91影视破解版 is pleased to announce the College’s new role with the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) with designation as an NC3 Leadership School. This will enhance regional opportunities in advanced manufacturing and industrial technology.

Virginia Western’s Workforce Solutions division hosted an event Thursday, July 2, to showcase the impact this will have on students and highlight the College’s advanced, industry-informed lab spaces.

Skill sets obtained in the mechatronics career pathway are transferable among many industries, in fields such as advanced manufacturing and industrial technology. The NC3 Leadership School designation represents the highest level of participation within NC3, designed for leading educational institutions that aim to model world-class career and technical education.

As an NC3 Leadership School, Virginia Western will now offer applied mechatronics courses:
鈥� Applied Fluid Power with Vacuum Technology
鈥� Applied Mechanical Systems
鈥� Applied PLCs and Smart Sensors

“Nationally, NC3 has supported more than 430,000 students and issued over one million stackable certifications,” said Dr. Elizabeth Wilmer, Vice President of Academic and Workforce Solutions at Virginia Western. “We are delighted that students in our region have been successfully earning certificates at the fundamentals level, and we know that offering applied level courses as a Leadership School will advance regional opportunities that much more.”

As part of NC3’s mission to elevate learning environments, being named as an NC3 Leadership School creates new opportunity for advancing instruction. The organization hosts NC3 Train-the-Trainer events, which allow instructors to gain hands-on expertise and bring advanced skills back to their classrooms. Faculty gain opportunities to become NC3 Master Instructors, mentoring other educators, along with networking. They also receive access to tour NC3 model campuses as a resource when enhancing curriculum and facilities.

Regional employers recognize how the NC3 Leadership School designation will have a positive impact on their workforces and business operations.

“Our industry is always changing, and it’s important that our technicians keep learning and have access to the best tools and training available. We want to give our employees the opportunity to build their skills, do their jobs well, and provide the best service possible to our customers,” said Ginger Hultquist, Business Operations for Jewell Machinery in Rocky Mount. “The program at 91影视破解版 gives us that opportunity. The ability to schedule classes around our work demands makes it easy for employees to participate while gaining valuable knowledge and hands-on training that they can use every day.”

NC3 Leadership Schools provide students with industry-recognized, portable certifications that are aligned with national skill standards.

“StikPak is proud to collaborate with Virginia Western’s advanced manufacturing program to help develop the skilled talent our region depends on. Several of our team members have participated in the mechatronics curriculum, yielding exceptional results,” said C. Shay Whitlow, Director of Human Resources and Safety for Rocky Mount’s Stik-Pak Solutions, Inc. “Through this training, employees have acquired valuable technical expertise and earned industry recognized credentials, with several advancing into leadership and higher responsibility positions within our company. This new designation and the expansion of educational pathways will further enhance workforce development and provide manufacturers like StikPak with the talent needed to drive growth, innovation, and long-term success.”

This result was echoed by Doug Agner, General Manager of Salem’s Graham-White Manufacturing, a Wabtec company, a leading advanced manufacturer supporting the global rail industry through innovation in electro pneumatic systems. “The partnership with Virginia Western reflects our commitment to building a skilled, future-ready workforce,” Agner said. “The NC3 Leadership School status and enhanced mechatronics courses will strengthen our talent pipeline and accelerate adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.”

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That’s where Dr. Diane Wolff, Professor of Computer Science/Information Technology at 91影视破解版, sees an opportunity.  

“Organizations across industries are collecting exponentially more data, and they need professionals who can transform that data into decisions — not just store or manage it,” Wolff said. “This trend drives demand for data analytics skills in addition to technical programming skills, rather than instead of them.  The complementarity of analytics plus programming increases employability.” 

Virginia Western has revolutionized a two-year programming degree into the Associate of Applied Science in IST: Data Analytics & Programming Solutions degree. This unique pathway was built in tandem with Radford University to create a true “two-plus-two” program, enabling students to receive Radford’s Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Systems in four total years. Additionally, Radford’s program has an opportunity to continue with a one-year option for a Master of Business Administration, which is offered online. 

“By integrating analytics with programming, the curriculum prepares students to work alongside AI tools, not be displaced by them,” Wolff said. “This change modernizes the program, aligns it with current workforce needs, and improves graduate employment outcomes — without abandoning core programming fundamentals.” 

Wolff assembled a team to rethink the program in concert with Dr. Art Carter, Accounting, Finance, and Information Systems department chair at Radford University. While AAS degrees are designed for students to directly enter the workforce, this program also has a pathway built in for direct transfer to a cutting-edge degree at Radford University. The new specialization includes general education requirements such as precalculus and statistics, which are critical for the data science field.  

Radford University’s Information Science and Systems program combines computer science and business classes to create a hybrid of business and technology. This STEM program is designed with a technical core including database, networks, programming and cybersecurity and a business core including accounting, management, economics, finance and marketing, as well as courses specializing in cybersecurity management and decision analytics.  

“We are excited about this partnership,” said Carter. “Over the years of working with Virginia Western, the students coming to Radford have been well prepared and very successful in their studies here. Our Information Science and Systems program concentrates studies in Decision Analytics and Cybersecurity Management, and the Virginia Western program will be a great preparation to finish this program with two additional years of studies.” 

The demand for data analytics is growing rapidly, Wolff said, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting much faster than average growth for these roles. Data scientists are expected to see employment rise 34% between 2024-2034, with around 23,400 openings annually. 

“I’m grateful for both the continuation of our partnership with Radford University and this proactive approach to the need for evolving curricula,” said Amy White, Dean of STEM and Workforce Solutions. “I am proud of the faculty from both institutions who have worked to meet the needs of students in this rapidly changing industry.” 

Applications and admissions of transfer students are increasing, due in part to programs such as Tartan Transfer and the Radford Tuition Promise that ease the transition to a four-year program. Transfer student applications and admissions for the Fall 2026 semester have increased approximately five percent over Fall 2025. Virginia Western is one of nine Tartan Transfer partner institutions, and enrollment through that program continues to grow. 

“This partnership reflects what higher education should look like at its best: institutions working together to create clear, affordable pathways to opportunity,” said Donna McCloskey, dean of the Artis College of Business and Economics. “Through Tartan Transfer and agreements like this one, students can start close to home, build valuable skills and credentials, and continue seamlessly toward a bachelor’s degree and a rewarding career.” 

During students’ time at Virginia Western, opportunities will exist to obtain industry certifications including the Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) in Java, the Information Technology Specialist (ITS) in Database Fundamentals, the CompTIA AI Essentials, the CompTIA Security+, CAPM Project Management, and the CompTIA Linux+ certifications. 

“The new AAS program aims to teach programming with purpose, powered by data,” Wolff said. “It’s not about learning to code for coding’s sake — it’s about using data and technology to solve real problems.”

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The Virginia Workforce Association has named Carilion Clinic’s Grow-Our-Own Medical Assistant-Certified (MA-C) Program as recipient of the Talent Champion Award. Virginia Western and the Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board collaborate with Carilion Clinic to operate the program. 

“The Virginia Workforce Association Talent Champion Award recognizes the power of partnership between Carilion Clinic and 91影视破解版,” said Lauren Cumella, Healthcare Careers faculty member at Virginia Western. “I am proud to help students gain the skills and confidence needed to launch successful healthcare careers while strengthening the future healthcare workforce in our region. This award reflects the dedication and hard work of our students, faculty, and healthcare partners whose commitment to excellence makes a lasting impact on our community.”

The Grow-Our-Own MA-C Program offers cohorts three times each year — in March, July, and October. Applications are posted by Carilion Clinic approximately two months prior to the start of each cohort.

Here is a news release from Carilion Clinic with more information about the partnership and award:

ROANOKE, Va. — Carilion Clinic’s Grow-Our-Own Medical Assistant-Certified (MA-C) Program has earned the Virginia Workforce Association’s Talent Champion Award.听

The award recognizes employers that go beyond filling positions by making meaningful investments in workforce development, career advancement, and innovative partnerships that create opportunities for individuals while strengthening communities.听

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between our educational and workforce development partners, clinic leaders, preceptors and program participants,” said Christine Ugron, ambulatory clinical educator at Carilion. “Together, we’ve created a pathway that helps people enter healthcare careers while helping meet the workforce needs of our region. This recognition demonstrates what is possible when organizations work together to remove barriers to opportunity, invest in workforce development and create meaningful career pathways.”听

Carilion developed the Grow-Our-Own MA-C Program in collaboration with the Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board and 91影视破解版. The program offers a unique “learn and earn” pathway that combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience, preparing participants for successful careers in healthcare.听

This program is part of Carilion’s broader workforce development focus to invest in talent from within the communities it serves. Through targeted training, educational partnerships, and hands-on experience, the program helps individuals gain the skills needed to launch healthcare careers while supporting the long-term growth of the region’s healthcare workforce. By connecting education, training, and employment, the program helps build a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals prepared to serve patients across the region.听

The Virginia Workforce Association recognized Carilion’s program for its innovative partnerships and exceptional outcomes, including a 100% certification pass rate, strong hiring and retention results, and a commitment to creating accessible pathways into healthcare careers.听

To learn more about career opportunities and workforce development programs at Carilion Clinic, visit .

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For the 2025-2026 annual year, which runs summer 2025, fall 2025 and spring 2026, Virginia Western welcomed 1,041 people to its growing alumni network. These students earned a total of 1,304 awards.* 

More than 400 graduates attended Virginia Western’s 60th鈥痗ommencement, held Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Berglund Center in Roanoke. The ceremony honored graduates who completed their degrees and certificates during fall 2025 and spring 2026, as well as students projected to complete during the summer 2026. 

Dr. Laura Treanor presided over her first Commencement ceremony as President of Virginia Western. “Each graduate seated before us represents determination, sacrifice, resilience, and hope for the future,” she said. “We gather not only to recognize academic achievement, but also to celebrate the journeys, challenges, and accomplishments that have brought our graduates to this important moment.” 

Three Virginia Western students participated as speakers in Commencement events. 

Maureen Arthur, a 2026 graduate who received an Associate of Science in Business Administration, addressed graduates before the ceremony as Student Rehearsal Speaker. Hagar Atef Youssef, a 2026 graduate who received an Associate of Science degree in Science, was Student Welcome Speaker during the ceremony, and Demetrice Peerman-Forrest, a 2026 graduate who received an Associate of Applied Science in Human Services, gave the keynote address. 

Addressing graduates at the pre-Commencement rehearsal, Arthur said, “The concept of time is something we all have taken for granted. 525,600 minutes. Regardless of circumstance, we all have the same amount of time in a year.” She encouraged the class not to let time slip away and to let mistakes guide them as they move forward to new opportunities.  

In her welcome speech, Youssef shared lessons she learned as a first-generation college student. “Here at Virginia Western, we aren’t defined by our accents or our past, but by our effort, our courage, and our willingness to keep going,” she said.  

Youssef encouraged her classmates to reflect on their Virginia Western journey with gratitude. “Thank you, Virginia Western, for proving that one year can truly change a life. Just look at our college president, Dr. Treanor, and everything she has accomplished in such a short time.” 

Peerman-Forrest spoke with lessons from the “hard road” she had taken in the years before receiving her degree. “When I first started at Virginia Western, my life looked very different than it is today,” she said. “I started here homeless. I came here in a wheelchair. Some mornings, when I got off the city bus, there was a police officer waiting at the bus stop just to push me up the hill so I could make it to class.” 

Speaking of how faith and resilience — and many supporters at the College — carried her to this day, Peerman-Forrest exhorted her classmates. “Don’t give up just because it’s taking time. Don’t quit just because it’s hard. And don’t count yourself out just because you feel out of place. Because sometimes the very places where you feel like you don’t belong are the places where you are growing into who you’re meant to be.” 

*鈥�Spring 2026 awards have not yet been conferred; a graduation application query was used to provide Spring 2026 graduate demographics. Official AY 2025-26 graduate data will be available in summer 2026.

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The ceremony, which will honor graduates from the fall 2025 and spring and summer 2026 semesters, starts at 6:30 p.m. There are 418 students expected to attend, with 546 degrees and certificates being awarded.

Dr. Laura Treanor will preside over her first Commencement ceremony as President of Virginia Western. Dr. Treanor is the fifth person to hold the office of President in the College’s 60-year history.

Three Virginia Western students were selected to participate as speakers in Commencement events:

• Maureen Arthur will serve as Rehearsal Speaker. She is graduating with an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration.
• Hagar Atef Youssef will deliver the Welcome. She is graduating with an Associate of Science degree in Science.
• Demetrice Peerman-Forrest has the role of Keynote Speaker. She is graduating with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Human Services.

Virginia Western’s Commencement will be viewable online through .

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The  has awarded 91影视破解版 a designation of Gold Status for 2026-27 following College-wide efforts to support military-affiliated students.

The Military Friendly organization assesses educational institutions on benchmarks including graduation, retention, job placement or transfer rates; loan default rates; and veteran outcomes as well as outcomes for Guard and Reserve students, dependents, active duty, and military spouses. To be designated Military Friendly, an educational institution must meet three or more benchmarks.

To achieve Gold Status, Virginia Western had to meet five or more benchmarks and meet qualification percentages compared with other schools in the award category of Large Community College in this survey cycle. The new designation upgrades the College’s ranking of Silver in 2025-26. Virginia Western again received designation as a Military Spouse Friendly School.

The elevation from Military Friendly Silver to Gold status reflects a focused, student-first approach to serving our veteran and military-connected community, said Brandon Snead, VERITAS Veteran Liaison at Virginia Western and himself a U.S. Air Force veteran.

“Over the past year, we’ve implemented new and optimized processes that significantly reduce certification wait times for VA benefits users, while also expanding our outreach efforts to better connect with service members and veterans where they are,” Snead said.

He noted that the student work-study team at the Military Student Center has performed at an exceptionally high level, contributing to a more efficient and welcoming environment.

“At the Military Student Center, we are constantly looking for ways to grow and improve — from introducing loaner calculators to expanding our coffee bar — all with the goal of removing barriers and creating a space where our military-affiliated students can truly thrive,” Snead said.

The Military Student Center held a celebration May 5 to celebrate and recognize the outreach that led to Gold Status.

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

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Project partners marked the opening of RoVa Labs on Wednesday, May 6, and shared the following news release about this transformational investment in the Roanoke region:

Leaders from , the , , and 91影视破解版 cut the ribbon on years of hard work with the opening of RoVa Labs, a 40,000-square-foot biotech incubator designed to accelerate commercialization, strengthen the Roanoke Innovation Corridor, and position the region as an emerging destination for life sciences innovation and manufacturing.

The $26 million public-private investment is expected to create 250 high-wage jobs within five years while providing nationally competitive infrastructure to help startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs launch and scale companies in Southwest Virginia.

Funded through a $15.7 million state grant matched by more than $10 million in regional investment, RoVa Labs represents one of the region’s most significant investments to date in commercialization infrastructure and the future of Virginia’s growing life sciences economy.

“The shared lab space will attract existing and start-up businesses in the life sciences, biotechnology, and healthcare sectors,” said Carilion Executive Vice President and CFO Don Halliwill. “Building the space is just the first step in creating an innovative gathering place for our region’s greatest minds to collaborate with those who have promising new ideas about exciting and challenging projects.”

Located at 1030 South Jefferson Street in the heart of the Roanoke Innovation Corridor, RoVa Labs fills a longstanding gap in the region’s innovation ecosystem. For years, many early-stage biotech companies were forced to relocate to larger markets such as Boston, San Francisco, and the Research Triangle because the specialized wet lab infrastructure and commercialization support needed to grow did not exist locally.

RoVa Labs changes that dynamic by bringing world-class biotech infrastructure to a lower-cost, high-talent market already supported by nationally recognized research institutions, healthcare systems, workforce development partners, and manufacturing expertise. “Roanoke is a hub for science and research and a place where life sciences entrepreneurs, researchers, and startups can get the necessary support, collaboration, and tools needed to innovate and grow,” said Roanoke City Manager Valmarie Turner.

More than just lab space, RoVa Labs represents a strategic economic development investment designed to help diversify and strengthen the region’s economy through the continued growth of the life sciences sector.

“We haven’t just built labs; we’re building an ecosystem where life sciences companies can scale and compete globally,” said Erin Burcham, RBIA Chief Executive Officer. “By pairing RoVa Labs’ critical infrastructure with the specialized startup programming that early-stage biotech companies require, we’re carrying out a proven blueprint for regional economic transformation.”

The facility helps create a stronger pipeline from research and startup development to scalable production, building upon the Roanoke Region’s existing strengths in advanced manufacturing. From 2019 to 2023, the Roanoke Region accounted for roughly half of Virginia’s manufacturing job growth, demonstrating the region’s momentum and ability to support innovation-driven industries at scale.

“As life sciences companies grow, they eventually need manufacturing, supply chain, and production capabilities,” said Julia Boas, director of Business Investment for the Roanoke Regional Partnership. “The Roanoke Region is uniquely positioned to support that next phase of growth because we already have the industrial foundation, workforce expertise, and collaborative ecosystem needed to help companies move from concept to commercialization to production.” Boas also noted the groundbreaking research taking
place at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, the leadership of Carilion Clinic, and the entrepreneurial pipeline created through programs like RAMP have helped lay the foundation for this moment and positioned the region to compete in the growing life sciences economy.

Regional leaders also emphasized the importance of workforce development in supporting the long-term success of the life sciences sector and ensuring companies have access to a highly skilled talent pipeline.
“While our partners have been hard at work preparing this world-class space, Virginia Western has been hard at work preparing the talent to power it,” said Amy White, dean of STEM and Workforce Solutions. “Our mission is to stay ahead of the ever-changing workforce needs of biotech, healthcare innovation, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies. We are achieving this through a dual focus: training our students for the highly specialized roles within RoVa Labs and supporting our K-12 partners through professional development and outreach efforts. By strengthening every link in the educational pipeline, we are ensuring that Roanoke’s biotech future is fueled by local expertise.”

RoVa Labs is operated by , a nationally recognized operator of elite life sciences incubators and research environments. Their involvement brings proven expertise and nationally competitive standards to the Roanoke market while reinforcing the region’s emergence as a serious player in the biotech and life sciences economy.

The project also strengthens Virginia’s growing innovation corridor connecting Roanoke, Charlottesville, and Richmond by expanding the infrastructure needed to support research commercialization, entrepreneurship, and company growth across the Commonwealth.

RoVa Labs represents another major milestone in the continued evolution of the Roanoke Innovation Corridor and demonstrates the power of collaboration between healthcare, higher education, local government, workforce development, and economic development organizations working together toward a shared regional vision.

For more information about the labs, please visit the .

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Diane and William Elliot and Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc. of Roanoke, Va., have received the 20^th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. They were nominated by 91影视破解版.

Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE), the 20th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy Luncheon brings together over 200 guests to recognize outstanding philanthropic contributions to Virginia’s Community Colleges.

In his welcoming remarks, Chancellor David Dor茅 saluted and thanked the donors for their unwavering commitment to students whose potential might otherwise go unrealized. “The individuals and organizations we honor in this room represent an extraordinary $27 million in lifetime giving to Virginia’s community colleges,” he said.

The sentiment was echoed by Secretary of Education Jeffery Smith, who underscored the importance of philanthropy and its ability to remove barriers that could impede or even block the way forward for students short on resources. “Every Virginian deserves a pathway to economic opportunity,” he said.

In addition to Secretary Smith, distinguished guests in attendance included State Board members as well as members of the VFCCE Board of Directors. Author, philanthropist and educator Brent L. Kendrick, Ph.D., whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to teaching and community college education, delivered the keynote address.

2026 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy Recipients

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Two faculty members of 91影视破解版 received awards at the New Horizons Conference awards celebration on Friday, April 17, at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.

Dr. Heather Lindberg received the Susan S. Wood Professorship for Teaching Excellence. This award honors outstanding faculty within the Virginia Community College System. This prestigious award, established by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education in 2013, recognizes a VCCS faculty member who exemplifies the highest standards of faculty excellence and dedication to students.

Lindberg, who joined Virginia Western’s faculty in 2015, serves as Biotechnology Program Head. During her time in that role, she has participated in collaborative grant writing as co-principal investigator for three funded grants. She has helped fulfill Virginia Western’s role in the state-funded Roanoke Blacksburg Biotechnology project, developing a talent pipeline to support this industry’s expansion regionally. As part of this, she led the development of a two-year associate degree program designed to train students for the local biotechnology industry and has initiated opportunities for students to receive nationally recognized credentialing.

Robert Leonard received the George B. Vaughan Leadership Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty. This is the premier award recognizing the dedication and impact of adjunct faculty across the VCCS. Established in 2014, this award is made possible by the George B. Vaughan Leadership Endowment Fund through the VFCCE.

At Virginia Western, Leonard teaches Construction Management and Construction Safety courses with a focus on professionalism and high-performance building practices. He brings more than four decades of experience in the construction industry to the classroom and Curriculum Advisory Committees. He supported implementation of Virginia Western’s Plumbing Career Studies Certificate, and he delivers training within Virginia Western’s School of Career and Corporate Training, working closely to strengthen pathways between noncredit training, credit-bearing programs and employment. His teaching emphasizes critical thinking, communication and problem-solving, preparing students not only for their first job but for long-term careers in the trades and construction management.

The鈥疦ew Horizons Conference鈥痜or community college educators and leaders is hosted by Virginia’s Community Colleges Student Success Center. The April 15-17 conference focused on鈥�”Ignite: Lighting the Path for Future-Ready Education,” aligning with the VCCS strategic plan,鈥�. 

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Nursing shortages make headlines across Virginia and the nation. 91影视破解版 has a new tool to address those shortages and make nursing school more accessible — the Earn to Learn Nursing Education Acceleration Program.

Virginia Western’s Associate of Applied Science Nursing Program, a pre-licensure RN program, and Carilion Clinic have partnered to implement Earn to Learn in the Roanoke Valley, aiming to transform nurse clinical education and ensure nurses are practice-ready when they graduate.

“The way I describe it is I feel like I’m being trained as a nurse instead of as a student,” said Danielle Ledbetter, one of 22 Virginia Western nursing students who took part in the 2025-26 Earn to Learn cohort. 

Five students participated in a pilot program last year after the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) awarded more than $4 million statewide in 2024 to a range of institutions. Those five all became Carilion employees.

The program reaches third-semester nursing students to enhance their clinical experiences, explained Dr. Kelley Pennell, Professor and Coordinator/Administrative Officer of Nursing for Virginia Western’s AAS (prelicensure-RN) Nursing Program.

“Working with these students and seeing the progression from entry-level student to becoming a practice-ready nurse is extremely rewarding,” Pennell said. “Knowing this program will contribute to better-prepared nurses that can provide evidence-based care to promote patient safety and positive patient outcomes is a game changer for associate degree nursing programs.”

One-on-one benefits

ETL students are paired with a nurse mentor for one-on-one preceptorship instead of taking part in the customary groups of eight to 10 students in clinical rotations.

“Having that one-on-one time with a mentor versus having to vie for attention in a group of clinical students for one instructor — I’ve learned a lot more than I think I would have in a clinical group,” said nursing student Cody Shelton.

Meanwhile, nurse mentors note that Earn to Learn students are demonstrating increased knowledge and critical thinking skills, said Brittany Ashwell, Clinical Coordinator at Carilion.

Earn to Learn students complete 104 clinical hours in third semester. They are paid two ways: through an academic role and work role. For the academic role, most perform one 12-hour shift per week.

“You walk a day in a nurse’s shoes because you’re one-on-one with a nurse,” said nursing student Teresa Jamison. “I think it really has taught me time management, and what it’s going to look like to actually work a shift on the floor. When she’s charting, I’m sitting down and charting with her. And when she’s assessing, I know I need to be doing my assessments at certain times.”

Students also fulfill a work role as a Nurse Extern on the same unit with the same mentor. Nurse Externs are nursing students who work in a role similar to a patient care technician but with additional training to perform advanced patient care skills while completing their nursing education. Four hours a week are required, but students may schedule up to 24 hours per week in this role.

This facet of the program boosts patient care and provides more paid clinical experiences, but students also see more than financial benefits.

“In order to be a good nurse, you need to understand what everybody’s roles are in the collaborative care team,” said nursing student Kim Young. “So I really appreciated being trained as a patient care tech, and understanding that once we are nurses, we cannot function without them, because there are so many things that need to happen, and we cannot be in multiple places at once. We also need to be willing to give them respect and be willing to help them. So being cross-trained is very valuable.”

When the semester’s clinical hours are complete, ETL students receive a $2,288 stipend for the academic role, which is enough to pay for tuition the following semester. Meanwhile, students are paid for their work role, which has the added benefit of flexibility in scheduling.

“I had a job all last school year and over the summer, and I didn’t quit, but I stepped out of that role and have only been working my Earn to Learn position,” Jamison said. “That in itself is a huge blessing, because it’s just made my life so much less stressful not having to coordinate another job on top of school and this position.”

‘A powerful bridge’

Carilion sees great benefit in reducing stress for potential employees, said Kristin Crouse, Transition to Practice Director at Carilion Clinic.

“Earn to Learn creates a powerful bridge between education and practice, helping us prepare confident, practice-ready students familiar with our tools, policies, and procedures here at Carilion,” said Crouse. “Thus the program is enhancing a smooth transition to Nurse Resident with reduced stress and ready to deliver exceptional care from day one.”

Earn to Learn mentorships also help nursing students gain a different style of experience in some of the foundational places in nursing. The five students who participated in spring 2025 all were retained at Carilion in hard-to-fill areas, Ashwell said.

Students gain insights from their nurse mentors about a wide range of medical-surgical areas that take in a combination of patients, helping them visualize opportunities these areas offer. This also gives the students a broader range of experiences they can speak to when interviewing for jobs, Ashwell and Crouse said.

Nurse mentors see the benefits. “Taking a full patient load, charting multiple patients, and performing skills, medications, and tasks rapidly improves their confidence, time management, and abilities,” said Micah Borgia, a Progressive Care Unit nurse at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital who has mentored several students in the Earn to Learn Program. “It is also extremely rewarding for the nursing mentor as it provides them opportunities to instill current best practice standards, give back to the nursing profession, and ensure the next generation of nurses are prepared for an ever-changing medical landscape.”

This year’s cohort were able to choose whether to continue with Earn to Learn this spring in their fourth semester before graduation. Whereas third semester focuses on medical-surgical clinical experiences, fourth semester includes required hours in specialties including pediatrics, psychiatric, labor and delivery, and community-based care.

Students see this as a strong selling point. “I was worried that continuing in Earn to Learn would mean that I wouldn’t get to get the preceptor placement that I wanted, but this semester they’ve opened it up to a ton of different specialty fields, so we’re going to get a more diverse clinical experience and still have the one on one, which is really vital,” Jamison said.

A cycle of mentorship

The mentoring relationship remains the program’s core. “I think the money’s just a plus at this point. It’s not something to do it for anymore. And my nurse, it’s so wonderful, because it’s not a nurse you’re seeing one time,” said Ledbetter. “When I come back, she’ll be like, ‘Oh, by the way, when you turned in this assessment, you just forgot this small thing. So we just want to make sure for next time that we fix it.’ So it’s good to get feedback continuously.”

Borgia said he would like every nursing student to have a one-to-one nurse mentor in their final year. “This would help reduce the cost of on-boarding future nurses by shortening new graduate nurse orientation for new hires, immediately prepare nurse graduates for the real-world nursing environment, and lead to longer nurse retention.”

The mentor role is vital. “Mentors must meet certain eligibility requirements, and we work hard to match students with their prospective units based on strength of student and the needs we have identified the student has to become practice ready upon graduation,” said Pennell.

“To see some our Virginia Western Nursing graduates from the past apply to mentor current Earn to Learn Students highlights a rewarding opportunity to give back to the nursing community. We currently have two RN mentors that graduated from the Virginia Western Nursing Program in recent years,” said Pennell.

This year’s cohort praised the selection process. “I feel like my mentor is a match made in heaven for me,” Shelton said about his mentor in the fall.

Young, who previously worked in clinical research for 13 years, said her mentor graduated from Virginia Western’s Nursing Program in 2020. “When she started nursing school, she was my age, so later-in-life change of career,” Young said. “We have a lot in common, and I feel like that’s given us a better rapport as well.”

These Virginia Western students’ experiences mirror goals that the state health department outlined at the program’s outset: “The Earn to Learn model is based on a growing body of evidence that suggests better workforce program outcomes come from programs that incorporate hands-on, work-based trainings alongside academic engagement and include access to one-on-one career navigation assistance and other wraparound services.”

This spring, Virginia Western was awarded Virginia Department of Health funding for the 2026-27 Earn to Learn cohort. This continuation funding, which runs through June 2027, will allow additional students to participate and add HCA Healthcare as a clinical partner. 

“When we invest in nursing students, we invest in the future of healthcare,” said Pennell. “Their curiosity, resilience and commitment to service are already shaping stronger, safer patient outcomes. The Earn to Learn program is a perfect example of investing in our nursing students.”

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