Skip to main content
Dr. John Capps walking with four students

 John CappsDr. John Capps

Welcome to Central Virginia Community College (CVCC)! Our aim is to make your educational journey accessible, affordable, and enriching. Whether you're striving for a bachelor's degree or seeking technical expertise to boost your career, CVCC is committed to helping you achieve your goals.

CVCC’s array of offerings include college-transfer programs that guarantee admission for qualifying students to four-year institutions, career and technical programs to prepare you for employment, and diverse continuing education options for personal growth and professional advancement. The flexibility of studying at multiple locations—our main campus in Lynchburg or our satellite centers in Amherst, Campbell County, Appomattox, and Bedford—allows you to pursue your education at your convenience, be it during the day, evening, or anytime online.

What truly sets CVCC apart is our devoted community of faculty, staff, and administrators who are committed to your success. Beyond this, our most outstanding feature is our dedication to supporting every student. We're here to assist you in finding the right path for your goals, as well as uncovering financial aid and scholarship opportunities that make attaining a college degree feasible and in many cases debt free. For these reasons, I encourage you to reach out, visit us, and discover firsthand our exceptional academic programs and student services. 

At CVCC, you'll find an environment where your educational ambitions are embraced and championed. We're not just an institution; we're your partners in realizing your dreams.

Yes, you can start your future at CVCC!

About the President

Dr. John Capps is CVCC’s seventh president, having joined the college in March 2011. Dr. Capps brings to the office over forty years of experience in higher education, including service as an interim president, vice president of Institutional Advancement, dean, program head, and professor of English. A native of Austin, Texas, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and his doctorate in education – all from Virginia Tech.

Dr. Capps has been recognized for many accomplishments over the years, among the most noteworthy being his work to implement the Lynchburg City Schools Early College Program, the Great Expectations Program for foster youth, and the Lynchburg Regional Governor’s STEM Academy. Under his leadership, in 2016, CVCC was one of only 44 institutions selected by the U. S. Department of Education as an experimental site for awarding Pell Grants to high school students. 

Dr. Capps is actively involved in the community having served on multiple boards, including the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, United Way, Goodwill Industries, the Lynchburg City Schools Education Foundation, the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority, the Central Virginia Workforce Development Board, Beacon of Hope, the GO Virginia Region 2 Council, and the Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement. He has also served as a trustee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Dr. Capps is the father of two – Ryan and Elizabeth – and is a grandfather to Claire, Spencer, and Mary. He and his wife, Sarah, who is also an English professor, live in Bedford.