Piedmont Virginia Community College and Central Virginia Community College Partner to Expand Surgical Technology Program

Charlottesville, Va. – October 15, 2026 – Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) is pleased to announce the expansion of its Surgical Technology Program through partnership with Central Virginia Community College (CVCC), in Lynchburg, Virginia. The partnership will increase access to the program and further elevate the healthcare workforce pipeline in the Commonwealth.

Pending final approvals, PVCC will deliver academic instruction, while laboratory and clinical components will be offered in Lynchburg for CVCC students. Graduates will earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in surgical technology from Piedmont Virginia Community College.

Over the past two years, PVCC has graduated an average of eight Surgical Technology students annually, with 100 percent of those graduates remaining in the region. This strong local retention reflects the program’s vital role in preparing skilled surgical technologists to meet regional workforce needs.

“Our Surgical Technology Program has a strong record of preparing graduates who stay in our region and serve the healthcare needs of our communities. Expanding this pathway through our partnership with Central Virginia Community College will allow us to prepare more students for these high-demand careers while strengthening the surgical workforce across Central Virginia,” shared PVCC Dean of Health and Life Sciences Nicole Winkler.

The initial cohort of CVCC students is expected to be welcomed in fall 2027. To help students prepare for success, prerequisite coursework will be available prior to the start of the first cohort. Students interested in the program are encouraged to begin completing prerequisites in advance to prepare for admission to the expansion program.

“This partnership creates a meaningful new pathway for students in the Lynchburg region who are interested in surgical technology but may not have had convenient access to the program before,” said Dr. Jason Ferguson, Central Virginia Community College Chief Workforce Officer and Associate Vice President of Professional and Career Studies. “By bringing laboratory and clinical experiences closer to home while partnering with PVCC to stream lectures to students here so they don’t have to commute, we can reduce barriers for students and connect more people with a career that is vital to our region’s healthcare system.”

The Surgical Technology Program is designed for individuals entering the healthcare field as well as those pursuing career growth or a professional transition and offers a pathway for a wide range of learners. Learn more about the program at pvcc.edu/programs/surgical-technology.

Central Virginia Community College is a two-year state college located in Lynchburg, Virginia and is part of the Virginia Community College System. Established in 1966, CVCC serves students at its main campus in Lynchburg, and its off-site centers in Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell counties. The curricula and programs of the college serve more than 228,000 people within this geographical jurisdiction. With academic excellence as its aim in all areas, CVCC offers various programs to meet the diverse needs of the region it serves. Learn more about CVCC at centralvirginia.edu.

Established in 1972, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a nonresidential two-year institution of higher education that serves Central Virginia – principally, residents of the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. PVCC is committed to providing access to a college education for all who can benefit, an opportunity for each student to reach their potential, and excellence in all programs and services. The main campus is in Albemarle County, Virginia. Classes are also offered at the PVCC Eugene Giuseppe Center in Stanardsville, Va. (Greene County) and the PVCC Jefferson School CityCenter in downtown Charlottesville. Visit pvcc.edu.

PVCC does not discriminate based on age, color, disability, family medical history or genetic information, military service, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation or any other non-merit-based factor. Visit pvcc.edu/nondiscrimination to learn more.