At VMI, opportunities knock — and cadets answer

When it comes to military colleges, it’s easy to imagine a strictly regimented lifestyle with little individual variation. However, at Virginia Military Institute, a small college in western Virginia, there are countless opportunities for the students, known as cadets, to pursue their personal and professional goals. From academics to athletics to military service, each cadet’s journey through VMI is unique, and no two cadets have the exact same experience.

Skyleigh D’Ambrosia, class of 2026

A native of Massachusetts and the child of a single mother, Skyleigh D’Ambrosia, class of 2026, went to VMI seeking to become the best version of herself. She’s a biology major who’s fallen in love with research thanks to a summer in a professor’s lab, and she plans to attend graduate school in that subject next year.

“I loved being in a lab every day,” she said. “And it just kind of clicked in my head. ... This is what I could do for the rest of my life. And I think a lot of cadets have that experience with whatever is their thing, whether it’s military or academics or some kind of profession or sport.”

D’Ambrosia is also extremely thankful for the scholarship support VMI provides, which is a huge help in navigating the cost of out-of-state tuition. “I am so happy — easily, 1,000% the best decision I’ve ever made was coming to VMI,” she said. “I can’t imagine myself anywhere else. I see the person who I’m becoming, and I see the people I’ve surrounded myself with, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Nicholas Feher, class of 2026

Nicholas Feher, class of 2026, followed his older brother, Alexander “Alex” Feher, class of 2023, to VMI, drawn by the many leadership opportunities available to cadets and the chance to commission into the U.S. Army — a wise move, considering VMI’s ROTC department is the largest in the United States and the college’s Army commissioning rate leads the nation.

Academically, Feher participates in VMI’s Institute Honors program, which allows cadets to delve deeper into their coursework, conduct research and write an honors thesis in their senior year. Feher has chosen a demanding major — Arabic — and appreciates VMI’s 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio. His academic journey hasn’t been confined to campus, known as “post” to cadets, either: He studied in Morocco the summer after his freshman year.

As he prepares to graduate, Feher is grateful for VMI’s emphasis on educating the whole person. VMI’s stellar academics, with classes taught by faculty who overwhelmingly hold terminal degrees in their fields, are coupled with world-class facilities supporting cadets’ military and physical fitness goals.

“It’s such a unique experience ... to be able to have limited time in a day but be able to maximize the time to do everything that you want to do,” he said.

Zachary Richardson, class of 2028

Zachary Richardson, class of 2028, is only in his second year at VMI, but he’s taking advantage of all the institute has to offer. He’s a member of VMI’s NCAA Division I swimming and diving team and is involved in several clubs, including one that encourages civil discourse and debate. He’s on a full scholarship, which has alleviated his family’s financial worries, and is hoping to study abroad at some point. And while many college students today steer away from majors considered unmarketable, Richardson is confident in his choice of a history major because the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has found every major at VMI provides a positive return on investment.

“Academics is very important to me, and I’ve always enjoyed school,” he said. He’s sampled classes ranging from Roman history to microeconomics and wants to conduct an independent research project.

He’s also assured that VMI’s well-known alumni network, in which alumni look out for one another both professionally and personally, is one of the school’s great strengths. “I feel very confident that wherever I want to go, whatever I want to do, VMI can provide that for me,” Richardson said.

To learn more, visit vmi.edu/neversettle.

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