Regional Structure

CCI is a highly-connected network that engages higher education institutions, industry, and government, along with non-governmental and economic development organizations. It connects four regional nodes across Virginia, each led by a higher education institution, with the coordinating hub located in Arlington, Virginia.
The four Regional Nodes encompass Central Virginia, Coastal Virginia, Northern Virginia, and Southwest Virginia, are vibrant centers of research, learning, and innovation tailored to their local ecosystem.
The hub is the core of the network. It coordinates programs, supports the entire network, and houses strong research capabilities that provide a platform for research and innovation growth across the network.
The Regional Nodes are each led by a public institution of higher education and engage industry, local government, and community colleges and universities in their region. Together, the CCI Network engages 41 institutions of higher education.
Lead:
Virginia Commonwealth University
Learn more about CCI Central Virginia.
Director:
Erdem Topsakal
Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Higher Education Partners:
- Brightpont Community College (previously John Tyler Community College)
- Longwood University
- Piedmont VA Community College
- Reynolds Community College
- University of Virginia
- Virginia State University
- Virginia Union University
Lead:
Old Dominion University
Learn more about CCI Coastal Virginia.
Director:
Brian Payne
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Higher Education Partners:
- Christopher Newport University
- College of William and Mary
- ECPI
- Norfolk State
- Paul D. Camp Community College
- Regent University
- Peninsula Community College (previously Thomas Nelson Community College)
- Tidewater Community College
Lead:
George Mason University
Learn more about CCI Northern Virginia.
Director:
Liza Wilson Durant
Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement
Higher Education Partners:
Lead:
Virginia Tech
Learn More about CCI Southwest Virginia
Director:
Gretchen Matthews
Professor, Mathematics
Higher Education Partners
- Danville Community College
- Liberty University
- Mountain Empire Community College
- New River Community College
- Patrick and Henry Community College
- Radford University
- Southwest Virginia Community College
- The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research New College Institute
- University of Virginia at Wise
- Virginia Highlands Community College
- Virginia Military Institute
- Virginia Western Community College
- Wytheville Community College