Allied Health Building
The Allied Health Building provides specialized training courses for many of VC’s health science programs. Funds secured from public and private grants allowed Victoria College to update laboratory and instructional facilities, and provided state-of-the-art
simulation equipment.
Project Update
The Health Sciences Center has undergone significant enhancements to better prepare students for careers in emergency medical services, respiratory care, medical assisting, and phlebotomy. Updated laboratory and instructional facilities, as well as simulation equipment, will benefit students in all programs leading to health careers. The Johnson Symposium, a venue for events and performances, has also undergone a facelift with improved lighting, technology, and seating.
After completing Victoria College’s Level 1 millwright class, Richard thought he was on the right track to a rewarding career. He was working for a local energy services company, but was laid off in October 2019. He chose to use this time for an opportunity to enhance his career prospects by taking additional millwright classes. And, within a year, he completed Level 5, the highest level of millwright courses the National Center for Construction Education and Research offers at Victoria College.
Richard wanted to get all the levels done within a certain time frame, but did not have the financial resources to do so. It looked as if he would have to wait to complete the courses. That’s when Mary Hardy, VC’s Workforce & Continuing Education Program Coordinator, came to the rescue. She informed and guided Richard on how to apply for Workforce and Continuing Education scholarships offered by the VC Foundation.
“Mary really worked hard to get me the scholarships,” Richard said. “I am very thankful, because I didn’t know what I was going to do.”
Even though Richard has kept his promise to himself by finishing what he started, he has one regret. “I wish I would have known about what Victoria College has to offer sooner. I would have done this 10 years ago.”
It took just one semester for 24-year-old Harley to realize she should have listened to her parents about where she would continue her education. After graduating from Calhoun High School, Snyder enrolled into a four-year university where she incurred over $7,000 in student loan debt.
Harley returned to Port Lavaca and began working to pay off the debt. Three years and two children later, she is attending Victoria College with hopes of getting into VC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program. A first-generation college student, Harley expressed how her parents’ hard work to better themselves motivated her to succeed academically.
“I was raised in a humble home and, until I became an adult and had my own family, I didn’t realize what my parents had to go through to support themselves, my brother and me,” Harley wrote.
Snyder enrolled at Victoria College for the Fall 2019 semester and joined Victoria College’s KEY Center, a TRIO Student Support Services program funded fully by the United States Department of Education. Pam Neumann, KEY Center director, convinced Snyder to take her higher education further than she originally planned.
“I came to VC just wanting to get my associate degree,” she said. “Ms. Neumann opened my eyes to the RN Program and now I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing.”
Harley recently gave birth to her second child.
“It’s hard sometimes juggling motherhood and school,” Snyder said. “But I feel like I have a family that supports me. VC has been great. I had my newborn last semester right before finals. My professors really worked with me.”
Looking back, Snyder said her only regret is that she didn’t attend Victoria College straight out of high school.
“Things really worked out, so I’m happy about that. I found out at VC that there was more one-on-one attention given to students,” Harley stated. “The professors are amazing, and there are a lot more resources that can help you.”
After graduating at the top of her class at Industrial High School, Monica could have chosen to attend Texas A&M University-College Station a year earlier. She, however, chose Victoria College for her freshman year. Monica was very pleased with her decision.
“Victoria College has provided both a welcoming community and challenging course work. I have experienced both scholastic and personal growth, ”she noted in her scholarship acceptance.
With three family members in college and health issues with her mother and sister, the financial support received through scholarships was a benefit to Monica and her family.
While at Victoria College, she made the most of her time. She was named to the Dean’s List, inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, and worked at the College’s KEY Center assisting other students.
Monica also did her other homework. She researched classes to make sure she was taking only the ones needed. This kept her on the right path to her major in Environmental Design, which saved her time and money.
“I fully recognize the generosity of the scholarship donors and have proven myself to be a good steward of what is given to me,” she said. “Your support will help me realize more achievements, and for that, I am deeply grateful.”
