Wayne Community College has earned the 2026–2027 Military Friendly Schools® designation with silver award status in the small community college category.
Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Military Friendly®, in consultation with the Military Friendly® Advisory Council, a group of independent leaders in the military community.
Final ratings were determined by combining an organization’s survey score, public data, and an assessment of the institution’s ability to meet and exceed thresholds for student recruitment, retention, academic progress, graduation rates, career placement, and support services for veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses.
In addition to the services provided by its Financial Aid and Veteran Services Office, WCC staffs an office and teaches classes on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, has a Military Resource Center on the campus in Goldsboro, houses a North Carolina Military Business Center representative, and administers scholarships specifically for spouses and dependents.
Every semester, the Small Business Center at WCC holds Boots to Business entrepreneurial education and training programs to assist active-duty military, dependents, and veterans with starting small businesses.
“WCC is proud to be designated as a Military Friendly School® for the 13th time,” said Dr. Patty Pfeiffer, WCC president and United States Army veteran. “This recognition acknowledges our commitment to supporting our military-affiliated students and employees by providing resources to ensure their success. Our active-duty military and veterans, as well as their spouses and dependents, are a vital part of this college and the Goldsboro community.”
“Earning the Military Friendly® designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution’s deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served,” said Kayla Lopez, Military Friendly® vice president of memberships.
“These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses, they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact,” Lopez said. “Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence.”
WCC will be showcased in the 2026–2027 Guide to Military Friendly Schools® in the April issue of G.I. Jobs ® magazine and on MilitaryFriendly.com.
About Military Friendly®
Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 3,200 organizations compete annually for the Military Friendly Schools® designation. Military Friendly® is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Military Friendly® is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly® lists and methodology can be found at https://www.militaryfriendly.com.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.