The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, VA (VR)— Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is proud to announce that its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Center of Excellence program has been selected as the Zone 8 winner of the prestigious 2026 Postsecondary Exemplary Program award.
Part of the annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Creating Excellence Awards—co- sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education and Virginia’s Community College System (VCCS)—the Postsecondary Exemplary Program award recognizes programs that demonstrate exceptional student outcomes, innovative curriculum design, and effective response to regional workforce shortages.
The CDL Center of Excellence at MGCC has established itself as a critical economic driver for the region, providing students with rigorous, high-quality technical training to seamlessly transition into high-demand jobs within the transportation and logistics sector. The Zone 8 designation honors the program as a regional blueprint for educational and workforce training excellence.
“We are incredibly honored that our Commercial Driver’s License Center of Excellence has been recognized with this regional award,” said Dr. Matt McGraw, Associate Vice-President for Workforce Solutions at Mountain Gateway Community College. “This accolade reflects the dedication of our instructors, staff, and industry partners who work tirelessly to ensure our students receive premier training that meets critical supply chain demands and leads directly to sustainable, high-paying careers.”
MGCC’s CDL Center of Excellence and other regional honorees will be celebrated at an official awards luncheon on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at noon. The event will take place at the Delta Hotel by Marriott, 555 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 21234.
In addition to celebrating the zonal achievements, the VCCS will officially announce and honor the overall 2026 Postsecondary State Award winners during the luncheon ceremony.
To learn more about the Commercial Driver’s License Center of Excellence at Mountain Gateway Community College, please visit mgcc.edu or contact MGCC Workforce Solutions coach Robin Jennings at 540-863-2899.
ABOUT MGCC: Founded in 1962 and located in the Alleghany Highlands region of Central Virginia, Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is a two-year public institution of higher education and one of 23 community colleges in Virginia.
Mountain Gateway Community College operates two educational campuses, the Clifton Forge campus and the Rockbridge Regional Center in Buena Vista. MGCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees.
Mountain Gateway Community College is supported by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the counties of Alleghany, Bath, Northern Botetourt, and Rockbridge; the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, and Lexington. For more information about Mountain Gateway Community College, please visit MGCC.edu
