Roanoke Higher Education Center Celebrates 25th Anniversary
The Roanoke Higher Education Center celebrated its 25th Anniversary on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at a gala celebration at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. This milestone event celebrated the significant achievements of RHEC over the past 25 years and its work to increase access to education in the Roanoke region.Proceeds from the event will benefit the RHEC Foundation, which supports the Center's transformative educational programs that align with regional workforce needs, provides student support services, and offers scholarships to deserving students.
In August 2000, the Roanoke Higher Education Center opened its doors to its first class of students. The opening marked the culmination of over 10 years of efforts to establish a center for training and education in downtown Roanoke. A total of $19 million in state, local, and private capital, as well as federal and state historic tax credits, was used to transform the former headquarters of the Norfolk and Western Railroad, a 1931 Art Deco building, into a state-of-the-art facility for learning.
Since then, the Center has had approximately 16,000 total program completers, including degrees, certificates, and endorsements, with nearly 900 program completers in FY 2024. Today, 11-member institutions offer more than 100 degree and training programs, from GED preparation to bachelor’s and doctoral degrees. The Roanoke Higher Education Center generates over $10 million in economic impact for the region and serves as a cornerstone of downtown development and the revitalization of the historic Gainsboro neighborhood.
View a photo album of the event!