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Curriculum Advisory Boards

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Northern Virginia is changing fast. As an employer, you’re looking for talent with the knowledge and skills to keep up—you need a direct line to a source you can trust, a place to find talented and motivated individuals who are equipped to succeed. NOVA is that source.

Every year, 70,000 students pass through our doors, ready to work.

But we need your help to ensure that these students are ready to hit the ground running. NOVA’s industry advisory boards meet twice a year to shape the curriculum and requirements for our applied degree and certificate programs, credentials that prepare students directly for successful careers in their field.

Interested? Please complete this form.

Over 30 of our programs currently have advisory boards:

  • Accounting
  • Administration of Justice
  • Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
  • American Sign Language to English Interpretation
  • Architecture Technology
  • Automotive Technology
  • Biotechnology
  • Business Management
  • Construction Management Technology
  • Contract Management
  • Cybersecurity
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • Diesel Mechanics Technology
  • Early Childhood Development
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Engineering Technology
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Graphic Design
  • Health Information Management
  • Horticulture Technology
  • Information Systems Technology
  • Interior Design
  • Medical Laboratory Technology
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Paralegal Studies
  • Photography and Media
  • Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Professional Writing
  • Public History and Historic Preservation
  • Radiography
  • Respiratory Therapy
  • Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Counselor
  • Veterinary Technology
Information about these programs of study may be viewed here
  • ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY TALENT – Whether through Career Connection, collaborative internships, or relationships with faculty, advisory board members have direct access to NOVA’s talent pipeline.
  • GREATER VISIBILITY – NOVA recognizes that advisory board members play a critical role in our success as an institution, and we make sure our broad community of stakeholders knows it too.
  • NETWORK-BUILDING – Develop valuable professional connections with other local business leaders (inside and outside your industry), as well as with other community and college leaders.
  • LEARNING AND GROWTH – Learn more about NOVA, the region, and the local labor market: Board members are provided with a yearly update on regional data trends related to their industry and program of study.
  • PAY IT FORWARD – Mentor and connect with students by providing the kind of advice and professional guidance you wish you had when you started your career.

Board members consist of professional representatives from organizations in the community and industry, with diverse experience and expertise within the related field. Board members must:

  • Be interested in and committed to excellence in education.
  • Reside in Northern Virginia (usually). When possible, the nine supporting jurisdictions in the northern Virginia region should be represented within the board membership.
  • Represent employers within the industry that hire AAS graduates. Employers must be considering hiring at this level, and/or be hiring actively.
  • Have a minimum of five years of experience in a related field.
  • Be able to serve for at least one three-year term.
  • Reflect the interdisciplinary diversity of the field it is advising (e.g. Information Technology should include members in cyber, networking, data science, etc.).

Curriculum Advisory Board Members will:

  • Participate in at least one of the two required Advisory meetings per year. 
  • Register in NOVA's Career Connection and post all relevant job opportunities on the site. This service is available at no charge to employers.
  • Review curricula and recommend changes as necessary to maintain vital and relevant education.
  • Serve as champions of NOVA in the business community.
  • Assist in providing career and professional development opportunities, including internships, for NOVA students.
  • Provide reasonable notice if unable to fulfill full term and duties.
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