Â鶹ӰԺ’s Nursing Program is positioned for the future, achieving Continuing Accreditation status through 2032.

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) bestowed the designation on the Associate of Applied Science degree program in April and notified the College in May following an extensive process.

ACEN did not mark any stipulations on Virginia Western’s accreditation status, and the organization has scheduled the next evaluation visit for fall 2032.

“The program’s achievement of Continued Accreditation demonstrates the dedication of the faculty and staff of the program. This amazing accomplishment could not have been achieved without the hard work of those individuals and the support of the college’s president and administration,” said Dr. Kelley Pennell, Coordinator of Nursing at Virginia Western, who oversees the Associate of Applied Science (AAS, prelicensure-RN) Nursing Program.

The Nursing Program has continued to see stellar results for its AAS graduates, who must pass the National Council Licensure Examination to become registered nurses. The 2024 AAS cohort achieved a 100% pass rate on first attempt for the NCLEX-RN. The national average of graduates from associate degree programs passing the NCLEX-RN on first attempt was 90.6% in 2024.

This was the second consecutive year that program graduates registered 100% success, after nursing faculty initiated a coaching program that started improving scores drastically in 2022. This year’s program graduates are taking the NCLEX this summer, and results will become official in January 2026.

“Earning continued accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing allows Â鶹ӰԺ’s Nursing Program to continue to serve the students and community with an excellent, quality-driven program,” said Pennell. “I am honored to work with such an amazing group of individuals who are so dedicated to student success.”

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Â鶹ӰԺ has been recognized with a Silver Designation during assessment by the .

In the 2025-2026 survey cycle, Virginia Western received the award or rank of Friendly, with Silver Status, in the Large Community College category. The College also has been designated as a Military Spouse Friendly School.

Â鶹ӰԺ’s decision to pursue the Military Friendly designation was driven by a deep commitment to serving those who serve. The initiative was spearheaded by Dr. Jolene Hamm, Associate Vice President for the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, which compiled large amounts of data the survey required.

“Virginia Western has long provided valuable educational and career pathways for veterans, active-duty service members, and military families,” said Hamm. “Seeking this designation was a natural next step to formally recognize and enhance the support we already offer.”

The Military Friendly Schools survey is the longest-running, most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students, according to the Military Friendly organization. The survey has 2,693 schools currently participating.

By applying for and earning the Military Friendly designation, Virginia Western affirms its dedication to creating a welcoming, accessible and resource-rich environment tailored to the needs of the military community.

“At our Military Student Center, support goes beyond the classroom,” said Brandon Snead, a U.S. Air Force veteran who serves as VERITAS Veteran Liaison at Virginia Western. “We offer tailored academic advising, help students navigate their VA benefits, and provide certification assistance to keep them on track toward their goals. Priority registration ensures they get the classes they need, and our success coaching helps them stay focused and confident. Most importantly, we believe in giving back — through events and programming that build community and show our appreciation for their service.”

In the most recent data snapshot available, Virginia Western had 225 military students and 461 military spouses or dependents enrolled. This represents 8% of the institution’s total enrollment. To serve those students most effectively, resources are provided through the Military Student Center on campus.

“I have personally found that the Military Student Center has helped provide a calm and accommodating study space that helps enable me to work on school projects, with free coffee and snacks on hand to keep me focused and on track with my studies,” said Robert “Tyler” Johnson, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who is a student in the Dental Hygiene Program. “I have found that any question I have regarding classes or taxes is answered quickly by the student liaison.”

Earning the Military Friendly designation is more than just a title — it reflects the College’s commitment to supporting the men and women who serve, as well as their families. For active-duty members, veterans, and military spouses, this recognition provides assurance that our organization understands the unique challenges of military life, from frequent relocations to deployment demands.

“The Military Student Center has been such a great place to relax and complete schoolwork when needed,” said Elena Dudley, a military spouse and Business Administration student. “The computers are always up to date and ready to use. I also enjoy that there is a separate room available for a quieter environment to complete necessary work.”

For more information about the Military Student Center, contact Brandon Snead at bsnead@virginiawestern.edu.

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Roanoke increasingly gains recognition for the valley’s natural beauty and outdoors recreational opportunities. At the same time, public art displays can be spotted around town more often in recent years.

Now, Â鶹ӰԺ has an added element that ties together these trends and simultaneously elevates campus aesthetics: a new mural on the side of Chapman Hall.

Virginia Western commissioned , an artist and graphic designer who is a Visual Design Program alumnus from the class of 2011, to create the mural, which combines serene outdoors locations and a glimpse of campus scenery through the STEM Building, the College’s newest facility that opened in 2019.

The mural measures approximately 20 feet wide by 10 feet high. Landmarks flow from one edge to the other, framed by lush foliage with a cohesive blend of colors.

“There are so many incredible places in and around Roanoke. As an avid outdoorsman, I’ve explored much of this part of Virginia. The old mountains, deep rivers, and quiet valleys are a big part of what keeps me here,” Thrasher said. “Whether I’m hiking McAfee Knob, paddling the river, or riding my motorcycle up Mill Mountain, I’m always in awe, and acutely aware of how lucky we are to live in a place with such beautiful nature and accepting community. The mural’s landscape is a patchwork of local spots that have left a lasting impression on me, stitched together to create something that feels both familiar and expansive.”

Thrasher describes himself as multidisciplinary artist, designer, photographer, and woodworker with a background that bridges both fine art and commercial design. He works on the design team at Carilion Clinic and takes on personal design and illustration projects.

“Since my time at Virginia Western, I’ve worked on everything from paintings and digital illustrations to branding and large-scale murals,” he said. “I love using art to tell stories, whether they’re based in real places or imagined worlds.”

Creating a mural for the College brings elements of Thrasher’s career full circle.

“Virginia Western was foundational for me. It was the first time seeing a path for creativity that could actually provide a regular income,” Thrasher said. “The faculty encouraged curiosity, experimentation, and professionalism. They gave me the groundwork I needed to build a career that’s spanned advertising, health care, and the arts.

“I still look back on my time there as a pivotal chapter in my development, both creatively and personally. The relationships that I developed with faculty and peers at Virginia Western directly guided my career and helped me leapfrog to where I am today.”

Virginia Western is no longer a best-kept secret, just like the Roanoke Valley’s natural resources are finally being realized as a tremendous asset. The mural’s placement is just steps away from the Community Arboretum, a beautiful and somewhat hidden outdoor setting to enjoy nature within the city.

Just as the path alongside the mural leads into a main artery of student life, Chapman Hall serves as the entryway to students’ academic journeys, containing the enrollment center, financial aid, advising and more services to get started at Virginia Western.

It’s a fitting spot for a portal into nature-inspired reflection.

Want help finding the mural in person? Find parking lot 9 and “C” for Chapman Hall in the lower left of Virginia Western’s campus map.

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The Â鶹ӰԺ Educational Foundation has reached its initial $15 million fundraising goal for an unrestricted endowment fund, known as the Virginia Western Forward Fund: a vision of Dr. Charles W. Steger, Jr., which will support the College’s long-range strategic goals and positively impact generations of students.  

This achievement highlighted a range of institutional achievements and honors announced at a gala event Saturday, June 14, celebrating Dr. Robert H. “Bobby” Sandel’s educational legacy as he retires after 24 years as president of Â鶹ӰԺ. 

Virginia Western Educational Foundation Board Chair Deborah Petrine announced the successful launch of the Virginia Western Forward Fund. “The fund is designed to support initiatives, purposes and projects that strategically move Â鶹ӰԺ forward in a manner consistent with long-term strategic mission and goals, for the benefit of the College’s service region, stakeholders and constituencies in the greater Roanoke Valley region,” Petrine told attendees at Saturday’s gala event, “A Legacy of Vision,” held at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. 

The Forward Fund originated in the mind of the late Dr. Charles Steger, who chaired the Virginia Western Educational Foundation Board of Directors following his retirement from Virginia Tech’s presidency. In 2016, Steger pinpointed the opportunities that an unrestricted endowment could unlock. “The Board connected with Charles’ vision and Bobby’s leadership and set a goal of $15 million,” Petrine said, with the first gifts to the fund made in 2017. Petrine noted such a fund is rare among community colleges. 

Previous to this effort, the majority of the Educational Foundation’s funds contained specific donor restrictions benefiting scholarships, which had been the main focus of fundraising efforts.  

The Forward Fund announcement capped a night of tributes and other honors for President Sandel: 

• Dr. David Doré, chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, announced that the Virginia Western Local Advisory Board has nominated Sandel for status as President Emeritus. This nomination will be considered by the State Board for Community Colleges upon Sandel’s retirement. 
   
• Heywood Fralin, chair of the Educational Foundation Board’s Nominating Committee, revealed a $1 million gift made by George W. Logan to name the Dr. Robert H. Sandel Center for Information Technology in the Hall Family Center for Business Science.  
   
• Edwin C. Hall, Foundation Board director emeritus, active assignment, shared that thanks to the generosity of the gala’s guests, the Dr. Robert H. Sandel Endowed Scholarship initially launched by the Newbern Foundation has been fully funded. This scholarship, which will be awarded beginning in fall 2028, will provide assistance for tuition, books and fees for a student enrolled in at least six credits per semester. Applicants must possess a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA, and priority will be given to students demonstrating financial need. 

• Roanoke Mayor Joe Cobb issued a City of Roanoke Proclamation naming June 14, 2025, as Dr. Robert H. Sandel Day. In acknowledgement of Sandel’s integral role in redesigning Colonial Avenue to increase student safety while creating a beautiful educational corridor, Cobb announced the naming of the intersection of Colonial Avenue and McNeil Drive as Sandel Circle. 

The gala concluded with a toast thanking Sandel for his integrity, professional excellence and the deep care he has demonstrated for all who learn and grow in this community. 

Philanthropy Director Amanda Mansfield said the event achieved its goal of highlighting his career contributions and the Forward Fund, which will build on Sandel’s legacy of innovation. “When the endowment matures, we’re excited about creative ways to serve and have increased flexibility to be responsive to the community’s changing needs,” she said, such as funding new equipment, starting new educational and training programs, designing initiatives, and staying in step with local business and industry.  

“By creating and growing a permanent endowment to sustain and foster innovation now and in perpetuity, Virginia Western is fulfilling its mission, proud of the faith placed in the role of the community college to elevate, enrich and energize social mobility and economic development,” Mansfield said. Fundraising for the endowment, which is designed to permanently generate at least $1 million per year in annual income, will continue. 

The Â鶹ӰԺ Educational Foundation assists students in and out of the classroom as they balance their educational goals and real-life demands. Links to support the initiatives listed above, as well as other opportunities to aid future students, may be found online through . 

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In addition, Edwin “Ed” C. Hall has moved to Director Emeriti status, on special assignment. David Dantzler will serve as Chair of the Scholarship and Foundation Grants Committee, and Joseph Gaither joins the Foundation board as an at-large member.   

The Educational Foundation’s volunteer board leads the nonprofit organization in raising support for Virginia Western’s Community College Access Program, the Virginia Western Forward Fund unrestricted endowment, and other student and faculty support. 

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Â鶹ӰԺ has granted emeritus designation to three longtime faculty and staff members, who were honored at a reception May 8 and recognized at Commencement on May 9.

Donna Abbatello, Faculty Emeritus

Donna Abbatello dedicated 50 years to education, including 13 years in the West Virginia school system, 12 years as an adjunct faculty member and 25 years as a full-time faculty member at Virginia Western. Donna was Program Head for Administrative Management Technology, Health Information Technology and Paralegal Studies between 2005 and 2008, when she retired from her full-time role as Assistant Professor. Many times, she witnessed students’ faces fill with satisfaction when they realized they had accomplished a difficult task such as earning nationally and internationally recognized credentials. The opportunity to work with professionals who truly cared about student success is a gift Donna truly cherishes.

Renee Johnson, Staff Emeritus

Renee Johnson started attending Virginia Western in 2006 after her 21-year career as a flight attendant. While raising her two children, she obtained two associate degrees. She worked part time in Business, Technology and Trades, Human Resources, Advising and the Hall Associates Career Center before starting full time in the Enrollment Center, from which she retired as Enrollment Center Specialist in 2023. During her 17 years at Western, she strived to be knowledgeable about the College to best assist not only students but her colleagues. Virginia Western will always hold a special place in Renee’s heart, as she met and married her husband, Johnny, at the College.

Mike Shelton, Administrative and Professional Faculty Emeritus

Mike Shelton served 33 years at Virginia Western, retiring in 2015 as Associate Vice President for Human Resources, and serving as interim in that role in 2024. Previous time as a local government administrator gave him a broad background, and strong interpersonal relationships across campus helped him advance programs beneficial for work/life balance. During his tenure, Virginia Western Human Resources was nominated for “excellence in service” by the International Public Management Association-Human Resources and received the highest award for the small agency category. Mike found it gratifying to work in an environment that promoted “doing the right things, not just doing things right.”

Additionally, Dr. Annemarie Carroll served as Faculty Marshal, leading the academic procession at Commencement.

Dr. Annemarie Carroll, 2025 Faculty Marshal

Dr. Annemarie Carroll retired from Virginia Western in January 2025, after over 25 years with the College’s Human Services Program. During this time, she served in the capacities of Professor and Program Head. She is proud of the strong community of human services professionals that the program has created and found great joy in being part of their academic journey. In addition to her academic career, she also owns a private practice, Inner Wisdom Trauma Therapies, where she works as a licensed clinical psychologist and yoga teacher. In her free time, Annemarie loves to sing, hike, make music, volunteer in her community, and play with her goofy pug dog, Pippa. 

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“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,” said Dr. Doré, “but I am confident that she will build on Â鶹ӰԺ’S outstanding history of serving its communities and its diverse student populations and I’m excited she has accepted the post.  Our months-long search attracted exceptional candidates and we are grateful to all of the talented educators who expressed interest in the Virginia Western presidency.”

Dr. Treanor currently serves as Provost, Senior Vice President for Instructional Services, and Dean of Faculty at Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana, a post she has held since 2018. Previously, at Baker College in Flint, Michigan, Dr. Treanor served in the roles of System Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, Vice President for Academics, Vice President and for Academics/Chief Academic Officer, and Dean of General Education. She has faculty experience as Associate Professor at Roanoke College, Assistant Professor at West Virginia University and Associate Professor at Barton College. Dr. Treanor earned her bachelor’s degree at Virginia Tech, a master’s degree at The Ohio State University, and a Doctor of Education degree at Virginia Tech.

“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.”

“As someone with deep ties to both Virginia and the Roanoke Valley region, I am thrilled to return home and contribute to the future of our great community,” said Dr. Treanor. “This is a time of incredible opportunity for Â鶹ӰԺ with so many good things going on in the region. I look forward to working with our dedicated faculty, staff, Local Advisory and Educational Foundation boards as well as our outstanding community partners to honor Dr. Sandel’s proud legacy while also leading the College boldly into the future.”

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Â鶹ӰԺ and James Madison University signed an articulation agreement on Monday, May 19, that will result in a seamless transition for students focusing on the field of biotechnology.

Virginia Western students completing the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Science with a major in Biotechnology and meeting all requirements will be guaranteed admission to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biotechnology program at James Madison University (JMU). Dr. Elizabeth Wilmer, Virginia Western’s Vice President of Academic and Workforce Solutions, and James Madison University’s interim provost, Dr. Bob Kolvoord, signed the articulation agreement in a 2:30 p.m. ceremony in the STEM Building on the Virginia Western campus.

Virginia Western has a strong reputation for preparing students to succeed after transfer, with graduates consistently performing well at four-year institutions across Virginia. The college’s rigorous coursework and emphasis on hands-on learning equip students with the academic and practical skills needed to thrive in upper-division programs.

JMU, where one in six graduates is a transfer student and the transfer retention rate stands at 90%, offers a welcoming and supportive environment for students continuing their education. Together, Virginia Western and James Madison University form a strong partnership, grounded in student success, that ensures a smooth transition for aspiring biotechnology professionals.

“We’re excited to partner with Virginia Western to offer a pathway for biotechnology students to come to JMU to extend their studies,” said Dr. Kolvoord, Interim Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at JMU. “Our Biotechnology program offers a hands-on approach where, along with interdisciplinary coursework, students will team with faculty members to pursue research in Biology, Chemistry, or Integrated Science and Technology, and complete internships with partners such as Merck & Co.”

JMU’s Biotechnology program offers a unique, interdisciplinary education that combines core STEM coursework with training in bioinformatics, bioethics, policy and innovation systems. Students also build strong skills in communication, project management and systems thinking.

Hands-on learning is central to JMU’s program, with most students completing multiple lab courses each semester. Around 75% participate in extended faculty-mentored research, and many gain real-world experience through internships with industry leaders.

Virginia Western’s Biotechnology program provides a strong foundation in biology, chemistry and microbiology, with an emphasis on laboratory-based instruction. Students gain practical experience in techniques such as DNA and protein analysis, cell culture, and standard operating procedures through advanced courses like Biotechnology Research Methods and Skills (BIO 250).

“Biotechnology has become a significant economic driver in the Roanoke region,” said Dr. Wilmer. “Virginia Western’s STEM Dean and faculty have taken a leadership role in growing biotechnology in our region and making Virginia Western a strong contributor of education and training in the field. Our students graduate with relevant knowledge and the practical skills needed to transition smoothly into either the workplace or programs such as JMU’s Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology.”

Virginia Western’s curriculum is aligned with statewide transfer agreements, and students who complete the degree are eligible for guaranteed admission to more than 30 public and private colleges and universities in Virginia. Biotechnology students also have the opportunity to prepare for the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE), an industry-recognized certification that supports both academic and career advancement.

“This agreement holds such significance for our Biotechnology students who wish to further their education before joining the field,” said Amy White, Dean of Virginia Western’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “I’m thrilled that our students will have a clear pathway to becoming a JMU Biotechnology graduate in four years. This relationship holds special personal significance for me. As a JMU graduate, I am particularly happy to see this opportunity open up for our students. It makes me proud that Virginia Western is securing strong relationships with four-year institutions, and I’m confident that this pathway will provide unique experiences and valuable opportunities for our students. Seeing this become a reality is a dream come true for me.”

Students earning the Associate of Science in Science with a Biotechnology major from Virginia Western will receive a waiver of General Education requirements at James Madison University. Among the requirements, JMU students must complete at least 120 credit hours to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology; of these, at least 60 must be completed at a four-year university, and at least 30 must be completed at JMU.

“We are looking forward to connecting with these Biotechnology students throughout their time at Virginia Western through our co-advising program, JMU Next Transfer Advising,” said Jolie Lewis, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Support and Director of Transfer Initiatives at James Madison University. “We hope that by the time they transition to JMU, they will already feel like Dukes, ready to join our vibrant and engaged community of transfer students.”

JMU graduates speak highly of the program: 95% of recent Biotech grads were glad that they chose the major and would recommend it to another student with similar interests.

Recent JMU graduates are pursuing Ph.D., Master’s, and Professional Health degrees at institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, Georgetown University, Boston University, Northwestern University and Virginia Commonwealth University. Others have secured employment with Merck & Co., Johnson & Johnson, Booz Allen Hamilton, GENEWIZ and AstraZeneca.

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For the 2024-2025 annual year, which runs summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025, Virginia Western welcomed 939 people to its growing alumni network. These students earned a total of 1,123 awards.*

More than 400 graduates attended Virginia Western’s 59th commencement, held Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Berglund Center in Roanoke. The ceremony honored graduates who completed their degrees and certificates during fall 2024 and spring 2025, as well as students projected to complete during the summer 2025.

Michelle Brown, a 2025 graduate who received an Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies, addressed graduates before the ceremony as Student Rehearsal Speaker. Onaca Umak, a 2025 graduate who received an Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology, was Student Welcome Speaker during the ceremony, and Dr. Robert Sandel, Virginia Western’s President, provided the keynote address. Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, introduced him, calling him the “second founder” of Virginia Western because of the College’s significant transformation under his leadership.

Dr. Sandel, who is retiring June 30 after 24 years as president, gave graduates 50 years’ worth of life lessons from A to Z, from attitude and appreciation to getting enough “Zzzzs” to gain fresh perspective when making decisions.

“When you made the choice to walk through the open doors of Virginia Western, you started the growth process, and when you chose to stay, regardless of the challenges ahead of you, you continued that process,” Dr. Sandel told graduates. “No matter what your role, our region will be better for it because you were willing to improve yourselves through hard work, persistence and grit to make it happen through education.” 

* Spring 2025 awards have not yet been conferred; a graduation application query was used to provide Spring 2025 graduate demographics. Official AY 2024-25 graduate data will be available in summer 2025.

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