2026
From Community College Student to College President: Dr. Cornelius Johnson Begins New Chapter in DCC's 60-Year Legacy
DANVILLE, VA (October 19, 2026) – Long before Dr. Cornelius Johnson became the eighth president of Danville Community College (DCC), he was a community college student himself.
His educational journey began at Seattle Central Community College, where he earned an associate degree that would become the foundation for a career spanning higher education, student success, and institutional leadership. Decades later, that journey has come full circle.
On Friday, October 16, Johnson was formally installed as the eighth president of Danville Community College during a historic inauguration ceremony celebrating not only his leadership, but the enduring promise of community college education and the institution's 60-year legacy in Southern Virginia.
The occasion brought together representatives of higher education institutions, community leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and regional partners to recognize a milestone in the College's history and reaffirm its commitment to the generations of students yet to come.
For Johnson, whose career has been defined by expanding educational access and helping students realize their potential, the significance of the moment extended well beyond the ceremony itself.
DCC Awarded Nearly $1.5 Million to Continue TRIO Southern Piedmont Educational Opportunity Center
Danville Community College (DCC) has been approved for a new five-year federal grant totaling $1,498,000 to continue its TRIO Southern Piedmont Educational Opportunity Center (SP-EOC), extending more than two decades of work to expand access to postsecondary education, training, and career opportunities throughout Southside Virginia.
DCC and Old Dominion University Establish Transfer Pathway in Manufacturing Engineering Technology
New agreement creates a seamless pathway from DCC’s Industrial Maintenance Technology program to a four-year engineering technology degree at ODU
DCC, First Piedmont Establish Registered Apprenticeship Partnership for Diesel Technicians
Danville Community College (DCC) and First Piedmont Waste & Recycling Solutions, Inc. formalized a new workforce partnership on Thursday, September 3, with the signing of a registered apprenticeship agreement designed to create a direct pathway for students in DCC’s Diesel Maintenance Technology program to continue their training and launch careers in the diesel industry.
DCC and CRB Electrical & Mechanical Launch Apprenticeship Partnership with First Apprentice Signing
Danville Community College (DCC) and CRB Electrical & Mechanical, Inc. marked a new workforce development partnership Friday with the signing of an apprenticeship agreement and the celebration of CRB’s first apprentice through DCC’s Knight’s Apprenticeship Program, Austin Smith.
The signing ceremony, held at CRB Electrical & Mechanical’s headquarters in Chatham, brought together representatives from DCC, CRB, and Virginia Works to recognize the new partnership and its shared commitment to developing a highly skilled workforce in Southern Virginia.
DCC Welcomes Athletic Alumni, Championship Team and Retirees Home for 60th Anniversary Convocation
Six decades of Danville Community College history came together Tuesday, August 18, as DCC welcomed former student-athletes, coaches, championship baseball players, and retired faculty and employees back to campus for a special recognition during the College’s 60th Anniversary Fall Convocation.
The celebration honored the people who helped shape the DCC experience across generations while giving current faculty and staff an opportunity to connect with an important part of the College’s history.
DCC Nursing Class of 2026 Achieves 93.75% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Danville Community College (DCC) is celebrating outstanding results from its May 2026 Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) graduating class, with 93.75% of graduates passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) on their first attempt.
All 32 graduates from DCC’s May 2026 nursing cohort have taken the NCLEX-RN at least once. Of those graduates, 30 passed on their first attempt, representing a combined first-attempt pass rate of 93.75%.
DCC and JTI Celebrate Second Apprentice Through Knight’s Apprenticeship Program
DANVILLE, Va. – Danville Community College (DCC) and Japan Tobacco International (JTI) are continuing to build on their workforce development partnership with the signing of Jorge Mendoza as the second JTI apprentice through DCC’s Knight’s Apprenticeship Program.
Danville Community College Partners with Adult Detention Center to Expand Education and Workforce Opportunities
Danville Community College (DCC) has entered into a new partnership with the City of Danville Adult Detention Center to provide educational programming, career exploration, and workforce development opportunities for individuals participating in programs at the facility.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to preparing individuals for successful futures by expanding access to education, developing essential workplace skills, and creating pathways to employment and continued learning.
Danville Community College Earns Reaffirmation of Accreditation
Danville Community College (DCC) has officially been reaffirmed by SACSCOC (The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges), soon to be The Commission on Colleges and Universities, confirming that the college continues to meet the rigorous standards of quality required for institutional accreditation.