PVCC Board to consider closure of theater courses, other programs

When the Piedmont Virginia Community College Board meets today, one item on the agenda is consideration of closure of several academic offerings. One of them is the closure of the Visual and Performing Arts: Theatre and Drama program.

“Despite past efforts to vitalize the program, annual enrollment has remained low—averaging approximately 17 students from 2019 to 2024— with fewer than five graduates per year, including only one graduate in 2024,” reads a March 31 letter from Kit Decker, the interim Dean of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social Sciences.

The review of PVCC’s curriculum takes place every two years according to one member of the administration. The Board meets today at 4 p.m. to take action on a set of recommendations. (view the agenda)

“All certificate and degree programs are reviewed on a rotating two-year cycle to ensure the programs remain aligned with student interests, transfer opportunities, workforce needs and the College’s mission,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs and Workforce Development Dr. Leonda Keniston in response to a query for this newsletter. “The Associate of Arts degree Visual and Performing Arts: Art Major and a Career Studies Certificate in Graphic and Media Arts are available.”

Decker noted that the theater program has lost $301,763.98 in the past three years and no longer meets the standard for continuation under PVCC’s strategic goals. Remaining students will have one year to finish programs.

The Health Information Management Certificate Program has had low enrollment and currently does not have a full-time coordinator. The staff report notes the Workforce Development Division has a similar non-credit program that leads to a similar certification.

“Discontinuing the HIM Certificate Program allows us to reallocate resources more effectively to areas of higher demand,” writes Nicole Winkler, Dean of Health and Life Sciences.

Another health-related program recommended for closure is the Mammography Careers Studies Certificate Program. There hasn’t been a new student since 2021.

“Regional labor market data and employer feedback suggest limited demand for entry-level mammography technologists, with most facilities preferring to cost-train existing Radiologic Technologists rather than hire new graduates from dedicated mammography programs,” Winkler writes in that memo.

Discontinuation of a major takes approval from the State Council on Higher Education for Virginia.

Other programs recommended for closure:

• The Medical Administrative Support Assistant has low-enrollment and a similar program exists in the Workforce Development Division.
• The same could be said of the Medical Laboratory Assistant Careers Studies Certificate, though this is also being recommended because a three-year grant with UVA Health ends this year.
• The Medical Laboratory Technology Associate of Applied Sciences program is also recommended to be closed. Start-up funds were also covered by a grant from UVA Health.
• Associate of Applied Sciences program in Information Systems Technology, Cloud Computing Specialization. There have only been two graduates since the program began in 2019.
• The Web Technologies Certificate of Career Studies is also recommended for closure due to low enrollment

Before you go: This story originally went out in the May 7, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement and was then posted here about 30 minutes later. That’s because the information in it is timely and will be outdated shortly.