West Piedmont Higher Education Center

09/04/2026

We’re excited to partner on this important conversation about the future of manufacturing in Southern Virginia! 🏭

Join us, GENEDGE, and Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce on October 9 to hear from industry and education leaders about the opportunities, challenges, and innovations shaping our region’s manufacturing future.

It’s free to attend and lunch is provided! Register today: https://bit.ly/4bOjcLW

Celebrating Southern Virginia's manufacturing past, present, and future with industry leaders, innovators, and educators.

09/03/2026

Happening at the Center on September 10th!

Martinsville and Henry County Candidate Forum

Join us on Thursday, September 10th, beginning at 5:30 PM at the West Piedmont Higher Education Center for the Martinsville-Henry County Candidate Forum.

This forum provides an opportunity for community members to hear directly from candidates seeking local elected office, learn more about their priorities and perspectives, and become more informed as Election Day approaches.

The evening will feature candidates running for two important local offices:

Henry County Public Schools – Member at Large School Board

We will kick off the evening by hearing from the candidates seeking the Member at Large seat on the Henry County Public Schools School Board. This will give voters an opportunity to learn more about the candidates and their vision for the future of education in our community.

Martinsville City Council

Following the school board forum, we will hear from the five candidates running for the two open seats on Martinsville City Council. Candidates will have the opportunity to share their priorities and perspectives on issues impacting the City of Martinsville and its residents.

We encourage community members from across Martinsville and Henry County to attend, hear from the candidates, and take an active role in the local election process.

📅 Thursday, September 10, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM
📍 West Piedmont Higher Education Center

Have a question you’d like the candidates to answer?

We want this forum to reflect the questions and concerns that matter most to our community. Community members are invited to submit questions they would like the candidates to be asked during the forum.

Submit your question here: https://forms.gle/vUckfpE8dAUp1gmJ9

Questions will be reviewed and selected for the forum.

We look forward to seeing you there!

09/01/2026

Strong leaders build strong organizations. 💪

Whether you're a new supervisor, an experienced manager, or preparing for your next leadership role, investing in your leadership skills can transform your team and your organization.

Join us for the Six Course Leadership Training Series, presented by GENEDGE. Through interactive sessions, you'll learn practical strategies for communication, coaching, conflict resolution, trust-building, performance management, and more skills you can put to work immediately.

📍 West Piedmont Higher Education Center
📅 Sept. 8 – Nov. 17
⏰ 8 a.m. – Noon
🎟️ Register today: https://loom.ly/UhMqGuQ

Seats are limited, so don't wait to secure your spot!

08/31/2026

The Center's Monthly Mosaic: August Insights & Future Events - https://mailchi.mp/wphed/whats-happening-at-nci-12824932

08/28/2026

Why Manufacturers Matter!!!

Manufacturers do more than make products. They create careers, support families, strengthen local supply chains, drive innovation, and invest in the communities we call home.

Southern Virginia has a proud manufacturing legacy, but this event is not only about where we have been. It is also about where we are going.

Join us for The State of Manufacturing: A Southern Virginia Perspective as manufacturers, educators, business leaders, economic development professionals, elected officials, and community partners come together to celebrate our past, examine today’s opportunities, and shape the future of manufacturing.

📅 October 9, 2026
⏰ 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
📍 West Piedmont Higher Education Center
191 Fayette Street, Martinsville, Virginia

We will also have a few surprise guests in the building. I cannot tell you everything just yet, but trust me, you will want to be in the room!

Come learn, connect, and celebrate the people and companies that keep Southern Virginia moving forward.

https://bit.ly/4bOjcLW



Helping Industry Innovate, Compete and Grow

08/28/2026

🤖 SEE THE FUTURE OF STEM IN ACTION! 💥

Get ready for an action-packed day of FIRST Robotics Competition at the Southern Virginia Showdown! Watch talented student teams put engineering, strategy, teamwork, and creativity to the test as their robots battle it out on the field. 🦾🏆

Bring the family, cheer on the teams, and experience the excitement of robotics firsthand!

📍 Magna Vista High School
📅 October 3, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM–6:00 PM
Presented by: West Piedmont Higher Education Center, Henry County Public Schools, & FIRST Chesapeake
Learn More: https://loom.ly/F5u5YT4

Come see what students can build when innovation meets teamwork! 🚀

08/27/2026

🎓 Your path to becoming an educator starts here! 🍎

Through Longwood University at West Piedmont Higher Education Center, students can earn a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Teaching while staying close to home.

Whether you’re starting your college journey or looking for a convenient way to complete your degree, Longwood at WPHEC provides access to a quality education with the support of a local learning environment.

Prepare to inspire the next generation, make a difference in your community, and build a rewarding career in education. 🌟

Ready to take the next step toward your future? Learn more today!

08/26/2026

Southern Virginia’s manufacturing story didn’t begin today.

For generations, manufacturers across our region have created jobs, built products, developed skilled workers, and contributed to the communities we call home. Today, manufacturing continues to evolve with new technologies, automation, artificial intelligence, changing workforce needs, and new opportunities for innovation.

So what does the next chapter look like?
That’s one of the questions we’ll explore at The State of Manufacturing: A Southern Virginia Perspective on October 9.

We’ll bring together manufacturers, business leaders, educators, and community partners to look at where manufacturing has been, where it stands today, and where it’s headed next.

We want to hear from you:
What do you think will have the biggest impact on manufacturing in Southern Virginia over the next 10 years?
💬 Workforce & talent?
💬 Technology & automation?
💬 AI?
💬 Economic development?
💬 Something else?

Drop your answer in the comments. Then join the conversation on October 9 at the West Piedmont
Higher Education Center. Register at https://bit.ly/4bOjcLW.