To encourage the expansion of higher education, including adult and continuing education, associate, undergraduate, and graduate degree programs in the region, and foster partnerships between the public and private sectors to enhance higher education in the region; to coordinate the development and delivery of continuing education programs offered by those educational institutions serving the region; to facilitate the delivery of teacher training programs leading to licensure and graduate degrees; to serve as a resource and referral center by maintaining and disseminating information on existing educational programs and resources; and to develop, in coordination with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, specific goals for higher education in Southside Virginia.