Northern Virginia Community College

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is an institution of higher education with six permanent campuses throughout Northern Virginia.

NOVA is the largest educational institution in Virginia, with over 75,000 students and 2,600 faculty and staff. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

History
NOVA was originally founded in date established::1964 under the name "Northern Virginia Technical College". Its original location was in a single building in Bailey's Crossroads, accommodating 761 students. The following year, the school purchased 78 acres in Annandale to create its first permanent campus. The school was renamed "Northern Virginia Community College" that same year as a result of the Virginia General Assembly renaming the state's school system to Virginia Community College System.

In 1969, Northern Virginia Community College was granted accreditation by the State Council of Higher Education.