Bow Valley College is a public, board-governed college operating as a comprehensive community institution under the Post-Secondary Learning Act of Alberta. The branch campuses are: Airdrie, Banff, Canmore, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks, and Strathmore. Bow Valley College is a member of the Alberta Rural Development Network and Colleges and Institutes Canada. The college offers year-round career programs that lead to certificates, diplomas, and post-diploma certificates, as well as adult upgrading and English language learning. They also offer career services and specialized services that help newcomers to Canada. Programs The college offers academic programs in a variety of areas including career training, university transfer courses, adult upgrading, and English language learning. The college is divided into seven specialized schools: The Chiu School of Business offers training in business and health administration. The School of Continuing Learning administers the college's professional development ("continuing education") programming and open studies courses. The School of Community Studies provides programs in social services, education and early learning, justice, and community services. The School of Technology offers education in information technology and design. The School of Foundational Learning provides adult high school upgrading, basic literacy programs, and workplace training. The School of Global Access is the college's hub for English language learning, services and programs for newcomers to Canada, and inter-cultural learning. The School of Health and Wellness offers studies towards careers as a healthcare aide, nurse, pharmacy technician, and more. History It was founded as the Alberta Vocational Centre in 1965. Since 1972, it has been located on 3rd Street and 6th Avenue Southeast in Calgary and continues to expand its footprint between downtown Calgary and the city's East Village. In 1998, the college transitioned from a government-administered model to an autonomous, board-governed public college and adopted the name Bow Valley College to reflect the region (the Bow Valley) which the college serves. Facilities In May 2013, the college unveiled its new South Campus building on 6th Avenue Southeast. The South Campus building hosts the Calgary operations of Athabasca University, Olds College Fashion Institute, and the University of Lethbridge. Beyond downtown Calgary, the college operates smaller campuses in the communities of Airdrie, Banff, Canmore, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks, and Strathmore, and offers academic and career education on a number of the region's Indigenous nations. Scholarships Bow Valley College joined Project Hero, a scholarship program cofounded by General (Ret'd) Rick Hillier for the families of fallen Canadian