Virginia State University

Virginia State University is a public historically Black land-grant university located in Ettrick, Virginia, near Petersburg and about 23 miles south of Richmond. Founded in 1882, it is one of Virginia’s two land-grant institutions. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across colleges that focus on business, education, engineering and technology, agriculture, natural sciences, and the humanities. Virginia State University has a longstanding mission of expanding access to higher education, particularly for African American students, while serving a diverse student population. Its academic programs emphasize professional preparation, research, and community engagement, attracting students interested in applied learning and public service careers.

Virginia State University was founded on March 6, 1882, when the Virginia General Assembly chartered the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute to educate African American teachers. Located in Ettrick, Virginia, near Petersburg, the institution opened in 1883 with 126 students and seven faculty members. John Mercer Langston served as the first president. In the early 20th century, the school expanded its curriculum beyond teacher training and became the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute. It was later renamed Virginia State College for Negroes and then Virginia State College as academic offerings broadened. In 1979, the legislature granted the institution its present name, Virginia State University, reflecting its expanded graduate programs and research role. Today, Virginia State University continues its land-grant mission, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees while maintaining its historical commitment to access and public service.