Veterans, Military And Families Center (VMFC)
Our Goals
Fosters community among learners during their transition to campus life and with the SU alumni veteran network.
Honors military service within the SU community and recognizes academic achievements.
Connects learners to services and resources they need to be successful at SU from admission to graduation and beyond to facilitate the achievement of academic career goals.
Informs and educates the campus, community, and prospective learners.
Our Services
In addition to the focus on military-affiliated learners, the VMFC will also provide a first point of contact for veterans, service members, and their families in our community needing to connect to:
- Peer support groups and peer-to-peer mentoring.
- Assistance for homeless and at-risk veterans.
- Health and benefits assistance.
- Employment application assistance.
- Life skills training.
- Individual, family, and marital counseling.
- Counseling and suicide prevention.
- Referrals to local veteran-friendly agencies.
Support for SU Veterans
A Home for Those Who’ve Served
Shenandoah is developing an even more comprehensive Veterans, Military and Families Center, to be housed, fittingly, in the former armory located on the Winchester main campus. The Armory Building, which is becoming the university’s Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs, is also home to Shenandoah’s Esports Arena.
Shenandoah Veterans Speak
Meet J.D. Oldaker '24
Any chance that veterans get a voice to share their stories and educate each other and our peers on different life expereinces…that cross collaboration on the same path forward is always a benefit.
Meet Jalen Mims, '23
Here at SU, they offer a lot of open houses for veterans and their dependants and also offer a lot of spaces where you can all come together and just talk and be with like-minded people who’ve experienced the same things you’ve experienced.
Meet Logan Williams, '24
Things like the HIVE need to happen…to engage and re-engage consistently with each other, it’s beautiful, it’s a really beautiful thing. It’s something that inspires me and is going to inspire a lot of creativity and problem solving for veterans and the community.
Military And GI Bill® Benefits at Shenandoah University
At Shenandoah University, we support the studies of veterans and their families. We’re a Yellow Ribbon School, and have an active Veterans and Supporters group, a veteran and military center, and more. At Shenandoah, we welcome veterans, active military members, and their families, all of whom are enveloped in the our Shenandoah family.
SU Veteran and Military-Related News
Shenandoah Employee Named 2024 Veteran Champion of the Year in Higher Education
Eda Wu, staff member and adjunct instructor recognized for her support of SU’s student Veterans
“You’re never a burden.”
SU student veteran and business owner working to support other veterans
Shenandoah Maintains Silver Military Friendly® Designation
SU recognized for its continued support of veterans and their families
The Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE)
The Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE) transformed a historic armory building on Shenandoah University’s main campus into a future-focused and boundary-breaking technology hub, innovation accelerator, and magnet location for tech business startup, expansion, and relocation.
Interested in contributing to the success of the HIVE?
In partnership with
Northern Shenandoah Valley Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB)
Contact
Kathy Whitmer
Data and Transcript Specialist
VA School Certifying Official
Phone: (540) 535-3452
Fax: (540) 665-5584
Email: kwhitmer@whtmy.com
Dahlia Ashford
Assistant Dean of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
Advisor – Shenandoah Veterans & Supporters
Phone: (540) 665-4595
Email: dashford@whtmy.com
Mailing Address:
Shenandoah University
Office of the Registrar
1460 University Dr.
Winchester, VA 22601
VA Certifying Official
The VA Certifying Official is the liaison between Shenandoah University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The School Certifying Official (SCO) for Shenandoah University is Kathy Whitmer. The SCO is responsible for reporting student enrollment information (term dates and credit loads) to the VA so benefit payments are disbursed. Students with VA Benefits must enroll for the VA benefits online by using the Veterans Online Application. Once the student has applied online it may take up to 12 weeks to receive the Certificate of Eligibility. Once the student receives this Certificate, a copy of the Certificate needs to be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Once the CoE is received, the student is registered for classes and the Enrollment Certification Request Form (ECR) is completed the SCO will certify the student with Veteran Affairs.