diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/BlogController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/BlogController.php
index eefa734d..d458f46a 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/BlogController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/BlogController.php
@@ -56,13 +56,13 @@ public function show(Blog $blog)
     {
         abort_unless($blog->is_published, 404);
 
-        $blog->load('user:id,name,username,image_path');
+        $blog->load('user:id,name,username,image_path,is_verified');
         $blog->increment('views');
 
         $reactionsCount = $blog->reactions()->count();
 
         $reactors = $blog->reactions()
-            ->with(['user:id,name,username,image_path,institution'])
+            ->with(['user:id,name,username,image_path,institution,is_verified'])
             ->latest('id')
             ->limit(50)
             ->get()
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ public function show(Blog $blog)
             ->values();
 
         $comments = $blog->comments()
-            ->with(['user:id,name,username,image_path,institution'])
+            ->with(['user:id,name,username,image_path,institution,is_verified'])
             ->latest()
             ->get();
 
diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/ChatController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/ChatController.php
index cddfb34c..5be50636 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/ChatController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/ChatController.php
@@ -55,9 +55,9 @@ public function index(Request $request)
 
         // Fetch last X messages in chronological order
         $messages = ChatMessage::with([
-            'user:id,name,username,image_path,institution',
+            'user:id,name,username,image_path,institution,is_verified',
             'user.roles:id,name',
-            'reactions.user:id,name,username,image_path,institution',
+            'reactions.user:id,name,username,image_path,institution,is_verified',
             'reactions.user.roles:id,name',
         ])
             ->latest('id')
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ public function store(Request $request)
             // Log without failing response
         }
 
-        $message->loadMissing(['user:id,name,username,image_path,institution', 'user.roles:id,name']);
+        $message->loadMissing(['user:id,name,username,image_path,institution,is_verified', 'user.roles:id,name']);
 
         return response()->json([
             'id' => $message->id,
diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/ForumController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/ForumController.php
index 7b19f775..595bf0ec 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/ForumController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/ForumController.php
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ public function index(Request $request): Response
         $postsQuery = ForumPost::query()
             ->when(! ($myPosts && auth()->check()), fn ($q) => $q->approved())
             ->with([
-                'user:id,name,username,image_path,institution',
+                'user:id,name,username,image_path,institution,is_verified',
                 'subject:id,name,course,slug',
                 'node:id,name,slug',
             ])
@@ -93,16 +93,16 @@ public function show(Request $request, ForumPost $post): Response
         }
 
         $post->load([
-            'user:id,name,username,image_path,institution',
+            'user:id,name,username,image_path,institution,is_verified',
             'subject:id,name,course,slug',
             'node:id,name,slug',
         ]);
 
         $answers = $post->directAnswers()
             ->with([
-                'user:id,name,username,image_path,institution',
+                'user:id,name,username,image_path,institution,is_verified',
                 'replies' => fn ($q) => $q->with([
-                    'user:id,name,username,image_path,institution',
+                    'user:id,name,username,image_path,institution,is_verified',
                     'parent:id,user_id',
                     'parent.user:id,name,username',
                 ])->orderBy('created_at', 'asc'),
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ public function show(Request $request, ForumPost $post): Response
         $upvoters = ForumVote::where('voteable_type', ForumPost::class)
             ->where('voteable_id', $post->id)
             ->where('value', 1)
-            ->with('user:id,name,username,image_path,institution')
+            ->with('user:id,name,username,image_path,institution,is_verified')
             ->latest()
             ->get()
             ->pluck('user')
diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/NodeController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/NodeController.php
index 60197bea..0eb7861d 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/NodeController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/NodeController.php
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ public function show(Subject $subject, $path)
             : null;
 
         $upvoters = $node->upvotes()
-            ->with(['user:id,name,username,image_path,institution', 'user.roles:id,name'])
+            ->with('user:id,name,username,image_path,institution,is_verified')
             ->latest('id')
             ->limit(50)
             ->get()
diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/ResourceController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/ResourceController.php
index bf4cf797..900d8819 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/ResourceController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/ResourceController.php
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ public function show($id)
         $completionsCount = ResourceCompletion::where('resource_id', $id)->count();
 
         $completers = ResourceCompletion::where('resource_id', $id)
-            ->with(['user:id,name,username,image_path,institution'])
+            ->with(['user:id,name,username,image_path,institution,is_verified'])
             ->latest()
             ->take(10)
             ->get()
diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/UserProfileController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/UserProfileController.php
index a54c87be..17b3731f 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/UserProfileController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/UserProfileController.php
@@ -53,13 +53,13 @@ public function show(string $username)
             : false;
 
         $appreciators = $user->appreciators()
-            ->select(['users.id', 'users.name', 'users.username', 'users.image_path', 'users.institution'])
+            ->select(['users.id', 'users.name', 'users.username', 'users.image_path', 'users.institution', 'users.is_verified'])
             ->inRandomOrder()
             ->take(30)
             ->get();
 
         $appreciating = $user->appreciatingUsers()
-            ->select(['users.id', 'users.name', 'users.username', 'users.image_path', 'users.institution'])
+            ->select(['users.id', 'users.name', 'users.username', 'users.image_path', 'users.institution', 'users.is_verified'])
             ->inRandomOrder()
             ->take(30)
             ->get();
@@ -180,8 +180,8 @@ public function show(string $username)
         // Suggested / Discover community members: 2 contributors + 2 general users
         $contributorUsers = User::where('id', '!=', $user->id)
             ->whereNotNull('username')
-            ->whereHas('roles')
-            ->select(['id', 'name', 'username', 'institution', 'image_path', 'about'])
+            ->where('is_verified', true)
+            ->select(['id', 'name', 'username', 'institution', 'image_path', 'about', 'is_verified'])
             ->inRandomOrder()
             ->take(2)
             ->get();
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ public function show(string $username)
 
         $randomUsers = User::whereNotIn('id', $excludedIds)
             ->whereNotNull('username')
-            ->select(['id', 'name', 'username', 'institution', 'image_path', 'about'])
+            ->select(['id', 'name', 'username', 'institution', 'image_path', 'about', 'is_verified'])
             ->inRandomOrder()
             ->take($remainingNeeded)
             ->get();
@@ -211,7 +211,6 @@ public function show(string $username)
                 'github' => $user->github,
                 'created_at' => $user->created_at?->format('M Y') ?? '2026',
                 'is_verified' => $user->is_verified,
-                'is_staff' => $user->is_verified,
             ],
             'stats' => [
                 'questionsCount' => $questionsCount,
diff --git a/app/Http/Requests/User/StoreUserRequest.php b/app/Http/Requests/User/StoreUserRequest.php
index ab4a6a5d..82d38140 100644
--- a/app/Http/Requests/User/StoreUserRequest.php
+++ b/app/Http/Requests/User/StoreUserRequest.php
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ public function rules(): array
             'name' => ['required', 'string', 'max:255', new CleanText],
             'username' => ['nullable', 'string', 'min:3', 'max:30', 'regex:/^[a-zA-Z0-9_]+$/', 'unique:users,username', new CleanText],
             'email' => ['required', 'email', 'unique:users,email'],
+            'is_verified' => ['sometimes', 'boolean'],
             'role' => ['nullable', 'string'],
             'permissions' => ['nullable', 'array'],
             'permissions.*' => ['string', 'exists:permissions,name'],
diff --git a/app/Http/Requests/User/UpdateUserRequest.php b/app/Http/Requests/User/UpdateUserRequest.php
index dba159e7..060bf0c3 100644
--- a/app/Http/Requests/User/UpdateUserRequest.php
+++ b/app/Http/Requests/User/UpdateUserRequest.php
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ public function rules(): array
             'facebook' => ['sometimes', 'nullable', 'string', 'max:255'],
             'instagram' => ['sometimes', 'nullable', 'string', 'max:255'],
             'github' => ['sometimes', 'nullable', 'string', 'max:255'],
+            'is_verified' => ['sometimes', 'boolean'],
             'role' => ['sometimes', 'nullable', 'string'],
             'permissions' => ['sometimes', 'nullable', 'array'],
             'permissions.*' => ['string', 'exists:permissions,name'],
diff --git a/app/Models/ChatMessage.php b/app/Models/ChatMessage.php
index 3e2bf149..fb21b13c 100644
--- a/app/Models/ChatMessage.php
+++ b/app/Models/ChatMessage.php
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ public function getFormattedReactions(?int $currentUserId = null): array
                             'image_url' => $r->user->image_url,
                             'image_path' => $r->user->image_path,
                             'institution' => $r->user->institution,
-                            'is_verified' => (bool) ($r->user->is_verified || ($r->user->relationLoaded('roles') && $r->user->roles->isNotEmpty())),
+                            'is_verified' => (bool) ($r->user->is_verified ?? false),
                             'roles' => $r->user->relationLoaded('roles') ? $r->user->roles->pluck('name')->toArray() : [],
                         ];
                     })->filter()->values()->toArray(),
diff --git a/app/Models/User.php b/app/Models/User.php
index ed25af7b..866a5966 100644
--- a/app/Models/User.php
+++ b/app/Models/User.php
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
  * @property string $name
  * @property string $email
  * @property Carbon|null $email_verified_at
+ * @property bool $is_verified
  * @property string $password
  * @property string|null $remember_token
  * @property Carbon|null $created_at
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ class User extends Authenticatable
         'username',
         'email',
         'receive_emails',
+        'is_verified',
         'google_id',
         'email_verified_at',
         'banned_until',
@@ -65,17 +67,9 @@ protected static function booted(): void
 
     protected $appends = [
         'image_url',
-        'is_verified',
         'is_banned',
     ];
 
-    public function getIsVerifiedAttribute(): bool
-    {
-        return $this->relationLoaded('roles')
-            ? $this->roles->isNotEmpty()
-            : $this->roles()->exists();
-    }
-
     public function isBanned(): bool
     {
         return $this->banned_until !== null && $this->banned_until->isFuture();
@@ -109,6 +103,7 @@ protected function casts(): array
             'banned_until' => 'datetime',
             'password' => 'hashed',
             'receive_emails' => 'boolean',
+            'is_verified' => 'boolean',
         ];
     }
 
diff --git a/database/factories/UserFactory.php b/database/factories/UserFactory.php
index 30be883e..1185f4d6 100644
--- a/database/factories/UserFactory.php
+++ b/database/factories/UserFactory.php
@@ -23,10 +23,21 @@ public function definition(): array
             'email' => fake()->unique()->safeEmail(),
             'google_id' => fake()->unique()->uuid(),
             'email_verified_at' => now(),
+            'is_verified' => false,
             'remember_token' => Str::random(10),
         ];
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Indicate that the user is verified.
+     */
+    public function verified(): static
+    {
+        return $this->state(fn (array $attributes) => [
+            'is_verified' => true,
+        ]);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Indicate that the model's email address should be unverified.
      */
diff --git a/database/migrations/2026_09_01_224500_add_is_verified_to_users_table.php b/database/migrations/2026_09_01_224500_add_is_verified_to_users_table.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cc4cddaa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/database/migrations/2026_09_01_224500_add_is_verified_to_users_table.php
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+<?php
+
+use App\Models\User;
+use Illuminate\Database\Migrations\Migration;
+use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schema;
+
+return new class extends Migration
+{
+    /**
+     * Run the migrations.
+     */
+    public function up(): void
+    {
+        Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {
+            $table->boolean('is_verified')->default(false)->after('email_verified_at');
+        });
+
+        $modelHasRolesTable = config('permission.table_names.model_has_roles', 'model_has_roles');
+        $modelMorphKey = config('permission.column_names.model_morph_key', 'model_id');
+
+        if (Schema::hasTable($modelHasRolesTable)) {
+            $userIdsWithRoles = DB::table($modelHasRolesTable)
+                ->where(function ($query) {
+                    $query->where('model_type', User::class)
+                        ->orWhere('model_type', 'App\Models\User');
+                })
+                ->distinct()
+                ->pluck($modelMorphKey);
+
+            if ($userIdsWithRoles->isNotEmpty()) {
+                DB::table('users')
+                    ->whereIn('id', $userIdsWithRoles)
+                    ->update(['is_verified' => true]);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reverse the migrations.
+     */
+    public function down(): void
+    {
+        Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {
+            $table->dropColumn('is_verified');
+        });
+    }
+};
diff --git a/database/seeders/AdminSeeder.php b/database/seeders/AdminSeeder.php
index 92abb518..ecaf4a89 100644
--- a/database/seeders/AdminSeeder.php
+++ b/database/seeders/AdminSeeder.php
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ public function run(): void
             [
                 'name' => config('app.admin_name', 'ADMIN'),
                 'email_verified_at' => now(),
+                'is_verified' => true,
             ]
         );
 
diff --git a/resources/js/components/UserListItem.vue b/resources/js/components/UserListItem.vue
index 9495d9ef..e18ac111 100644
--- a/resources/js/components/UserListItem.vue
+++ b/resources/js/components/UserListItem.vue
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ const props = withDefaults(
             institution?: string | null;
             title?: string | null;
             is_verified?: boolean;
-            roles?: Array<{ id?: number; name: string }>;
         };
         theme?: 'indigo' | 'emerald' | 'rose';
         subtitle?: string | null;
@@ -30,10 +29,7 @@ const profileUrl = computed(() => {
 });
 
 const isVerified = computed(() => {
-    return Boolean(
-        props.user.is_verified ??
-        (props.user.roles && props.user.roles.length > 0),
-    );
+    return Boolean(props.user.is_verified);
 });
 
 const avatarBgClass = computed(() => {
diff --git a/resources/js/components/admin/UserRow.vue b/resources/js/components/admin/UserRow.vue
index 735cde9b..e0f24acb 100644
--- a/resources/js/components/admin/UserRow.vue
+++ b/resources/js/components/admin/UserRow.vue
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { LogIn, Pencil, Trash2, Ban } from 'lucide-vue-next';
 import { ref } from 'vue';
 import ChatBanModal from '@/components/ChatBanModal.vue';
 import StatusBadge from '@/components/StatusBadge.vue';
+import VerifiedBadge from '@/components/VerifiedBadge.vue';
 import { usePermissions } from '@/lib/usePermissions';
 
 const { can } = usePermissions();
@@ -81,6 +82,8 @@ const deleteUser = (id: number) => {
                         {{ user.name }}
                     </span>
 
+                    <VerifiedBadge v-if="user.is_verified" />
+
                     <span
                         v-if="user.id === userId"
                         class="inline-flex items-center rounded bg-indigo-50 px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[10px] font-bold text-indigo-700 uppercase dark:bg-indigo-500/10 dark:text-indigo-400"
diff --git a/resources/js/pages/Forum/Index.vue b/resources/js/pages/Forum/Index.vue
index 93627115..908d9f29 100644
--- a/resources/js/pages/Forum/Index.vue
+++ b/resources/js/pages/Forum/Index.vue
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import EmptyState from '@/components/EmptyState.vue';
 import ForumVoteButtons from '@/components/forum/ForumVoteButtons.vue';
 import Pagination from '@/components/Pagination.vue';
 import PwaInstallPrompt from '@/components/PwaInstallPrompt.vue';
+import VerifiedBadge from '@/components/VerifiedBadge.vue';
 import { useAuth } from '@/lib/useAuth';
 import { formatTimeAgo } from '@/lib/useDate';
 
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ interface User {
     image_path?: string | null;
     image_url?: string | null;
     institution?: string | null;
+    is_verified?: boolean;
 }
 
 interface NodeItem {
@@ -758,6 +760,9 @@ const timeAgo = formatTimeAgo;
                                         }}</span>
                                     </div>
                                     <span>{{ post.user.name }}</span>
+                                    <VerifiedBadge
+                                        v-if="post.user.is_verified"
+                                    />
                                 </Link>
                                 <span
                                     v-else
diff --git a/resources/js/pages/Forum/Show.vue b/resources/js/pages/Forum/Show.vue
index 1570a259..e0e8e13d 100644
--- a/resources/js/pages/Forum/Show.vue
+++ b/resources/js/pages/Forum/Show.vue
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import ForumVoteButtons from '@/components/forum/ForumVoteButtons.vue';
 import ImageViewerModal from '@/components/ImageViewerModal.vue';
 import Pagination from '@/components/Pagination.vue';
 import UserListItem from '@/components/UserListItem.vue';
+import VerifiedBadge from '@/components/VerifiedBadge.vue';
 import { useAuth } from '@/lib/useAuth';
 import { getCsrfToken } from '@/lib/useCsrf';
 import { formatTimeAgo } from '@/lib/useDate';
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ interface User {
     image_path?: string | null;
     image_url?: string | null;
     institution?: string | null;
+    is_verified?: boolean;
 }
 
 interface Subject {
@@ -755,6 +757,7 @@ function parseMentions(
                             <span v-else>{{ post.user.name.charAt(0) }}</span>
                         </div>
                         <span>{{ post.user.name }}</span>
+                        <VerifiedBadge v-if="post.user.is_verified" />
                     </Link>
                     <span
                         v-else
@@ -1047,6 +1050,7 @@ function parseMentions(
                             <span class="text-xs sm:text-sm">{{
                                 answer.user.name
                             }}</span>
+                            <VerifiedBadge v-if="answer.user.is_verified" />
                         </Link>
                         <span
                             v-else
@@ -1212,6 +1216,9 @@ function parseMentions(
                                         }}</span>
                                     </div>
                                     <span>{{ reply.user.name }}</span>
+                                    <VerifiedBadge
+                                        v-if="reply.user.is_verified"
+                                    />
                                 </Link>
                                 <span
                                     v-else
diff --git a/resources/js/pages/Node.vue b/resources/js/pages/Node.vue
index 5a89dfe7..21994123 100644
--- a/resources/js/pages/Node.vue
+++ b/resources/js/pages/Node.vue
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ const handleVote = (type: 'up' | 'down') => {
                         image_url: currentUser.value.image_url,
                         image_path: currentUser.value.image_path,
                         institution: currentUser.value.institution,
-                        roles: currentUser.value.roles,
+                        is_verified: currentUser.value.is_verified,
                     },
                     ...localUpvoters.value.filter(
                         (u: any) => u.id !== currentUser.value.id,
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ const handleVote = (type: 'up' | 'down') => {
                         image_url: currentUser.value.image_url,
                         image_path: currentUser.value.image_path,
                         institution: currentUser.value.institution,
-                        roles: currentUser.value.roles,
+                        is_verified: currentUser.value.is_verified,
                     },
                     ...localUpvoters.value.filter(
                         (u: any) => u.id !== currentUser.value.id,
diff --git a/resources/js/pages/Profile.vue b/resources/js/pages/Profile.vue
index 23de51cd..1b1ea113 100644
--- a/resources/js/pages/Profile.vue
+++ b/resources/js/pages/Profile.vue
@@ -21,14 +21,8 @@ const props = defineProps({
 const page = usePage();
 const user = computed(() => props.user || page.props.auth?.user);
 
-const hasNoRole = computed(() => {
-    if (typeof user.value?.is_verified === 'boolean') {
-        return !user.value.is_verified;
-    }
-
-    const roles = user.value?.roles;
-
-    return !roles || roles.length === 0;
+const isUnverified = computed(() => {
+    return !user.value?.is_verified;
 });
 
 const showAdvancedSettings = ref(false);
@@ -90,9 +84,9 @@ const submitForm = () => {
             </p>
         </div>
 
-        <!-- Be a Contributor Section (Only for users without roles) -->
+        <!-- Be a Contributor Section (Only for unverified users) -->
         <div
-            v-if="hasNoRole"
+            v-if="isUnverified"
             class="mb-8 overflow-hidden rounded-2xl border border-indigo-100 bg-gradient-to-br from-indigo-50/70 via-white to-violet-50/40 p-6 sm:p-8 dark:border-indigo-500/20 dark:from-gray-900 dark:via-gray-900 dark:to-indigo-950/20"
         >
             <div
diff --git a/resources/js/pages/User/Show.vue b/resources/js/pages/User/Show.vue
index b9d842ef..1d81e326 100644
--- a/resources/js/pages/User/Show.vue
+++ b/resources/js/pages/User/Show.vue
@@ -44,8 +44,6 @@ const props = defineProps<{
         github: string | null;
         created_at: string;
         is_verified?: boolean;
-        is_staff?: boolean;
-        roles?: string[];
     };
     stats: {
         questionsCount: number;
@@ -386,10 +384,7 @@ const timeAgo = formatTimeAgo;
                                 </h1>
 
                                 <VerifiedBadge
-                                    v-if="
-                                        profileUser.is_verified ||
-                                        profileUser.is_staff
-                                    "
+                                    v-if="profileUser.is_verified"
                                     size="h-5 w-5"
                                 />
                             </div>
diff --git a/resources/js/pages/admin/users/CreateOrEdit.vue b/resources/js/pages/admin/users/CreateOrEdit.vue
index bad9a8de..e3c2d71b 100644
--- a/resources/js/pages/admin/users/CreateOrEdit.vue
+++ b/resources/js/pages/admin/users/CreateOrEdit.vue
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { Head, Link, useForm } from '@inertiajs/vue3';
-import { UserPlus, Loader2, Save } from 'lucide-vue-next';
+import { UserPlus, Loader2, Save, BadgeCheck } from 'lucide-vue-next';
 import { watch } from 'vue';
 
 const props = defineProps({
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ const form = useForm({
     name: props.user?.name || '',
     username: props.user?.username || '',
     email: props.user?.email || '',
+    is_verified: Boolean(props.user?.is_verified ?? false),
     role: props.user?.roles?.[0]?.name || '',
     permissions: props.user?.permissions?.map((p) => p.name) || ['view admin'],
 
@@ -214,6 +215,59 @@ const submitForm = () => {
                 </div>
             </div>
 
+            <!-- Verified Contributor Option -->
+            <div
+                class="rounded-xl border border-slate-200 bg-slate-50/60 p-4 transition dark:border-gray-800 dark:bg-gray-800/40"
+            >
+                <div class="flex items-start justify-between gap-4">
+                    <div class="flex items-start gap-3">
+                        <div
+                            class="mt-0.5 flex h-8 w-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-lg bg-blue-50 text-blue-600 dark:bg-blue-500/10 dark:text-blue-400"
+                        >
+                            <BadgeCheck class="h-5 w-5" />
+                        </div>
+                        <div>
+                            <label
+                                for="is_verified"
+                                class="cursor-pointer text-sm font-semibold text-slate-900 select-none dark:text-gray-100"
+                            >
+                                Verified Contributor Badge
+                            </label>
+                            <p
+                                class="mt-0.5 text-xs text-slate-500 dark:text-gray-400"
+                            >
+                                Controls verified status across the platform
+                                (user badges, chat access, and contributor
+                                recognition).
+                            </p>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                    <label
+                        class="relative inline-flex shrink-0 cursor-pointer items-center"
+                    >
+                        <input
+                            type="checkbox"
+                            id="is_verified"
+                            v-model="form.is_verified"
+                            :disabled="form.processing"
+                            class="peer sr-only"
+                        />
+                        <div
+                            class="peer h-6 w-11 rounded-full bg-slate-200 peer-checked:bg-blue-600 peer-focus:ring-2 peer-focus:ring-blue-500/20 peer-focus:outline-none dark:bg-gray-700 dark:peer-checked:bg-blue-600"
+                        ></div>
+                        <div
+                            class="absolute top-[2px] left-[2px] h-5 w-5 rounded-full bg-white transition-all peer-checked:translate-x-full dark:bg-gray-200"
+                        ></div>
+                    </label>
+                </div>
+                <p
+                    v-if="form.errors.is_verified"
+                    class="mt-2 text-sm text-rose-600"
+                >
+                    {{ form.errors.is_verified }}
+                </p>
+            </div>
+
             <!-- DYNAMIC EDITOR PERMISSIONS SECTION -->
             <div
                 v-if="form.role === 'editor'"
diff --git a/tests/Feature/AdminUserListFilterTest.php b/tests/Feature/AdminUserListFilterTest.php
index dd01c6d1..ed0f0613 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/AdminUserListFilterTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/AdminUserListFilterTest.php
@@ -73,3 +73,48 @@
         ->where('filters.q', 'Dave')
     );
 });
+
+test('admin can update user is_verified status independently of roles', function () {
+    Permission::findOrCreate('edit users', 'web');
+    $admin = adminUserWithPermissions(['view admin', 'view users', 'edit users']);
+    $admin->assignRole('admin');
+
+    $student = User::factory()->create(['is_verified' => false]);
+
+    $response = $this->actingAs($admin)->patch("/admin/users/{$student->id}", [
+        'name' => $student->name,
+        'email' => $student->email,
+        'is_verified' => true,
+    ]);
+
+    $response->assertRedirect('/admin/users');
+    expect($student->fresh()->is_verified)->toBeTrue();
+
+    // Toggle back to false
+    $response = $this->actingAs($admin)->patch("/admin/users/{$student->id}", [
+        'name' => $student->name,
+        'email' => $student->email,
+        'is_verified' => false,
+    ]);
+
+    $response->assertRedirect('/admin/users');
+    expect($student->fresh()->is_verified)->toBeFalse();
+});
+
+test('admin can create user with is_verified status', function () {
+    Permission::findOrCreate('create users', 'web');
+    $admin = adminUserWithPermissions(['view admin', 'view users', 'create users']);
+    $admin->assignRole('admin');
+
+    $response = $this->actingAs($admin)->post('/admin/users', [
+        'name' => 'Verified Student',
+        'username' => 'verified_student',
+        'email' => 'verifiedstudent@example.com',
+        'is_verified' => true,
+    ]);
+
+    $response->assertRedirect('/admin/users');
+    $createdUser = User::where('email', 'verifiedstudent@example.com')->first();
+    expect($createdUser)->not->toBeNull();
+    expect($createdUser->is_verified)->toBeTrue();
+});
diff --git a/tests/Feature/UserProfileTest.php b/tests/Feature/UserProfileTest.php
index 5ee6df17..590bad22 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/UserProfileTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/UserProfileTest.php
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 use App\Models\Subject;
 use App\Models\User;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Storage;
-use Spatie\Permission\Models\Role;
 
 test('public user profile can be rendered by username', function () {
     $user = User::factory()->create([
@@ -40,10 +39,10 @@
 });
 
 test('public profile renders authored blogs when available', function () {
-    Role::create(['name' => 'editor']);
-
-    $user = User::factory()->create(['username' => 'contributor_john']);
-    $user->assignRole('editor');
+    $user = User::factory()->create([
+        'username' => 'contributor_john',
+        'is_verified' => true,
+    ]);
 
     Blog::create([
         'user_id' => $user->id,
@@ -58,7 +57,7 @@
     $response->assertOk();
     $response->assertInertia(fn ($page) => $page
         ->component('User/Show')
-        ->where('profileUser.is_staff', true)
+        ->where('profileUser.is_verified', true)
         ->where('stats.blogsCount', 1)
         ->has('blogs', 1)
         ->where('blogs.0.title', 'Calculus Masterclass')
@@ -112,18 +111,13 @@
 });
 
 test('public profile includes both contributors and random users in suggestions', function () {
-    $role = Role::firstOrCreate(['name' => 'editor']);
-
     $mainUser = User::factory()->create(['username' => 'current_user']);
 
-    $contributor1 = User::factory()->create(['username' => 'contrib_1']);
-    $contributor1->assignRole($role);
-
-    $contributor2 = User::factory()->create(['username' => 'contrib_2']);
-    $contributor2->assignRole($role);
+    $contributor1 = User::factory()->create(['username' => 'contrib_1', 'is_verified' => true]);
+    $contributor2 = User::factory()->create(['username' => 'contrib_2', 'is_verified' => true]);
 
-    $student1 = User::factory()->create(['username' => 'student_1']);
-    $student2 = User::factory()->create(['username' => 'student_2']);
+    $student1 = User::factory()->create(['username' => 'student_1', 'is_verified' => false]);
+    $student2 = User::factory()->create(['username' => 'student_2', 'is_verified' => false]);
 
     $response = $this->get('/u/current_user');
 
@@ -161,16 +155,13 @@
     );
 });
 
-test('user model computes is_verified attribute based on role presence', function () {
-    $regularUser = User::factory()->create();
+test('user model has is_verified boolean column and is single source of truth', function () {
+    $regularUser = User::factory()->create(['is_verified' => false]);
     expect($regularUser->is_verified)->toBeFalse();
 
-    $role = Role::firstOrCreate(['name' => 'editor', 'guard_name' => 'web']);
-    $staffUser = User::factory()->create();
-    $staffUser->assignRole($role);
-
-    expect($staffUser->is_verified)->toBeTrue();
-    expect($staffUser->toArray())->toHaveKey('is_verified', true);
+    $verifiedUser = User::factory()->create(['is_verified' => true]);
+    expect($verifiedUser->is_verified)->toBeTrue();
+    expect($verifiedUser->toArray())->toHaveKey('is_verified', true);
 });
 
 test('public profile returns created folders in recent activities', function () {