Dr. Laura J. Treanor, College President, shared this letter in the annual issue of Impact magazine. See below for more information about Dr. Treanor’s background, including a Q&A to get to know her better. For more updates about Dr. Treanor’s work this year to build connections and foster collaboration, visit virginiawestern.edu/president for ongoing updates.
Since July 1 when I joined Virginia Western as president, my days and heart have been full of learning and gratitude. Countless members of our campus community have shown me what a privilege it is to step into a place where people care deeply about those around them and exhibit that care in tangible acts of hospitality and service.
Our beautiful campus and facilities have provided a perfect backdrop to so many indelible moments already: from walking among the Arboretum’s beautiful blooms, to taking selfies with students on an incredibly joyful first day of fall semester, to sharing time in thoughtful conversations with staff, faculty, board members and community partners.
At our opening session for faculty and staff, I asked everyone in what ways their work aligns with and advances our mission, which is to provide quality educational opportunities that empower students for success and strengthen communities. The excitement and volume of the conversations that ensued after I asked that question was heartwarming. We are indeed a mission-driven campus!
Rapid change is all around us, and we need steady hands and clear minds to adapt to technological development, workforce demands and economic fluctuations. Virginia Western has a track record of spurring innovation and developing community partnerships to establish our role as a trusted partner with business, industry and higher education in the Roanoke region and beyond, and we need to take that to the next level to benefit our students.
We need to foster an environment where creativity sparks workable, innovative ideas. When we encourage our employees to think differently, we ultimately serve our students better. This is one reason I am so thankful for the College’s Innovation Grants. With these, Virginia Western has been able to empower staff and faculty to focus on projects designed to propel our students’ academic learning and career preparedness. By targeting investment in innovation, we will not only adapt to change but lead the way.
Supporting our faculty, staff and students translates to investing in the Roanoke region’s economic and civic well-being. As president, I have the great pleasure of helping to shape this synergy and watching it unfold. Virginia Western spurs our community’s development, and I invite you to join us in forming a bold, future-focused vision that truly serves the best interests of our students and the region.
Sincerely,
Dr. Laura J. Treanor
President, Virginia Western Community College
Welcoming Dr. Treanor
Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, announced in May that he had appointed Dr. Laura J. Treanor to become the fifth president of Virginia Western Community College. Treanor’s selection concluded a search that attracted 61 candidates nationwide.
“Succeeding Dr. Robert Sandel, who has led Virginia Western for more than two decades of transformative service, Dr. Treanor will have a hard act to follow,” Doré said then, “but I am confident that she will build on VWCC’s outstanding history of serving its communities and its diverse student populations.”
Her service as president at Virginia Western began July 1, 2025.
“We are very excited to welcome Dr. Laura Treanor to the Virginia Western and Roanoke Valley communities,” said Virginia Western Local Advisory Board Chair Todd Putney. “Dr. Treanor is an experienced educational leader well-equipped to take the college to new heights in regional workforce development through academic, training and credentialing excellence.”
Meet the President
Dr. Laura J. Treanor
Virginia Western Community College
Progressive leadership experience:
Vincennes University, 2018-2025
Baker College, 2005-2017
Teaching faculty experience:
Roanoke College, 2001-2004
West Virginia University, 1994-2001
Barton College, 1989-1994
Education:
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Curriculum and Instruction, Virginia Tech
Master of Arts, Education, The Ohio State University
Bachelor of Science, Education, Virginia Tech
A Q&A with the College President
What drew you to Virginia Western?
After moving with the Navy, my family settled in Virginia when I was 12. I attended Virginia Tech for both my undergraduate and doctoral degrees and taught at Roanoke College. When I saw the posting for Virginia Western’s president, I jumped at the opportunity to return to Virginia, and the Roanoke region in particular. From the moment I stepped on the campus, Virginia Western’s strengths were clear, and I knew this was the place I wanted to be.
What are you most proud of in your career?
My work that has directly transformed students’ lives: developing strong leaders, building high-impact teams and creating systems and supports that help students thrive. Efforts such as forming strategic partnerships with employers like John Deere, Amazon and Toyota have expanded opportunities for students to succeed in meaningful careers.
What are some of your hobbies?
I engage my mind and have fun through reading, board games and The New York Times word puzzles. I connect with nature and recharge through hiking and searching for beach glass.
Tell us about your family.
My husband, Brian, and I are from big families: I’m the oldest of seven and he’s the youngest of five. With my dad in the Navy, we moved often, and my parents placed a significant emphasis on education. Originally from Canada, Brian’s an avid fly fisherman. Be sure to share your favorite fishing spots with him!
What is a fun fact about you?
I was inducted into my high school hall of fame and still hold several high school sports records, a testament to a competitive spirit that remains very much alive!
What’s a special skill?
I can perfectly proportion whipped cream on dessert or salsa on chips so that it lasts exactly to the final bite.
(This was published in the Winter 2026 edition of Impact magazine, a publication of the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation.)
