The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center on Dec. 10 showcased a new website, promotional videos and early results from marketing for a rural IT apprenticeship while partner institutions updated trustees on academic and community programs.

Hannah Haila, senior director of events and operations, introduced Megan Hoeven Haver as the center’s new marketing and public‑relations coordinator and invited Corporate Image to present the center’s redesigned website, which emphasizes a hero video, partner institution linkouts, program pages and an opt‑in banner to capture visitor interest.

“First and foremost … I oversee the center’s marketing department,” Haila said, introducing the new hire and the center’s marketing work.

Corporate Image walked trustees through site features and two three‑minute videos: one promoting rental facilities (highlighting the Joseph P. Johnson Jr. Grand Hall’s 13,000 square feet and seating capacity) and another profiling students who used the center’s partnerships to earn advanced degrees without leaving their communities. One testimonial described the center as “the real deal,” crediting local partnerships with enabling degree attainment while staying in the region.

Staff and the marketing vendor also reported early traction for digital outreach to recruit businesses and apprentices for the rural IT apprenticeship. Corporate Image said the campaign — launched on Facebook and LinkedIn about six weeks earlier — produced roughly 2,000 clicks and about 400 landing‑page interactions at the one‑month mark. A program administrator reported seven “solid leads”; Matlock said five apprentices had completed applications and that total apprenticeship participation was approaching the low‑to‑mid‑20s.

“The benefits are ... getting that message in front of the correct people,” a Corporate Image representative told trustees while reviewing targeting for the 22 eligible localities and employer requirements.

Partner updates followed: Randy Rose, associate vice chancellor for community and economic development at UVA Wise, described LEAD SWBA, a regional leadership development cohort that will run through November with a graduation planned at the Higher Education Center, and noted graduate education expansion at UVA Wise, including a Master of Education program that enrolled more than 60 students in its second year. Allison Mays, director of the Virginia Tech Southwest Center, highlighted the center’s first Virginia Small Towns Conference (about 100 attendees) and said a two‑page economic impact report on the Virginia Creeper Trail and the effects of Hurricane Elaine was released to trustees in their packets that day.

No public comments were submitted during the meeting’s public‑comment period. The board concluded with announcements about the annual report (with QR codes to videos) and a reception following adjournment.