Why I give: A conversation with Russ and Lucy Ellett about family ties
The Ellett family has a long history of service — to the Commonwealth, the Roanoke Valley and, with generational impact, the Virginia Western community. Lucy and her son, Russ, were kind enough to sit down on the patio overlooking their beautiful Deyerle farmland and reflect… Continue Reading Why I give: A conversation with Russ and Lucy Ellett about family tiesRead More
Experience can translate into college credit
Credit for Prior Learning helps nontraditional students accelerate their education with credit for knowledge gained through work and life. By Karenna Glover Over her nearly two decades of caring for 3- and 4-year-olds at daycare, Aleasha Phillips hadn’t really considered college. But a few years… Continue Reading Experience can translate into college credit Read More
CCAP celebrates milestone
By Karenna Glover Throughout high school, Scott Bradford wanted to go to college, but no one in his family had previously attended. He had nowhere to turn for help answering the big questions: What was going to college like? How would he pay for it? … Continue Reading CCAP celebrates milestoneRead More
Virginia Western honors student success while marking 15 years of Community College Access Program
CCAP students Paris Hobbs (left) and Hannah Puskar celebrate Virginia Western’s 15th anniversary of the Community College Access Program at the photo booth on Saturday, Sept. 23. Virginia Western Community College had 15 reasons for a campus-wide celebration Saturday, Sept. 23: the 15th anniversary of… Continue Reading Virginia Western honors student success while marking 15 years of Community College Access ProgramRead More
Virginia Western Nursing Program registers stellar NCLEX-RN pass rates after collaborative plan focused on students
Teamwork is an essential piece of healthcare for patient treatment, but it’s also the key ingredient to get registered nurses in place to care for them. Teamwork, and buy-in from everyone involved in the process ― students, faculty and employers. Virginia Western Community College’s Nursing… Continue Reading Virginia Western Nursing Program registers stellar NCLEX-RN pass rates after collaborative plan focused on studentsRead More
Virginia Western team selected as finalist in national Innovation Challenge
The Appalachian Engineers Team of Virginia Western Community College is one of 12 finalist teams that will advance to the next phase of the Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC) with American Association of Community Colleges and National Science Foundation. Virginia Western students Nikko Maiolo (from… Continue Reading Virginia Western team selected as finalist in national Innovation ChallengeRead More
STEM Goes Red at Virginia Western
The American Heart Association brought the power of STEM to young women in Roanoke on Friday, May 19, on the Virginia Western campus. High school students attend STEM Goes Red at Virginia Western on May 19. “The School of STEM at VWCC is very excited… Continue Reading STEM Goes Red at Virginia WesternRead More
Virginia Western celebrates 2023 Commencement
Students prepare for Virginia Western’s Commencement on Friday, May 12, at the Berglund Center. Virginia Western Community College held its graduation ceremony on Friday, May 12, at the Berglund Center. The ceremony honored graduates from the fall 2022 and spring and summer 2023 semesters. There… Continue Reading Virginia Western celebrates 2023 CommencementRead More
Virginia Western Educational Foundation announces spring 2023 scholarship recipients
Fall 2022 and spring 2023 scholarship recipients were honored Thursday, April 27, 2023, at the Annual Scholarship and Awards Ceremony at Virginia Western. The Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation announces that it awarded $207,406 in general scholarships to 133 students attending the spring 2023… Continue Reading Virginia Western Educational Foundation announces spring 2023 scholarship recipientsRead More
Petrine honored with 2023 Chancellor’s Award for leadership in community college philanthropy
Deborah L. Petrine of Roanoke, Virginia, has received the 17th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. She was nominated for the award by Virginia Western Community College. More than two dozen individuals, families, and organizations have earned the 2023 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in… Continue Reading Petrine honored with 2023 Chancellor’s Award for leadership in community college philanthropyRead More
Recent News
- Free help sessions coming up for scholarship opportunities at Virginia Western March 3, 2026
- Mountain Gateway and Virginia Western Community Colleges partner to expand CDL training February 25, 2026
- Dental Hygiene students represent profession to legislators in Richmond February 12, 2026
- Virginia Western student veterans return from Colorado convention knowing they can ‘make a difference’ February 9, 2026
- Virginia Western uses virtual reality to help students explore career paths February 2, 2026

