Spotlight: Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center
The Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center is where hands-on career skills meet real-world opportunity in Winchester, Virginia.
This cutting-edge career and technical education hub is transforming how students and community members prepare for today’s workforce. Located in a beautifully renovated 54,000-square-foot facility, the Center blends academic learning with immersive, project-based training across Advanced Technologies, Professional Skills, and Health Sciences — from cybersecurity and fabrication to welding and clinical simulation labs. (VMDO Architects)
What makes this space truly forward-thinking is its industry-aligned design, developed in partnership with Laurel Ridge Community College and local employers, giving learners access to real tools and mentors that mirror modern workplaces.
New Drone Zone Approved!
We often pay attention the autonomous news thanks to our partner NCAT (National Center for Autonomous Technologies, and thought of them when we read this:
“Thanks to recent FAA approval, the Innovation Center now features a designated drone flight zone, where students and community members can safely fly without Remote ID gear as long as pilots remain within visual line of sight.” This opens up exciting new possibilities for UAS/aviation learning and community engagement in the Shenandoah Valley. (The River 95.3)
You can also learn more about this school site: Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center.