Victoria College (VC) is a
public community college in
Victoria, Texas. The college first began classes in the Patti Welder High School on February 4, 1925. After
World War II, because of the growth of the surrounding area and the college population from returning
GIs, the college built its own campus and changed its name from the Victoria Junior College to Victoria College. The college shares some facilities with the
University of Houston–Victoria
The University of Houston–Victoria (UHV) is a public university in Victoria, Texas. It is part of the University of Houston System. Its campus spans in Victoria with a satellite location at UHV Katy. Founded in 1971, UHV has an enrollment o ...
.
Victoria College now serves approximately 6,200 students each year through education and training. It is designated by the US Department of Education as a
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
Service area
As defined by the
Texas Legislature, the official service area of Victoria College includes:
*
Calhoun,
DeWitt,
Gonzales Gonzales may refer to:
Places
* Gonzales, California, U.S.
* Gonzales, Louisiana, U.S.
* Gonzales, Texas, U.S.
* Gonzales County, Texas
Other uses
* Battle of Gonzales, 1835
* Gonzales (horse) (1977 – after 1996), an American-bred Thoroughbred ...
,
Lavaca, and
Victoria Counties
*
Jackson County, except the territory within the
Ganado Independent School District
*
Refugio County, except the territory within the
Woodsboro Independent School District
Woodsboro Independent School District is a public school district based in Woodsboro, Texas (USA). In addition to Woodsboro, the district also serves the town of Bayside
Schools
Woodsboro ISD has two campuses -
* Woodsboro Junior/Senior High ...
Student life
Victoria College offers more than 20 student clubs and organizations.
The VC Pirates men’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams compete at the NJCAA Division I level.
History
Victoria College was established as a part of the Victoria Independent School District in 1925, making it one of the oldest community colleges in Texas. Classes were initially held on the third floor of the Patti Welder High School with 51 students enrolling that first semester.
In Sept. 1949, Victoria College moved to its present-day Main Campus on Red River Street and constructed four buildings that year. Nearly a century later, VC has expanded to include 16 buildings on its 60-acre Main Campus, the Zelda L. Allen School of Nursing in Hallettsville (1984), the Museum of the Coastal Bend located on the Main Campus (2003); the Gonzales Center in Gonzales (2006), the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Victoria (2012), and the Emerging Technology Complex on Lone Tree Road (2015).
Over the years, Victoria College has opened new locations; underwent several name changes; expanded its workforce training, adult education, and dual enrollment offerings; and evolved into a community college that now serves approximately 6,200 students each year through education and training.
Notable alumni
*
Joseph Lee Galloway, journalist &
author (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021)
*
Jim Lehrer, journalist
*
Geanie Morrison
Geanie Williams Morrison (born October 6, 1950) is a Texas state representative from Victoria. A Republican, she has represented District 30 since January 12, 1999.
Personal life
Morrison attended Victoria College. She has two children and two ...
, member of the
Texas House of Representatives from District 30 since 1999; includes Victoria County
References
External links
Official website
Education in Victoria County, Texas
University of Houston–Victoria
Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Community colleges in Texas
Buildings and structures in Victoria, Texas
1925 establishments in Texas
{{Texas-university-stub