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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
By Allison Taylor While hundreds of drivers pass the Community Arboretum’s vibrant flower beds on Colonial Avenue each day, and many local families have enjoyed the gardens as a scenic location for weddings, proms, photography sessions and other events, few people may realize how much the be-loved landmark depends on community support to maintain its… Continue Reading Arboretum’s day-to-day operation depends on plant sales
The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) will accept students from Virginia Western Community College who have received an Associate of Science in Business Administration into the UAS Bachelor of Business Administration program. This is designed as a seamless transfer with no loss of college credit.
Making college even more possible, a new program called Alaska Unlocked will begin in fall 2026, allowing all undergraduate students to pay in-state tuition, no matter where they live. Continue Reading Opportunity unlocked for Virginia Western business students through University of Alaska Southeast