Submarine Parts Displayed on IALR Campus

These major components of decorated, decommissioned Los Angeles-Class nuclear-powered attack submarines testify to the important training and technology validation happening at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). The sail of the Ex-USS Buffalo (SSN 715) stands in the middle of a fountain feature, and the rudder of the Ex-USS Providence (SSN 719) is part of a sundial.

Leadership Southside

Five IALR employees are participating in Leadership Southside, a professional development program offered through the Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce.

President Telly Tucker Named to Virginia 500 Power List

This is IALR President Telly Tucker’s seventh consecutive year being named to the Virginia 500, which recognizes many of the Commonwealth’s most influential leaders across 21 sectors.

Podcast: an ATDM Alumni Success Story

As a single mom, Carrie Williams wanted one thing above all else: the ability to better provide for her children. The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program at IALR provided her that opportunity in just four months, setting her up for a successful NDT career in the submarine industrial base.

Listen to Her ATDM Story

Featured Opportunity: IALR Careers

IALR continues to mature and scale existing programs and develop and implement new initiatives that drive economic transformation in Southern Virginia and beyond. To accomplish this mission, the team continues to grow! We are hiring for a variety of open positions across our different programs and focus areas. Employees receive competitive pay and benefits, growth opportunities and a collaborative culture.

Work at IALR

From IALR Leaders

"Our goal is to help move manufacturers forward to create things in a quicker, safer and cheaper manner. We can help them do that with technology, people (workforce training) or process improvements. Most likely, it's all three of those things together."

- Joshua Sims, Vice President, Partnerships, IALR

Events and Opportunities

Come see our programs and impact up close during an engaging public tour! We have a tour scheduled from 4-5 p.m. on Sept. 24 with more fall tour dates expected to drop soon.
There’s still an opportunity to showcase your organization to thousands of middle and high school students at the 2026 Career ChoICE Youth Expo. The exhibiter registration deadline is Sept. 23.
The annual Southern Virginia Regional Housing Summit is back! Organized by the Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism and hosted by IALR, this full-day event on Oct. 8 will feature presentations on state and federal funding options, regional opportunities for development and an exhibit hall.
The Southern Piedmont Technology Council is hosting its annual Innovation Stars Awards Banquet on Oct. 27!
A free healthcare-focused family engagement event, the Healthy Island event on Nov. 5 will include giveaways and activity stations.

Watch Updates from IALR

IALR Updates: We're busy collaborating, supporting, and driving impact.

In Other News

A cohort of 17 welding students graduated from the ATDM program on Aug. 21.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine spent an August day touring the IALR campus, getting a close-up view of the ATDM and Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC) programs as well as the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence.
Katie Frazier, Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, recently toured all the offerings of the IALR applied research division, including the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center.
Several IALR staffers attended the Defense Industrial Base Accelerator conference, sharing the value that ATDM and the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) can provide to manufacturers.
The Integrated Machining Technology (IMT) program, a capstone-style experience developed by Danville Community College and delivered in partnership with IALR to prepare students for high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing, welcomed its 12th cohort.

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