Dental Hygiene students represent profession to legislators in Richmond

February 12, 2026
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Virginia Western Community College’s Dental Hygiene Program exists “to empower students to become ethical, self-directed primary care providers.” Students in the program lived out that mission even before graduation by uniting at a Rally Day in Virginia’s General Assembly to advocate for their profession and patients.

“Rally Day was an exceptional educational and professional experience for both our students and faculty,” said Joanie Bryant, Registered Dental Hygienist and Virginia Western Dental Hygiene faculty member. Continue Reading Dental Hygiene students represent profession to legislators in Richmond

Virginia Western student veterans return from Colorado convention knowing they can ‘make a difference’

February 9, 2026
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Supporting military-connected students at Virginia Western Community College can extend far beyond the Roanoke Valley’s borders. Three student veterans journeyed to Colorado in January for a valuable opportunity for networking and personal growth.

The Student Veterans of America National Conference, known as NatCon, is the largest gathering of student veterans globally. Virginia Western counts among over 1,600 campuses across the U.S. and abroad with SVA chapters. The 18th Annual NatCon took place Jan. 8-10, 2026, at The Broadmoor Resort and Convention Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Continue Reading Virginia Western student veterans return from Colorado convention knowing they can ‘make a difference’

Virginia Western uses virtual reality to help students explore career paths 

February 2, 2026
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Gamification is greater than old-fashioned career assessments.  That’s the theory behind Virginia Western Community College’s latest outreach through the Hall Associates Career Center, which is using virtual reality headsets to give students a preview of jobs that might interest them.  Dr. David Porter, Career Center Manager, began work in his post this academic year and was looking… Continue Reading Virginia Western uses virtual reality to help students explore career paths 

Virginia Western issues call for nominations for 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award

January 20, 2026
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The Virginia Western Educational Foundation and the Virginia Western Alumni Association are calling for nominations for the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award. The annual recipient or recipients will receive the award at a special Scholarship Awards Ceremony in the spring, and a plaque will be placed on the Virginia Western Distinguished Alumni Wall outside Whitman Theatre.… Continue Reading Virginia Western issues call for nominations for 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award

A letter from the College President: Innovation serves our community

January 5, 2026
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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… Continue Reading A letter from the College President: Innovation serves our community

Digital archives preserve Virginia Western’s past

December 29, 2025
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Yearbooks, newspapers and catalogs from throughout Virginia Western’s nearly 60-year history have been digitized and are now available to search, view and share. As part of a collaborative project with the Library of Virginia in Richmond, the College was able to digitize the collection that the campus library had archived through the years. Continue Reading Digital archives preserve Virginia Western’s past

Altec internship proves key piece of engineer’s academic journey

December 22, 2025
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By Karenna Glover For as long as he can remember, Kevin Austin has always been a mathematical, analytical thinker. As a student at James River High School, Austin attended the Botetourt Technical Education Center (BTEC), and that’s where he connected his problem-solving mindset to a career path. “I look at any situation through the analytical… Continue Reading Altec internship proves key piece of engineer’s academic journey

Support propels career in Surgical Technology

December 15, 2025
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By Allison Taylor Onaca Umak had originally planned to study nursing at Virginia Western, but after applying to the program, she learned she was missing a prerequisite course. That was far from the end of her healthcare education at the College, however. Guided by her academic advisor and inspired by the TV show, “Grey’s Anatomy,”… Continue Reading Support propels career in Surgical Technology

Virginia Western’s CCAP accepting applications through February 1

December 11, 2025
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Thanks to the private-public community partnership that funds the Community College Access Program (CCAP), 484 students are attending Virginia Western Community College tuition-free this fall. Since 2008, public localities and private donors have united in support of CCAP, which is the largest “free college” program at a Virginia community college. CCAP provides up to two… Continue Reading Virginia Western’s CCAP accepting applications through February 1

Steel Dynamics partnership empowers apprentices

December 10, 2025
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A hydroponics system was brought to life by Timothy Boyd and Daniel Moran, two students in the College’s Mechatronics program, and sponsored apprentices at Steel Dynamics Roanoke Bar Division (SDI). Their work highlights a growing collaboration between the College and SDI, as well as a larger shift to blend technical training with agriculture innovation, giving students the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly automated workforce. Continue Reading Steel Dynamics partnership empowers apprentices