Veterans enroll at Kent State in significant numbers.

Kent State University ranks first among Northeast Ohio universities for enrolling student-veterans, according to a new report. The state of Ohio's December report on the GI Promise ranks Kent State third overall (behind Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati) in the state for enrolling student veterans and tied for second for the largest number of student veterans who receive GI Promise scholarships.

The GI Promise report ranks 35 Ohio universities and community colleges for total number of student-veterans and for veterans receiving GI Promise assistance. More information on the Ohio GI Promise is available at http://uso.edu/opportunities/ohioGIpromise/index.php.

"Kent State is tops among Northeast Ohio institutions for enrolling student-veterans," says Rachel Anderson, director of Kent State's Center for Adult and Veteran Services. "We are extremely proud of this accomplishment, and we plan to continue our leadership in service and outreach to veterans."

The Ohio GI Promise was created in 2008, and together with the creation of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services and the signing of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, it represented the most significant expansion of benefits and services for veterans in Ohio since the end of World War II. Today, Kent State, the Board of Regents and the University System of Ohio are working with stakeholders across the state to ensure that veterans in Ohio are given every opportunity to achieve the promise of a higher education.

"Kent State really strives to be a veteran-friendly institution of higher learning, and the recent numbers speak for themselves," says Cliff Payne, director of Ohio GI Promise. "We're excited about what Kent State has done, and we look for more good things to come from them in the future."

Kent State has been recognized for its service and outreach to veterans by being named a Military Friendly School for 2011 by G.I. Jobs magazine. The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America's veterans as students. Kent State was also on the Military Friendly Schools list last year, the first year it was published. Kent State University at Ashtabula and Kent State University at Tuscarawas also made this year's list.

Kent State established the Center for Adult and Veteran Services in January 2010 to administer support programs and services for veterans. The center offers one-on-one assistance to veterans to help as they adapt to college life. Open houses are offered at the beginning of each semester for veterans to meet each other and prepare for the school year, and an adult-student orientation course is geared specifically toward veterans. The Kent State Veterans Club meets weekly and offers many social and philanthropic events and activities.

For more information about veteran programs at Kent State University, visit www.kent.edu/veterans.

For more information about the Center for Adult and Veteran Services, visit www.kent.edu/cavs.

By Bob Burford