ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – College of The Albemarle (COA) is pleased to announce its designation as a 2026–2027 Military Spouse Friendly® School, recognizing the college’s ongoing commitment to serving military spouses through accessible educational opportunities, personalized support services and career-focused resources.
COA has been designated as a Military Spouse Friendly® School for five consecutive years: 2022–2023, Designated Friendly; 2023–2024, Designated Friendly; 2024–2025, Top Ten, No. 3 Small Community College; 2025–2026, Designated Friendly; and 2026–2027, Designated Friendly. The College has also been designated as Military Friendly® for six consecutive years.
Institutions earning the Military Spouse Friendly® School designation are evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey that assesses an institution’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful opportunities for military spouses and their families. The designation recognizes schools that demonstrate leading practices, positive outcomes and effective programs that support the military-connected community.
“Supporting military spouses means creating opportunities that allow them to thrive wherever life takes them,” said Kris Burris, COA Vice President of Student Success and Enrollment Management. “College of The Albemarle is proud to provide flexible, student-centered pathways that help military spouses gain new skills, earn credentials and prepare for meaningful careers. This recognition reflects our continued commitment to ensuring military spouses have access to the education, resources and support they need to achieve their goals.”
“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. These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses, they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact. Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence.”
— Kayla Lopez, Vice President of Memberships, Military Friendly®
For more information about COA’s military and veteran programs, visit www.albemarle.edu/military or contact Robyn Gram, COA Military Liaison, at [email protected] or 252-335-0821, ext. 2258.
For all other inquiries or media requests, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, COA Director of Communications and Marketing, at [email protected] or 252-335-0821, ext. 2420.
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About College of The Albemarle
College of The Albemarle (COA) serves as the regional community college for Northeastern North Carolina, fostering educational excellence at the heart of the communities we proudly serve. With a rich and expansive history, COA offers accessible, high-quality education to students across Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties. Our four campuses, strategically located throughout the region, reflect our commitment to student success. At COA, we empower individuals, transforming lives and shaping the future of our region. Discover your potential with College of The Albemarle, where education meets opportunity.
About Military Friendly® Schools
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 2,900 organizations compete annually for the Military Friendly® 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.