Our Mission Statement
Centura College helps adult students gain the skills and attitudes necessary for a meaningful entry-level career position. We strive to be responsive to the needs of our students, as well as businesses, industries, and government. We are committed to high academic standards in all curricular offerings, and we are dedicated to providing the services that support our students’ efforts to succeed.
Dr. Joel A. English, President
Congratulations on your decision to pursue a higher education at Centura College. Founded in 1969 here in Southeastern Virginia, our institution is steeped in a tradition of career education and workforce development. Our programs are designed with an experienced group of industry leaders to make sure that we are preparing students for today’s workplace, and our campuses are built to support budding professionals within the industries we serve.
I am particularly proud of our faculty who will be teaching you over the following semesters of your education. Our faculty members are hand selected from the workforce and are seasoned veterans from the industry for which you are preparing. In order to teach at our institution, faculty members are required not only to have the appropriate academic background, but also years of professional work in business and industry. Your instructors will bring wisdom, guidance, and practical scenarios directly from the workplace, assuring that you will be prepared both theoretically and practically to become a professional within your chosen career field.
Our campuses benefit from relationships with local hospitals, offices, and businesses who employ our graduates. As you near graduation, you will work one-on-one with a Career Services Coordinator who will help you explore job opportunities that fit your interest. I also think you’ll appreciate our campus facilities, which include a Veterans Center, a Student Lounge, an innovative Learning Resource Center, hands on laboratories that simulate the working environment, a variety of technological resources, and several other features that are designed for your success.
I’m glad you have chosen to join our academic community, and I look forward to watching you develop your career within our institution.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joel A. English, President
Core Educational Objectives
Centura College is dedicated to the success of our students from the moment they enroll, through the academic process, and into their professional lives after graduation. Our core educational objectives guide our support of student success throughout the process.
We provide quality academic programs and student support services through innovative delivery methods, in order to support students’ successful educational achievement, graduation, professional certification where applicable, and employment within today’s marketplace.
We support graduates’ transition into entry-level professional positions within their fields of study, encouraging them to positively influence their employers, their professional industry, and their local communities.
We rely upon experienced and engaging faculty to provide an excellent educational experience to a wide array of students, benefitting from the faculty’s direct experience within the professional workplace.
We encourage students to develop sound financial literacy and strong fiscal decision-making as they complete their academic programs, enter the workforce, and take control of their financial futures.
We encourage personal development, interpersonal skills, and commitment to community and personal ethics, so students grow to become not only more skilled professionals but also better human beings.
Institutional History
Our organization was founded in 1969 as an agency dedicated to workforce development and career training. Founding President Gerald Yagen formed Employment Services, Inc. in Norfolk, Virginia to provide contemporary employment services to those in need of careers throughout Southeastern Virginia. His employment agency thrived through the 1970s, and in 1982, he founded The Electronics Institute of Technology, a post-secondary institution that provided electronics, computer, and office administration training to those seeking to enhance their career potential.
1982
The Electronics Institute of Technology, was founded by Gerald Yagen.1986
The Electronics Institute of Technology began expanding its program offerings.1989
The Electronics Institute of Technology changed its name to Tidewater Tech.1992
The institution launched a second school group, Beta Tech.2008
The school systems merged under one new name, Centura College.2020
Centura College continues to provide training to students with the addition of a number of skilled trades program.Ready to achieve your career goals? You have our support all the way.
Let us get you the information you need and answer any questions you may have along the way.
