PULLMAN – WSU ranked among the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the nation that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students. This is the second consecutive year WSU has been included in the list of Military Friendly Schools published by the magazine G.I. Jobs.
The 2011 list honors state universities, private colleges, community colleges and trade schools with a priority of recruiting students with military experience. Criteria for making the Military Friendly Schools list included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran students and academic accreditations.
“Providing educational opportunities and support for these returning heroes is an important part of our mission as a public university,” said President Elson S. Floyd. “Our veterans will continue to play a central role in shaping our nation’s future, and WSU is proud to help them reach their goals.”
“The selection reflects the commitment by the administration, staff, faculty and students to ensure veterans and their families are welcomed as members of the Cougar family and are provided the support necessary to attain their academic goals” said Matthew Zimmerman, WSU veterans coordinator.
The list was compiled through research starting in April. G.I. Jobs polled more than 7,000 schools nationwide. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an academic advisory committee consisting of educators from Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Colorado State University, Dallas County Community College, Old Dominion University, Cleveland State University, Lincoln Technical Institute and Embry Riddle.
WSU’s entry in G.I. Jobs reads: “WSU provides a welcoming environment to military members by providing the support necessary to permit a smooth transition for the military to civilian college and to permit active duty military to pursue their educational goals via on-campus and online programs. Active student-led veterans programs provide a ‘community’ for veterans on campus.
“Counseling services provides the support necessary to assist military members with personal issues related to military service and the pursuit of a college degree. A dedicated veterans coordinator is on staff to assist military members in timely and personal manner.”
Derek Blumke, president of Student Veterans of America and a member of the list’s board, said: “The Military Friendly Schools list is the gold standard in letting veterans know which schools will offer them the greatest opportunity, flexibility and overall experience. It’s especially important now with so many schools competing for military students.”
A full story and detailed list of Military Friendly Schools will be highlighted in the annual “Guide to Military Friendly Schools” and on a poster, both of which will be distributed to thousands of active and former military personnel in September.
The 2011 Military-Friendly School List can be found at: www.militaryfriendlyschools.com/2011list.
G.I. Jobs is published by Victory Media, a veteran-owned business that also publishes the Guide to Military Friendly Schools, Military Spouse and Vetrepreneur magazines and annually rates the nation’s “Military Friendly Employers,” “Military Spouse Friendly Employers” and “Best Corporations for Veteran-Owned Businesses.”