Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) has introduced NOVAnext, a comprehensive initiative to assist recently unemployed federal workers and contractors in transitioning to new careers.

“Many talented Northern Virginians are facing sudden, unexpected changes in their professional lives. As the community’s college, NOVA is focused on advancing opportunity, and the current moment has made our mission ever more important. We are honored to play a role in connecting residents across the region to their next steps, helping to build brighter futures,” said NOVA President Anne M. Kress.

NOVAnext is the region’s first program to offer dedicated training funds for unemployed federal workers and contractors. The college is committing up to $1 million in scholarship aid, enabling approved participants to enroll in one of 14 courses at no cost. Additionally, participants can access NOVA-sponsored online workshops on resume writing and job search techniques.

The courses available through NOVAnext prepare students for industry-recognized certifications in IT specialties, program management, and human resources. Other offerings include self-paced online entrepreneurship courses and a new class on Generative AI.

“NOVAnext is a step forward in strengthening our region’s workforce and tackling the challenge of ensuring long-term economic resilience. We commend Northern Virginia Community College for their swift action, empowering laid-off federal employees for future opportunities,” said Julie Coons, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “We are proud to partner with NOVA on this initiative and remain committed to building a dynamic, adaptable business environment that sustains Northern Virginia’s position as the economic driver for the region.”

To qualify for NOVAnext, applicants must:

• Be a displaced federal worker or contractor laid off on or after February 1, 2025.
• Reside within the NOVA service area, which includes Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
• Have lived in Virginia for at least one year to meet FastForward funding requirements.
• Complete an online application, which Virginia Career Works will review.

In addition to enrolling in a NOVAnext class, participants can also enroll in other FastForward or NOVA courses at regular tuition rates and may qualify for additional state financial aid.

The Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is home to a significant number of federal employees. As of December 2024, approximately 375,634 Federal Government employees were working in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan statistical area.

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), the largest community college in Virginia and one of the largest in the nation, has declared a “Code Purple” for Monday, January 6, 2025. All classes and services will be conducted online, with no in-person operations at any of the college’s six campuses or satellite centers.

The announcement, made on X, formerly known as Twitter, stated, “All #NOVA campuses are operating virtually. Classes and services are online only.” The move impacts more than 70,000 students enrolled across the college’s campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield, and Woodbridge.

NOVA offers a wide range of academic and workforce training programs and is a cornerstone of education in Northern Virginia. Students and staff are advised to check the college’s official communication channels for updates regarding the resumption of regular campus operations.

WTOP News: "Weeks after some faculty members at Northern Virginia Community College took a 'no confidence' vote in regards to President Anne Kress’ leadership, they’re now speaking out about recent policy decisions that they said are harming students.

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Inside NOVA: “Some Prince William County students will soon be able to earn college credits at Northern Virginia Community College after the launch of the Collegiate High School program.

The program allows high school students to take college courses on NOVA’s college campus and earn credits while completing their high school education, according to a Prince William school system news release.”

Read more.

Police have found what appears to be a body floating in a lake at the Woodbridge Campus of Northern Virginia Community College.

“We are awaiting additional [information] to confirm, but it is most likely a person,” said Prince William police spokeswoman Renee Carr. “There is no public safety threat and no immediate indication of foul play.”

Rescue crews were called to bring a boat to pull the object from the water.

More as we have it. Stay up to date with our news email.

Updated: One of the victims involved in the initial stabbing altercation with the suspect has died. All parties involved in the incident were adult males. The surviving victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. A knife was recovered at the scene. The identities of the deceased will be released pending notifications of their next-of-kin, police said.

Original post: Prince William County Police responded to a reported stabbing incident at an apprenticeship training center on Infantry Ridge Road, near Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus, on February 13 at 3:23 p.m.

Upon arrival, officers encountered an individual armed with a knife near the entrance. Multiple officers discharged their firearms, resulting in the suspect being pronounced deceased at the scene, police said.

Two individuals with stab wounds were found and provided with initial medical aid before being transported to nearby hospitals. Their current conditions remain undisclosed. No further victims were discovered, and the situation is under control with no ongoing threat to the community, police said

The investigation into the officer-involved shooting has been handed over to the regional Critical Incident Response Team at the request of Prince William police Chief Peter Newsham, ensuring an independent review of the incident.

An IBEW electrical training center is in the area. However, police have not confirmed it is where the shooting took place.

The shooting is the latest in a violent week in Prince William County, where an 18-year-old was carjacked at gunpoint near Potomac Mills mall.

More as we have it.

Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus: “The Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) offers a range of classes, discussion groups, a book club, weekly lunch bunch, monthly game sessions, and other social and educational events.”

“LLI is a non-profit, member-run organization founded in 2003. Our purpose is to provide a wide variety of affordable, informative, and fun educational and social opportunities in a friendly atmosphere for adults ages 50 and over.”

“The January-May session includes over 45 different activities to choose from. We are affiliated with the Manassas campus of Northern Virginia Community College. Two semester programs are offered each year during the spring and fall.”

“Membership is $75 a semester or $125 per year. Members may register for and attend as many classes as desired.”

“Classes are held in the Manassas area at local churches, a community mosque, the Hylton Performing Arts Center, County libraries and buildings, the Manassas Park Recreation Center, and the Manassas campus of Northern Virginia Community College.”

“Take a look some of our past programs and preview our upcoming programs that begin in January 2024. Visit our website, or send us an email for more information. Registration for the Spring 2024 programs begins Monday, January 15, 2024.”

The Center Square: "Tuition is increasing at Virginia community colleges for the first time in five years due to a unanimous decision from the State Board of Community Colleges."

"Virginia’s 23 community colleges are increasing their tuition by $4.61 per credit hour, about 3% of the previous in-state tuition rate. For most of them, tuition will be $158.61 per credit hour for the 2023-24 school year or $2,379.15 for a 15-credit-hour semester. Other mandatory fees will vary, depending on the college." "Eight of the colleges decided not to modify their tuition differential rates. Though the tuition increase is the same for those schools, the total tuition rate is not, and their tuition rates will be posted on their websites."

On Saturdays, OmniRide will expand its local bus and transit services in western Prince William County.

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Press release: “The City of Manassas and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) have launched an innovative program to address career readiness and workforce development: Grow Manassas. Grow Manassas is a unique collaboration between local government and higher education to provide free technical training
and professional certifications to residents. The program offers career training and college coursework free of charge to Manassas residents in partnership with NOVA’s Workforce, Fast-Forward, and Applied Technology programs.”

“Our innovative program raises awareness about the advantages of skills training and eliminates cost as a barrier to getting it,” said Patrick Small, Economic Development Director for the City of Manassas. “We have high-tech, high-wage jobs open with world-class employers in our community that don’t require college degrees,” he added. “We want our residents to get our jobs and are investing local resources to make that happen.”