

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
- 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 has developed a comprehensive Veterans, Military and Families Center in the new Hazel-Pruitt Armory, home of the Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE). The HIVE transformed a historic armory building on Shenandoah’s main campus into a future-focused and boundary-breaking technology hub, innovation accelerator, and magnet location for tech business startup, expansion, and relocation. The HIVE 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 University, Navy Federal Unveil New Mural That Honors Veterans
Artist John Zerbe's 'Above and Beyond' portray's transition from military to civilian life

Shenandoah University Employee Named 2024 Veteran Champion Of The Year In Higher Education
Eda Wu, staff member and adjunct instructor, recognized by Military Friendly® for her support of SU’s student veterans

Shenandoah University Celebrates The Opening Of Hazel-Pruitt Armory
Former Virginia National Guard armory building is home to SU’s Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs

In partnership with
Northern Shenandoah Valley Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB)
Contact
Kathy Whitmer
Phone: (540) 535-3452
Fax: (540) 665-5584
Email: kwhitmer@su.edu
Dahlia Ashford
Phone: (540) 665-4595
Email: dashford@su.edu
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.