The Vanguard series highlights cadets of Virginia Military Institute who exemplify promise, perseverance, and the true spirit of leadership. While they may not be the top-ranking students or those in prestigious positions, these individuals' dedication, resilience, and growth embody the essence of being a VMI cadet. By sharing their stories, including the challenges they've faced and overcome, we shine a spotlight on the diverse paths to success at the Institute, proving that leadership and excellence come in many forms.  

LEXINGTON, Va. March 23, 2026 — From staying on friends’ couches to graduating early from Virginia Military Institute, Bianca Marlang’s ’27 path has never been a straight line. She faced adversity within her family, but persevered. 

“Coming from a Filipino background, as a firstborn daughter, too, I felt trapped and not listened to. I had to make a way for myself,” she explained. “It's a lot of pressure but in that, I pulled myself up.” 

Graduating high school during COVID-19, she wasn’t on good terms with her parents. She spent much of that time bouncing back and forth to friends' houses and exploring college options.  

“I was practically homeless ... I was living with whoever would take me in, friends at the time,” she admitted. “I didn't have contact with my family for about two or three years.” 

She got to VMI thanks to her uncle's help. But she hit a wall with financial aid. Sitting outside the alumni building on the benches with her uncle, she thought there would be no way she could attend the Institute. She said with a lot of annoyance from her side, she attained enough information and assistance to figure it out.  

“I wanted to come here because of the honor system and the most important point: I like the fact that the Rat Line evens everybody out. I can come from the background that I came from, and I meet people with completely opposite backgrounds,” she stated. "It's really interesting that we're all going through the same thing, and we're all leveled out by this one adversity.” 

Col. Sara Whipple, professor in the Department of Psychology, said she met Marlang as a prospective cadet and remembers being impressed by her even then.  

"I have now had the opportunity to get to know her across multiple contexts — in class, as an advisee, and as an ambassador to the VMI Civil Discourse Initiative. Bianca takes her academic work seriously and devotes herself to a number of extracurriculars. At the same time though, she is humble and has a great sense of humor,” Whipple explained. 

Coming to VMI as a 21-year-old was intimidating. She didn’t want to be known as the old cadet. Her other college experiences prior to attending the Institute included going to Old Dominion University and community college. That ended up in her favor, having several prerequisites already completed.  

“It's been ingrained in me that education is the one thing that people can't take away from you, even at the grave. That comes with you,” she stated. 

Those extra credits also have allowed her to graduate in the spring, a year ahead of schedule. From there she plans on attending Austin Peay University in Tennessee to complete her prerequisites for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DTP) program. She hopes she can commission into the armed forces through that program.

“Bianca is the kind of student every professor hopes to see on the roster the first day of class — cheerful, curious, and unafraid to ask tough questions,” Col. Glenn Sullivan, professor in the Department of Psychology, said. 

The psychology major has already taken steps towards her medical career by being a cadet emergency medical technician (EMT). She was inspired by her mother, who is a nurse, and her uncle, who is a doctor.  

“I think seeing the Rat Line from behind the scenes and seeing everything from a third point of view is interesting,” she said. “As cadre, you're too in it, because people are yelling at you; you're yelling at people. And as a rat, it’s the same thing. But as an EMT, I kind of took a step back.” 

Marlang also serves as an ambassador for Braver Angels and the VMI Civil Discourse Initiative (CDI), which holds debates teaching civil discourse. 

“We try to get people to engage in these debates. I feel like people don't want to talk or even listen, which is what we need right now,” she explained.

As a rat, Marlang said that she began as more closed off, but her time at VMI has broadened that. 

“I think I've become more open minded because I've heard other people's points of view. It's made me stronger in my beliefs, but at the same time, it's made me more tolerable and respectful of other people's point of view,” she said. 

Whipple could see that right away. She was particularly impressed with Marlang as a rat when she spoke at one of the CDI debates.  

"Her speech was not prepared in advance but rather came out of her own interest in, and reaction to, others' thoughts,” Whipple said. “Bianca is willing to speak her mind, but she also makes a concerted effort to listen and understand others. As such, she has been an incredible leader within the VMI CDI.” 

Marlang feels the VMI system has prepared her for the future. She has noticed the changes that the Institute has instilled in her.  

“It makes you fail on purpose,” she commented. “I realized that a lot of me has changed when I went home. Normally, whenever I would get criticized or yelled at, I’d have a visceral reaction. But I kind of got used to it. I think the recovery part from failures is what VMI has helped me with a lot.” 

Describing her as highly inquisitive, not only academically, but on a personal level, Whipple said that Marlang is genuinely interested in others and knowing their stories.  

“Whenever she drops by my office, it's a welcome visit because I know that in one sitting, we can go from academic discussions to the completely inane,” Whipple continued. “She has had personal challenges during her time at VMI, but manages to keep her goals central during these times. I think that type of focus and commitment are major contributors to her perseverance. Last year she made up her mind that she wanted to graduate a year early, and she is doing it.” 

Laura Peters Shapiro
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE