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Underscoring a commitment to the service of veterans, active military personnel and their families, Blue Ridge Community College has earned the 2025-2026 ‘Military Friendly®’ School designation, a title it has earned annually since 2013.
Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation are evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey involving more than 1,800 schools. Earning the “silver” award, Blue Ridge was one of 830 institutions to earn recognition for going above the standard.
“At Blue Ridge Community College, we remain deeply grateful for the service and sacrifice of our veterans and active military members,” said Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood, president of Blue Ridge Community College. “It’s our honor to support them through accessible, high-quality education and dedicated resources that help them achieve their academic and career goals. Their leadership and experience strengthen our campus, local workforce and nation.”
Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process,” said Kayla Lopez, national director of military partnerships for Military Friendly®. “Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.”
To assist students with the transition from military to college life, Blue Ridge Community College offers one-on-one registration assistance, financial aid counseling, referrals to local resources, faculty mentoring and support, special events and a student-veterans club. More information about Blue Ridge’s resources for student-veterans is available online at www.blueridge.edu/veterans.
About Military Friendly® Schools:
The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.
About Viqtory:
Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.