College Information

The mission of Catawba Valley Community College is to empower individuals and enrich the community by providing quality education and workforce training for economic and personal development.

College benchmarks of accountability will be met or exceeded for institutional goals.
To enhance student learning, College personnel will:

Foster effective internal and external communications.

Manage enrollment to meet program, employer, and student needs.

Promote a positive image of the College to the external community.

Evaluate and integrate appropriate technology.

Plan processes for efficient utilization of resources to meet the program and service needs of the community.

Respond to the educational needs of a diverse student population.

Provide for adequate physical facilities to meet program and service needs.

Secure additional funding and other resources to supplement local, state, and federal budgets.

Create a positive campus environment.

Through the concerted efforts of concerned and united Catawba County citizens and North Carolina educational leaders, on April 3, 1958, Catawba Valley Community College was established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as the ninth school of its kind in the state. Construction of the original facilities began in 1959. The 40,000 square foot building costing approximately $500,000 was completed in August 1960. An initial enrollment of seventy-seven (77) students began classes in September of the same year. From 1960 to 1963, the College operated under the jurisdiction of the Catawba County Board of Education. During this time the College was known as the Catawba County Industrial Education Center.

In July 1963. the General Assembly of North Carolina enacted into law G.S. 115A which provided for the establishment of the present North Carolina System of Community Colleges. On January 9, 1964, Catawba Valley Technical Institute was among the original seven institutes chartered by the Department. At that time, CVTI established its own Board of Trustees and began operation as a member of the Department of Community Colleges. Thus, it was in August 1964, that the College awarded its first Associate Degree in Applied Science.

It was during the transition from an Industrial Education Center to Technical Institute that great strides began in expanding educational programs, increasing student enrollment, developing quality instruction, adding facilities, and increasing community acceptance and service. On September 1, 1979, the name of the institution was changed to Catawba Valley Technical College by the Trustees and commissioners of Catawba County. On December 1, 1987, the State Board of Community Colleges officially approved CVTC to become Catawba Valley Community College and the College Transfer program was approved. The College continues as a publicly supported coeducational institution.

Catawba Valley Community College, located about half way between Hickory and Newton on Highways 70 and 321, is in Catawba County, North Carolina.

Situated in the heart of the Piedmont some 1,175 feet above sea level, CVCC is easily accessible over Interstate 40, Highways 321, 70, 16, and 127. It is within seven miles of a commercial airport and approximately 50 miles from metropolitan Charlotte.

The campus covers 120 acres and includes ten buildings for a total of 270.000 square feet of floor space. In addition, there is a college Art Center on the Startown Highway, an Education Center in downtown Newton, the Alexander County Center, Balls Creek Center, and an East Campus.

The facilities consist of modern brick buildings, most of which are air conditioned. Included is a 42,000 volume library for the use of both students and public, a student center and food service area for leisure relaxation and entertainment, and numerous classrooms and laboratories all of which are equipped with modern, up-to-date furniture and equipment.

For additional information or questions about this page send an email to swilliam@cvcc.edu