communities.”
The partnership started in 2008 with one academic program in counseling. It has evolved to include in-person and online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in applied machine learning and artificial intelligence, business, counseling and human services, criminal justice, data science, and nursing.
“We are very thankful for our partnership with Southwest Virginia Community College and the opportunity to serve their students by offering high-demand professions that help strengthen communities throughout the region,” said Lindsey Wilson Director of Enrollment Ryan Vitatoe.
Lindsey Wilson University and Southwest Virginia Community College officials gathered recently at Southwest Virginia Community College to celebrate the schools’ nearly 20-year partnership that has expanded higher education opportunities for area residents. From left: Lindsey Wilson Enrollment Coordinator Kathy McVey, Lindsey Wilson counseling professor Rick Carroll, Lindsey Wilson Director of Enrollment Ryan Vitatoe, Southwest Virginia Community College President Clint Hayes and Lindsey Wilson Regional Academic Director Kimberly Brown.
Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 30 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university’s 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.
(Duane Bonifer – Lindsey Wilson University)