Victoria College (VC) announced a plan to evolve its presence in Gonzales in July 2026 with a revised model that prioritizes student flexibility and high-demand career training for the local workforce.
“Our commitment to the Gonzales community is as strong today as it was when we opened the Gonzales Center in 2007,” said VC President Dr. Jennifer Kent. “We are pivoting our model to remove barriers for Gonzales-area students and to prioritize high-demand workforce training.”
VC will continue to offer workforce training in Gonzales—including truck driving; welding; heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration; electrical; plumbing; nurse aide; medical assisting; and pharmacy technician—with the flexibility to expand into new training areas as local needs arise. Adult Basic Education—including GED preparation and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes—will continue to be offered at no cost to Gonzales residents.
Degree-seeking students will transition from Interactive Television (ITV)-based courses—which require physical attendance at the Gonzales Center—to flexible online instruction. This change addresses the growing student preference for “anywhere” access.
The revised model follows a decade of changing enrollment patterns. Over the last ten years, VC has seen a significant decrease in enrollment in traditional college courses at VC’s Gonzales Center, while enrollment in workforce classes has remained steady.
Gonzales students will continue to have access to advising, financial aid, testing, and tutoring. A laptop checkout program will also be launched to ensure all students have the technology needed to succeed.
Additionally, scholarships totaling more than $300,000 have been designated through the VC Foundation specifically for Gonzales-area students.
“We recognize that cost can be a substantial barrier to students’ education, and we are fortunate to have local community members and foundations partnering with us to ease the financial burden to students,” said Kent.
Positions at the Gonzales Center will include a site coordinator, recruiter, administrative assistant, and Continuing Education instructors.
With enrollment in local Vocational Nursing Programs decreasing over the past several years, VC will consolidate the program in Gonzales with the program in Hallettsville while maintaining clinical sites in Gonzales.
“Maintaining two separate programs with low enrollment is no longer viable,” said Kent. “We recognized that combining the two programs was essential to continue supplying skilled nurses for the region.”
To help ease the transition, the VC Foundation has established travel stipends to support Gonzales nursing students who will be commuting to Hallettsville for classes.
VC has also committed to using sizeable grant funds to upgrade and modify facilities, and college leaders are working with City of Gonzales officials to ensure VC’s physical presence aligns with the future needs of the community.
“In all the meetings I’ve been a part of with local leaders and employers, it is evident that Gonzales is a beloved community with a rich history and a bright future,” said Kent. “As an educational entity, it is our responsibility to change with the times and prepare students for the good jobs that are being brought to the region through the efforts of the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation, the City of Gonzales, and Gonzales County.”