Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
ROANOKE — Virginia Western Community College has earned a Gold Status designation for 2026-27 from the Military Friendly Survey following campuswide efforts to support military-affiliated students.
The Military Friendly organization evaluates educational institutions using benchmarks that include graduation, retention, job placement or transfer rates, loan default rates and outcomes for veterans, Guard and Reserve students, dependents, active-duty personnel and military spouses.
To receive a Military Friendly designation, schools must meet at least three benchmarks. Virginia Western achieved Gold Status by meeting five or more benchmarks and qualification percentages compared with other schools in the Large Community College category during this survey cycle. The designation marks an improvement from the college’s Silver Status ranking in 2025-26. Virginia Western also again received designation as a Military Spouse Friendly School.
“The elevation from Military Friendly Silver to Gold status reflects a focused, student-first approach to serving our veteran and military connected community,” said Brandon Snead, VERITAS veteran liaison at Virginia Western and a U.S. Air Force veteran.
Snead said the college implemented new and improved processes over the past year that reduced certification wait times for students using Veterans Affairs benefits while also expanding outreach efforts to better connect with service members and veterans.
He also credited the student work-study team at the Military Student Center for helping create a more efficient and welcoming environment.
“At the Military Student Center, we are constantly looking for ways to grow and improve — from introducing loaner calculators to expanding our coffee bar — all with the goal of removing barriers and creating a space where our military-affiliated students can truly thrive,” Snead said.
The Military Student Center held a celebration May 5 to recognize the outreach efforts that contributed to the Gold Status designation.
For more information about the Military Student Center, contact Snead at bsnead@virginiawestern.edu.
