S&P raises Sweet Briar’s rating; more …

Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org .

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S&P raises Sweet Briar’s rating

S&P Global has raised the long-term rating of Sweet Briar College from “BB” to “BB+” and noted that the college’s outlook is stable.

This is the seventh time in nine years that S&P has either raised or reaffirmed Sweet Briar’s bond rating, according to a news release from the school. Twice during that time, the agency has raised the college’s outlook.

S&P noted: “Enrollment and selectivity have improved during the past two years with further improvement anticipated in the coming 2024-2025 school year and we view management and governance as providing sufficient oversight of school operations such that if unexpected developments occur the college can quickly pivot and stay on course.”

S&P also noted Sweet Briar’s management, which “continues to make incremental progress in restoring the college’s luster,” its commitment to cybersecurity, its low debt with relatively short remaining amortization, and its overall financial operations.

[Read more about Sweet Briar’s new president .]

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Yancey, Schawbel to speak at annual Economic Forum in Wise

Dan Schawbel, a New York Times bestselling thought leadership and career author, and Dwayne Yancey, Cardinal News’ executive editor, are featured speakers for the Ninth Annual Economic Forum, hosted by the University of Virginia’s College at Wise this month.

The theme for this year’s conference, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 23, is “A Region on the Move.” It will be a hybrid event that participants can attend online or in person.

Schawbel will speak during the forum’s afternoon keynote session. He is the managing partner of Workplace Intelligence, a thought leadership and research agency focused on the world of work, and the author of three career books: “Back to Human,” “Promote Yourself” and “Me 2.0.”

Yancey will make the closing remarks for the conference. He has more than four decades of experience in Virginia journalism, including 39 years with The Roanoke Times as a reporter, editor and editorial page editor. He was inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame and is the author of “When Hell Froze Over,” a book about Virginia politics.

The forum’s morning panel will focus on overcoming barriers to Southwest Virginia’s challenges. The discussion will feature successful initiatives and explore opportunities and intersections across child care, housing, recovery and talent attraction and retention.

The afternoon panel will highlight community-based funding solutions and regional projects and their sponsors.

The forum will be held at the David J. Prior Convocation Center. Registration is required. In-person tickets are $45, and virtual tickets are $25. Registration is open through May 21; walk-ins are welcome. Registration and program details are online .

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Southside Virginia Community College opens new training lab

Southside Virginia Community College has opened its new critical environment training lab at the Lake Country Advanced Knowledge Center in South Hill.

The facility is designed to give students the skills needed to thrive in critical environments, including electrical, mechanical, HVAC and other industrial systems, according to a news release from the college. The lab is part of Microsoft’s Datacenter Academy program, which provided decommissioned equipment and worked with the college on curriculum and certifications.

The first Microsoft Datacenter Academy program was launched in Virginia in 2018. As the first critical environments lab space, the Southside Virginia lab will serve as a pilot project that will be replicated across other Microsoft locations.

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