Disabled Veteran And Cancer Survivor Patrina Ross Adds Virginia State University Graduate To Her List Of Triumphs

After overcoming PTSD, breast cancer, and personal loss, Ross will graduate from VSU with a 3.96 GPA.

Patrina Ross carries many titles: veteran, breast cancer survivor, wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt. On Saturday, May 16, she will add Virginia State University graduate to that list.

Before attending VSU, Ross was a chef in the Army for 20 years, completing three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. On her very first deployment to Iraq, her base was attacked. Forced to retreat to a bunker, Ross could hear the bombs whistling around her.

“It was a long night,” Ross remembered. “A lot of soldiers were scared because they thought they were going to die.”

During her final deployment, Ross said her base was attacked daily. Somehow, she always managed to make it home safely, but the effects of war and being in severe danger took a toll on her. Even after being diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Ross remained in the Army as an instructor.

However, the fight wasn’t over for Ross. In 2017, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Though she underwent surgery to remove the cancer, her battle continues to this day, requiring a daily chemotherapy pill.

Ross retired from the Army in 2019 after 20 years of service and was honorably discharged. She later served as an ROTC instructor at a Virginia high school before deciding to return to school.

According to Ross, she first learned about Virginia State University through a friend who knew of the University’s reputable Hospitality Management program. Given her background as a chef in the Army, Ross saw it as the perfect opportunity to earn her degree and stay close to home.

Returning to school was anything but easy for Ross. Both of her nieces passed away during her first semester. Overwhelmed by grief and the lingering effects of PTSD while balancing full-time coursework, Ross didn’t know if she could continue. That was when Ross decided to reach out to the Student Accessibility Office, which assists students with identified disabilities and documented need for additional support.

“Losing my nieces was devastating,” Ross said. “I had a lot of emotions at the time, and it was a lot to deal with being back in school. It was hard, but the accessibility office helped me out. They made me feel a lot better, and I’m extremely grateful for that.”

Many people in Ross’s position might have given up, but she made it her goal to earn her degree in honor of her nieces. With support from resources like the VSU Academic Center for Excellence, Ross not only persisted but is graduating with a 3.96 GPA. Her journey reflects the power of purpose and determination.

“I want people to understand that no matter all the obstacles that come your way or how bad things seem, never give up,” Ross said.

Ross will be among approximately 850 graduates receiving their degrees during Virginia State University’s two Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, at the VSU Multi-Purpose Center, with Governor Abigail Spanberger and Attorney General Jay Jones serving as keynote speakers. Both ceremonies will be live-streamed on the University’s YouTube and Facebook pages.