Germanna Community College is one of 23 community colleges in Virginia that make up the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Founded in 1970, Germanna is a two-year public college that offers affordable, high-quality, and accessible education to residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, Culpeper, King George, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania, and Stafford.
The State Board for Community Colleges sets policies for the college, with guidance from the Germanna Community College Board. Germanna receives most of its funding from the state, with additional support from local governments and student tuition.
Mission
As a public, comprehensive community college, Germanna provides accessible, high-quality educational and training opportunities that address our communities’ diverse and changing learning needs.
This Mission is achieved through:
Courses, programs, and services that enable students to gain access to and succeed in higher education; associate degrees and courses that prepare students to advance and to succeed in four year colleges and universities; training and services to develop successful employees who meet employers’ specific needs; training, associate degrees, and certificates for students to enter and succeed in the workplace; and services and support for community and economic development.
Vision
Germanna Community College is recognized as the region’s leader and preferred partner for providing excellence in accessible educational opportunities and related services to our communities. Our quality learning experiences enable students to participate effectively in the social, economic, political, intellectual, and cultural life of their communities. Germanna, a dynamic learning organization, is the premier gateway to personal and community development.
Values
Our values influence our thoughts, guide our decisions, mold our policies, and help determine our course of action. Student learning and success are at the heart of all that we do and are demonstrated by:
Passion for learning and teaching: We demonstrate our commitment to the belief that everyone can learn. Although at different rates and in different ways, all learners can learn if we challenge, support, and believe in them through everything we do and in every decision we make.
Integrity: We are true to our mission, to our values, to our learners, to our communities, and to each other. We say what we mean, and we do what we say. We admit our mistakes and take responsibility for our actions.
Culture of service: We are dedicated to serving the educational and training needs of our students and communities. Our individual wants are secondary to the mission we serve.
Excellence: We seek to achieve excellence and to foster and develop excellence in our learners. We continuously improve our teaching and organizational systems and processes. We embody a culture of evidence and make decisions using that evidence.
Professionalism: We exhibit the skill, competence, and character expected of educational professionals.
Stewardship: We practice servant leadership. We effectively manage and maintain the resources in our care. We uphold the responsibility placed on us as teachers and supporters of teachers of the current and future citizens of our service area, our commonwealth, and our nation.
Respect: We treat our students, our stakeholders, our resources, and each other with courtesy and respect. We respect each other enough to speak truths and have courageous conversations, and we do so with civility.
Accreditation
Germanna Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award Associate Degrees.
Germanna Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Germanna Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.
In addition, the AAS nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (3390 Peachtree Road N.E., Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA, 30326, (404) 975-5000), and both the AAS nursing and the practical nursing certificate programs are approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing (Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233-1463, (804) 367-4473).
The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Germanna Community College (including the offering at Laurel Ridge Community College) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085. Phone: 703-706-3245, Email: accreditation@apta.org. Website: http://www.capteonline.org. To contact the program/institution directly, please call 540-423-9844 or email ptassistant@germanna.edu.
The programs in Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and have been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda. Germanna’s next site visit is scheduled for Fall 2027. Third-party comments may be submitted by interested parties such as faculty, students, program administrators, Commission consultants, specialty and dental-related organizations, patients, and/or consumers. Comments are accepted 60 days before each program’s site visit to allow time for the program to respond. Comments should be sent to 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, or by calling 1-800-621-8099, extension 4653. All comments submitted must pertain only to the standards relative to the particular program being reviewed or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process.
Germanna Community College’s Pharmacy Technician program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814 and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 190 LaSalle Street- Suite 2850, Chicago, Illinois 60603-4810.
Promoting Student Success
Student success for all students is a core value of Germanna. We recognize our responsibility to create, maintain, and nurture an academic and support environment that respects all people and ideas. We are committed to preparing individuals to thrive in a global society by being a community that welcomes all cultures, experiences, and abilities.
Administration
The President is responsible for leading and managing Germanna Community College. The President reports to the Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and follows policies set by the State Board for Community Colleges.
The President’s job is to ensure that Virginia laws related to the college are followed and to carry out the policies, rules, and regulations of VCCS, the State Board, and the Germanna College Board fairly and consistently.
The President can delegate responsibilities to faculty or staff members when needed. The President or a designated representative may take any necessary legal or institutional actions to carry out these duties.
Alumni Association
The Alumni Association helps support Germanna Community College’s mission by building strong, lasting connections between alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the community.
All Germanna graduates are welcome to join the association. If you are interested in serving on a committee, planning events, or helping with social activities, please contact the Foundation Office at (540) 423-9060.
Educational Foundation
The Germanna Community College Educational Foundation, Inc., was created in 1983 to support the growth and success of the college. The Foundation raises, invests, and manages private donations to help Germanna fulfill its mission. It is a tax-exempt organization, meaning donors may be able to deduct contributions as allowed by the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation is also registered with the State Corporation Commission of Virginia.
While state funding covers basic college operations, additional support is needed to provide students with enhanced educational opportunities. The Foundation helps fund student scholarships, advanced learning resources, faculty and staff development, and other improvements in alignment with policies set by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Foundation’s by-laws.
How to Give
Individuals, businesses, and industries can support the college in many ways, including:
- Cash gifts
- Securities (stocks, bonds, or mutual funds)
- Wills and trusts
- Life insurance policies
- Real estate or property donations
Gift Management
- Unrestricted gifts are managed by the Foundation Board of Directors.
- Restricted gifts are used as directed by the donor, following the Board’s policies.
For more information or assistance with making a gift, please contact the Foundation Office at (540) 423-9060.
History of the College
History of Germanna Community College
Germanna Community College is named after a group of German settlers who, in 1714, established a fort and settlement at Germanna Ford on the Rapidan River under Governor Alexander Spotswood.
In 1956, descendants of these settlers formed the Memorial Foundation of Germanna Colonies in Virginia, Inc.. A decade later, in 1966, Virginia created the community college system. A site selection committee recommended placing the college at the center of its service region. In 1969, the Memorial Foundation of Germanna Colonies donated 100 acres along the Rapidan River to the state for a community college, and the College Board chose the name Germanna Community College to honor this history.
Germanna held its first classes on October 13, 1970, in a partially completed building.
Campus Expansions
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Fredericksburg Area Campus:
- Opened in January 1997 on 70 acres donated by the John T. Hazel Family.
- Phase I was funded through the efforts of Delegate V. Earl Dickinson, for whom the first building is named.
- Phase II, the Workforce Development and Technology Center, opened in October 2004.
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Culpeper Campus:
- In 1998, the Educational Foundation received 100 acres in Culpeper, donated by Rose Bente Lee, Kaye and Marie Andrus, Nicholas and Flora Tomasetti, and Philip and Susan DeSiato.
- The Joseph R. Daniel Technology Center opened in 2006.
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Stafford County Center:
- Opened in July 2009 with support from the Stafford Economic Development Authority (EDA).
- Enrollment has exceeded 1,000 students, leading to the opening of a new facility in August 2018, thanks to generous donations from Barbara J. Fried and her family.
- Two new facilities opened in the Fall of 2024 to provide state-of-the-art training in computer technology and health care.
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Fredericksburg Area Campus Additions:
- Science & Engineering Building and Information Commons opened in May 2012, providing classrooms, labs, and student services.
- A parking garage was added in August 2012.
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Workforce & Community Education Centers:
- Caroline Center opened in 2015.
- FredCAT (Fredericksburg Center for Advanced Technology) opened in 2017 to provide noncredit workforce training.
- CTEC (Culpeper Technical Center)
Supporting Germanna’s Growth
As Germanna continues to expand and improve to meet the needs of its students and communities, additional resources are needed. To learn more about investment and leadership opportunities, please contact the Germanna Educational Foundation at (540) 423-9060.
Location & Facilities
Fredericksburg Area Campus in Spotsylvania
10000 Germanna Point Drive, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22408
Telephone: 540-891-3000
The Fredericksburg Area Campus, located in Spotsylvania County, is at Lee’s Hill, near the intersection of Interstate 95 and Routes 1 and 17 South, about five miles south of the City of Fredericksburg.
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Dickinson Building (Phase I):
- Opened as the first building on the Fredericksburg Campus.
- 76,000 square feet with classrooms, laboratories, a student lounge, a bookstore, and offices for faculty and administrative staff.
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Workforce Development and Technology Center (Phase II):
- 40,000 square feet focused on technology-based instruction and advanced training programs.
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Science & Engineering Building and Information Commons (Phase III):
- Opened in May 2012 as the third building on the campus.
- Provides science labs, instructional resources, a library, a student lounge, and offices for Deans and faculty.
- Located next to a parking garage for added convenience.
Joseph R. Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper
18121 Technology Drive, Culpeper, Virginia 22701
Telephone: 540-937-2934
The Joseph R. Daniel Technology Center is located at the junction of U.S. Route 29 and State Route 3, just east of the town of Culpeper. The center sits on 34 acres and features a 39,000-square-foot, two-level facility designed primarily for workforce development and technology training. In addition to career-focused programs, the center also offers a variety of credit classes.
Key Features
- Conference center: Seats 600 in a theater-style setup or 300 for banquet seating.
- Manufacturing technology lab: Supports hands-on technical training.
- Executive conference room: Provides a professional space for meetings.
- Interactive video theater: Used for virtual learning and presentations.
- Computer technology lab: Equipped for IT and tech-focused training.
- Training suite: Offers flexible learning spaces for various programs.
- Catering kitchen: Supports events and hospitality training.
Locust Grove Campus
2130 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove, Virginia 22508
Telephone: 540-423-9000
The Locust Grove Campus is located on Route 3, halfway between Culpeper and Fredericksburg. It sits on 100 acres next to the Rapidan River in Orange County. This campus is home to Germanna’s Nursing and Allied Health Programs.
Campus Features
Future Expansion
Plans are in place to expand the facilities at the Locust Grove Campus to meet the growing demand for nurses and other healthcare providers.
Stafford County Facilities
With strong support from Stafford County, Germanna relocated the Barbara J. Fried Center and added a building to expand services. Together, these two buildings provide over 74,000 square feet of space, allowing Germanna to double student enrollment in Allied Health programs, including nursing.
The new facilities include:
- Barbara J. Fried Center (10 Center St.)
- Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Center (25 Center St.)
In addition, Germanna expanded programs in:
- Cybersecurity
- Information Technology (IT)
- General Education
- Dual Enrollment
Fredericksburg Center for Advanced Technology
1325 Central Park Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Telephone: 540-891-3070
The Fredericksburg Center for Advanced Technology (FredCAT) is located in Central Park and offers credential programs, apprenticeship training, and support services in high-demand fields.
What FredCAT Offers
- Expert-led training programs are designed to help students and graduates stand out to local employers in well-paying, in-demand careers.
- A workspace for students and entrepreneurs to design, prototype, and collaborate, supporting local technology and manufacturing startups.
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