Meeting The Needs Of
Our Community
Welcome to the heart of transformation where education meets community. Victoria College embarks on a journey of growth and innovation, shaping the future on projects that embody our mission to enrich lives and empower individuals.
The Path You’re Paving
At Victoria College, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and uplift communities. Our story is one of resilience, aspiration, and unwavering commitment to excellence. With nearly a century of service, we stand at the threshold of a new era, marked by groundbreaking projects designed to expand horizons, foster innovation, and create opportunities.
Crafting Spaces for Success
Voices of Impact
meet Monica
meet Harley
meet Richard
After earning her certification in Victoria College’s Level 1 culinary program, Monica was well on her way to realizing her dream of becoming a chef. She had been gaining experience at a local bakery, but when the business closed in late 2019, Monica saw it as an opportunity to further hone her skills and expand her culinary expertise. Determined to rise to the top of her field, she enrolled in advanced patisserie courses. Within just a year, she mastered Level 5, the pinnacle of culinary training offered through Victoria College’s partnership with the American Culinary Federation.
Monica’s ambition was clear, yet financial constraints threatened to pause her educational journey. It seemed inevitable that she would have to delay her advanced courses. That’s when she was introduced to Victoria College’s Workforce & Continuing Education Program Coordinator, Mary Hardy. Mary enlightened Monica on the availability of scholarships through the VC Foundation.
“Mary was incredible in helping me secure the funding,” Monica expressed gratefully. “I was at a crossroads, and without her help, I’m not sure where I’d be right now.
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 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.”
