History
To serve the racially segregated public schools in the coal camps, progressive citizens of both races worked together to establish Bluefield Colored Institute, a “high graded school for Negroes,” in 1895. The institution thereafter evolved into a black teacher’s college, adopting formal teacher training in 1909 and was renamed “Bluefield State Teachers College” in 1931. The name “Bluefield State College” was adopted in 1943, reflecting a growth in the number and diversity of the institution’s academic programs.
Bluefield State College was integrated after 1954. By the 1960s, the College had a comprehensive four-year program of teacher education, arts and sciences, and engineering technology. Gradually, a variety of two-year technical programs evolved in response to local needs.
Bluefield State College has emerged as a four-year state supported college with a primary academic emphasis in professional and technical programs. The liberal arts offerings of the College are designed to enhance its unique mission.
Mission Statement
The mission of Bluefield State College is to provide students an affordable, accessible opportunity for public higher education. A historically black institution, Bluefield State College prepares students for diverse professions, graduate study, informed citizenship, community involvement, and public service in an ever-changing global society. The College demonstrates its commitment to the student’s intellectual, personal, ethical, and cultural development by providing a dedicated faculty and staff, quality educational programs, and strong student support services in a nurturing environment.
Vision Statement
Bluefield State College is committed to being the region’s leading institution of higher education. Embracing the diversity that shapes our world, the College strives to assist students from all walks of life to achieve their personal and professional goals. Using the expertise of faculty and staff, along with the commitment of its students and alumni, Bluefield State College will continue to strive for excellence in learning, service to the community, and advancements in research. Proficiency in these areas enables the institution and its graduates to make important contributions at the community, state, national, and global levels.
Bluefield State College provides a diverse range of curricular and co-curricular interactive opportunities to its students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community. The College builds toward the future with continued emphasis on recruiting and retaining motivated students and highly credentialed faculty and staff; achieving university status; offering Master’s level programs; and expanding its programmatic offerings through distance education initiatives.
Core Value Statements
Excellence - We value and are dedicated to excellence in our faculty, staff, and students, programmatic offerings, support services, research, and service to our world.
Community - We value and are dedicated to the development and enhancement of a sense of community, mutual respect, and collaboration among our faculty, staff, students, and the greater community we serve.
Diversity - We value and are dedicated to the diversity of our faculty, staff, and students, programmatic offerings, and co- curricular opportunities.
Growth - We value and are dedicated to the intellectual, personal, ethical, and cultural growth of our faculty, staff, and students and to providing those opportunities for growth and continuous improvement throughout our community.
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