In the early 17th century, poet John Donne wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main” (Meditation XVII, 1624).

The observation about the ways in which we are all interconnected is especially evident in education. Education requires diligent work by a student and a teacher.

The teacher prepares lessons, presents material and provides a feedback mechanism to evaluate progress.

The student attends to lessons, completes assignments and employs an active mind to push beyond barriers and overcome obstacles.

In the most effective learning environments, students become teachers and teachers become learners. Everyone benefits.

At Southside Virginia Community College, virtually all our programs involve collaborative efforts. SVCC’s service region, the largest in the commonwealth, spans ten counties plus the city of Emporia.

In order to deliver education opportunities throughout this vast territory, we work in concert with many other entities that provide classroom space and other services.

In addition, local high school students and their families benefit from our dual enrollment program, which involves partnerships with K-12 schools and superintendents.

Area hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers offer resources and job opportunities for students in SVCC’s nursing and allied health programs.

And, since its inception, the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission has provided much-needed financial support for innovative programming focused on finding creative solutions to problems that result from poverty and unemployment.

A complete list of SVCC’s partners goes on and on, but these few illustrate some of the ways in which education partnerships build bridges and enhance communities in our area.

Businesses benefit from the availability of a qualified workforce, and local citizens earn industry-recognized credentials that open the doors of opportunity to sustainable, self- or family-supporting careers.

Dr. Al Roberts is president of Southside Virginia Community College. He can be reached via email at al.roberts@southside.edu.