Kent State Named Military Friendly School for Third Straight Year

G.I. Jobs has named Kent State a 2012 Military Friendly School for the third year in a row. G.I. Jobs, a premier magazine for military personnel transitioning to civilian life, distinguishes the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools doing the most to embrace military service members and veterans as students.

Kent State University at Ashtabula and Kent State University at Tuscarawas also made the list for the second time in a row.

The 2012 Military Friendly Schools list was compiled through research on more than 8,000 schools nationwide. Criteria for the list were developed with the help of an Academic Advisory Board consisting of educators from schools across the country. These criteria include the ability to recruit and retain military students.

“We’re very excited again because it shows us that some of the things we’re really working hard at are being recognized as best practices for helping veterans to succeed,” said Rachel Anderson, director of Kent State’s Center for Adult and Veteran Services. “We have a lot of programs to help them transition to campus life, and being nationally recognized motivates us to keep improving.”

The 1,518 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list consider the recruitment of military students a priority. All of the schools offer discounts and scholarships, veterans’ clubs and military credit for those who have served.

In January 2010, Kent State established the Center for Adult and Veteran Services to offer support programs and services for veterans. Open houses are held so veterans can meet each other and adjust to the new school year. The Kent State Veterans Club meets weekly and offers philanthropic and social events and activities.

Tens of billions of dollars are available to veterans through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which has inspired many schools to bring veterans into their classrooms. G.I. Jobs tries to help veterans find the right school and has incorporated a survey of current student veterans for the first time. The peer reviews aid in the decision of which school is a good match for them.

“The Military Friendly Schools list is the go-to resource for prospective student veterans searching for schools that provide the right overall experience,” said Michael Dakduk, executive director for the Student Veterans of America. “Nothing is more compelling than actual feedback from current student veterans.”

For more information about veteran programs at Kent State, visit www.kent.edu/veterans. For more information about the Center for Adult and Veteran Services, visit www.kent.edu/cavs. For more information about the Military Friendly Schools list, visit www.militaryfriendlyschools.com.

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Photo Caption:
Kent State University has been named a Military Friendly School for the third year in a row by G.I. Jobs magazine.

Media Contacts:
Rachel Anderson, raanders@kent.edu, 330-672-7933
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595