What truly defines Virginia Military Institute are the people. Cadets, faculty, and staff, both past and present, are what make it "No Ordinary College." I AM VMI will showcase the outstanding individuals who have accepted the challenges and embraced the spirit of VMI. Their perspectives provide authentic insights into life at the Institute and the value of this unique military college. 

I Am VMI: Julia Ward ’26 

• VMI Class: 2026  
• Major: Electrical & Computer Engineering  
• Hometown: Frankfort, Illinois 
• NCAA Sport: Water Polo  
• Commissioning Plans: U.S. Navy – Hoping to service select Subs  
• Other Clubs/Societies/Activities: VMI Pipes & Drums, Honor Court, Society Women’s Engineers (SWE) 

Julia Ward ’26 came to Virginia Military Institute uncertain of herself and her leadership abilities.  

“I wanted to challenge myself,” she said. “I knew I wanted to put myself in a better position as a newly commissioned officer. I figured there was no other place to take opportunities and learn to flourish. I liked the family aspect of VMI and the alumni connections that come from time spent at VMI.” 

Ward said there’s always something to do at VMI and she enjoys the busy pace. 

“Whether it is a sporting event, a debate, a dinner, a speaker, or simply just class work, it keeps you busy. I like to be active and VMI is the place for that,” she explained. “It isn’t always military either; there are plenty of clubs or activities to get engaged in the Corps.” 

She had the opportunities for engagement to help build her and others into a family, noting there’s always a group of supporters for each cadet— either with the staff, faculty, or other cadets.  

“Everyone wants you to succeed. This year strengthened that bond with a lot of people at school. I had a death of two very close people to me at the beginning of the semester that made me almost not come back for the semester. Having the support system I have here let me come back, get back on my feet, and keep leading for a deeper purpose,” she said. “I had a lot of responsibilities before leaving and I knew if I didn’t return, I would be letting a lot of people down, but I would also not be living for the two that I lost. I would not have come back if it was not for the support system of the commandant staff, my professors, and the people around me who lift me up every day.” 

VMI is rigorous, but rewarding, Ward explained. Each day brings a new set of challenges she can work through.  

"I think it has forced me to come out of my shell a lot. I have honestly fully transformed from the person I was three years ago sitting in a high school seat ready to graduate,” she said. “It is a surreal feeling to watch your dreams unfold in front of you. I have wanted to serve in the military for a while and having that dream come to life in the next year is still unreal to me, not to mention all of the experiences I have been able to have to travel, to lead, to put myself out there, and get hands on instruction is something I would not have had if I chose to go anywhere else. It’s very rare that you go to any other college and NCAA is just another thing you do because there are so many other opportunities like holding rank and cadet government that can bring experience to your time at a school.” 

The electrical and computer engineering major originally wanted to pursue mechanical engineering. When she first came to VMI, she was interested in a career in biomedical engineering after commissioning into the U.S. Navy. She saw that the electrical engineering department had more to offer in that background, so, she made a last-minute switch.  

"I have no further regrets, and I do not question my future success using a technical degree in the Navy or in industry based on the instruction I have been able to receive in the classroom,” she said. 

Ward admits that VMI has made her a more confident person.  

“It puts you in positions that force you to make hard decisions in a low-risk situation so the time that it really matters we will know how to react or step up to the plate to lead because that’s just our nature now,” she commented. 

VMI has also prepared her for her future in the Navy. She’s been able to see that during summer training for Naval ROTC, but credits the confidence boost the Institute instills to be a big factor in her future successes.  

“I think it really is the confidence we exude from our decision-making abilities and the way we interact with teams of all different backgrounds. We already know what it feels like to get beat down and build ourselves back up again,” she said. “There is a lot of resilience that comes from going here and it allows graduates to bring creative solutions to the table and to work harder than everyone in the room because the thought of failure doesn’t scare us, we just pick ourselves back up and keep going.” 

Ward said it’s been easy to fit in at VMI — no matter what, you find your people. Overall, the pride she has gained being a VMI cadet has been the best experience.  

"How hard the average person works here is tenfold above every other school,” she described. “How eager to help and get involved people are here is something that doesn’t get spoken about enough at our school, how close we are to everyone.” 

Laura Peters Shapiro
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE