MGCC to Launch New Science Degree with Forestry Focus in Fall 2026   Clifton Forge, VA (April 13, 2026) - Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is expanding its academic offerings to better serve students interested in environmental stewardship and conservation. Starting in the Fall of 2026, the college’s highly acclaimed Forestry program will introduce a specialized track within its Science Associate of Science (AS) degree. While this degree provides a broad foundation across STEM fields, this new pathway is specifically geared toward students pursuing a four-year degree in Natural Resources and Forestry. This curriculum was developed in collaboration with Virginia Tech, home to the #1 four-year Forestry program in the United States. The program streamlines the transfer process, allowing students to complete five specific Forestry courses alongside initial mathematics, science, and humanities requirements at MGCC. This preparation ensures students are ready for the rigors of a top-tier university before diving into intensive, major-specific study during their final two years. To further student success and career entry, this new degree qualifies for VCCS G3 funding. This program provides vital financial support after other means of tuition assistance have been exhausted. By reducing financial barriers, MGCC aims to make high-quality STEM education more accessible for students entering the critical fields of conservation and natural resource management. The Science AS degree is designed for completion in four semesters of full-time study. The curriculum is fully configured to support Transfer Virginia Pathways, ensuring a seamless transition to four-year institutions. For more information on the Science AS degree and the Forestry pathway, please visit mgcc.edu. * * * 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 lifton 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. The College’s Forestry Technology program is the only Virginia two-year college accredited by the Society of American Foresters. 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

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