NOVA | Annandale

Welcome As Dean of Student Development at the Annandale Campus, it is my pleasure to add my welcome to both new and returning students to those of the President of Northern Virginia Community College and the Provost of the Annandale Campus.

Colleges are dynamic places. Here we do not merely dispense information, but we help you to learn to organize and synthesize information into knowledge and ultimately to discover connections which bring about understanding. People change here. If indeed study is done with energy and commitment, nobody leaves as they came.

College is also not only about what we can give to you, but about what you can bring and share with fellow students, professors and staff. Everyone brings something valuable to the college and the professors and staff not only teach, we learn as well.

In order to get a good start, you should give some attention to the NOVA college catalog and Student Handbook which contain most of the information you require. They contain extremely valuable information, including your rights and responsibilities as a NOVA student. I urge you to spend a couple of hours learning your way around these publications. If you do, your awareness of the college, it's requirements of you and your rights as a student will be greatly increased. The effort will pay big dividends, indeed.

Unless you are lucky enough to be independently wealthy, I encourage you to explore the Financial Aid options which may be available to you.

I also recommend that first-time college students enroll in a Student Development class for their first semester at NOVA. All Student Development courses cover topics related to academic success, responsible decision-making, use of technology and college information.

I hope you take full advantage of attending college. What happens here, from friends made to knowledge acquired, will last for your lifetime.