Valencia College is a public college in Orlando, Florida. It was founded in 1967 as Valencia Junior College, taking the name Valencia Community College in 1971. From humble beginnings, Valencia College has become an innovative leader in higher education with a reputation for student success. Whether graduates choose to enter the workforce immediately, transfer to the University of Central Florida through DirectConnect® to UCF or go on to another four-year institution at the baccalaureate level, it is our mission to ensure that they leave with the preparation needed to succeed and a transformative belief in themselves. Notable Highlights Valencia College was named the best community college in the nation as the inaugural winner of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Valencia College’s economic impact on the region is more than $1 billion a year. One out of four UCF graduates started at Valencia College.