By forming solid relationships with regional high schools, technical schools, institutions of higher learning, and the workforce, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College has developed a strong presence in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle. The school has seen a remarkable evolution since its unofficial inception in 1972, when Shepherd College began offering two-year programs. Shepherd Community College officially began when the nursing department became the first two-year program to be adopted by Shepherd. In 1989, at the request of the West Virginia State Board of Directors, the Community and Technical College named its first Dean, Dr. Peter Checkovich. He was later named Provost and in 2004 became President of the Community and Technical College (CTC) of Shepherd.

CTC Shepherd was located on the basement floor of a residence hall, Gardiner, on the Shepherd College campus in Shepherdstown until August 2001. Meanwhile, the Martinsburg City Council contacted college officials about the possibility of bringing the Community and Technical College to Martinsburg. The City Council offered a grant for the college to relocate and offered to help the college find a suitable location. The site selected was the former Blue Ridge Outlet buildings. The City Council’s offer, along with the location of the building, was presented to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission in the fall of 2000 and the move to Martinsburg was approved. The renovation of the Berkeley Building of the former Blue Ridge Outlet Complex began in June 2001 and classes began at the Community and Technical College on August 20, 2001. In early 2002, the Berkeley County Commissioners finalized the purchase of the Blue Ridge Outlets complex and negotiations resulted in the May 2003 relocation of the CTC Shepherd to the newly renovated Dunn Building. In March 2005, CTC Shepherd was accredited as an independent institution by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA). As of July 1, 2006, the Community and Technical College of Shepherd was officially renamed Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College began an extensive self-study process in 2006 to prepare for the HLC comprehensive evaluation in October 2009. A significant part of the Self-Study effort is the preparation of a Self-Study Report which demonstrates that Blue Ridge CTC should be accredited. Blue Ridge CTC received ten year accreditation in Spring 2010.

The Dunn Building housed Blue Ridge Community and Technical College from 2003 – 2012 and accommodated the rapidly growing population. As enrollment continued to climb, College officials quickly recognized the need for a new headquarters building. In Fall of 2009, the College purchased 46 acres on Route 45 in Martinsburg, which now houses the new main campus. Construction began Fall of 2010 and the beautiful new campus was completed during the Spring of 2012.  The 55,000 square foot building offers 18 classrooms, additional parking, and an on campus service to the student body. The gorgeous new building is a welcomed addition to the scenery and backdrop within Berkeley County, West Virginia and will easily serve the thousands of students to come.