Based on the work of the Committee on the Future of the Virginia Community College System and group discussions by 100 representatives of colleges, business/industry, and state bodies, this long-range plan offers guidance for the development of the community college system for the remainder of the century. Following introductory information on the development of the plan and the history and mission of the community colleges in Virginia, the 11 sections of the plan examine: (1) state and national trends in student characteristics and the issues of educational access and affirmative action in student recruitment; (2) curricular concerns, including comprehensiveness, the core of common learning, international studies and foreign languages, lifelong learning, developmental studies, and literacy; (3) the colleges' role in community education, community services, and economic development; (4) partnerships with elementary and secondary schools, four-year institutions, employers, state agencies, and other community colleges; (5) excellence in teaching and the impact of technology on instruction; (6) personnel issues, such as faculty and staff development and renewal, the employment of part-time versus full-time faculty, and affirmative action; (7) marketing and retention programs; (8) space, maintenance, and renovation requirements; (9) financial concerns, including revenue for operations, the appropriation process, distribution of resources, and expenditures; (10) assessment and accountability; and (11) leadership needs. (AYC)