ASU awarded Military Friendly School status for third straight year
For the third straight year, Arkansas State University has been awarded the designation of Military Friendly School. “G.I. Jobs,” the premier magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, made the 2012 designation. The 2012 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members and veterans as students.
“I applaud individuals on our campus who have contributed to this ranking by treating our veterans especially well,” said Dr. Dan Howard, interim Chancellor at ASU. ”All of us owe a special debt of gratitude to service members who place themselves in harm’s way and to veterans who have done this previously so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we could not have otherwise. As a veteran (U.S. Army, 1971-73), I am absolutely thrilled that ASU has received this special recognition again.”
In its effort to help student veterans find the right school, G.I. Jobs incorporated a survey of student veterans for the first time. This feedback provides prospective military students with insight into the student veteran experience at a particular institution based on peer reviews from current students.
“The Military Friendly Schools list is the go-to resource for prospective student veterans searching for schools that provide the right overall experience. Nothing is more compelling than actual feedback from current student veterans,” said, Michael Dakduk, Executive Director for the Student Veterans of America. “Service members and veterans can also meet individual student veterans from the various schools virtually on the site to learn more about personal school decisions and the transition from the military to an academic environment.”
The decision regarding which university to attend became easier for military personnel and their families when Arkansas State University’s Board of Trustees passed a resolution in March 2011 to approve a change to the tuition structure for U.S. active duty military and their dependents, as well as for individuals who are honorably discharged from the military.
All active duty military and their dependents as well as honorably discharged veterans will receive the in-state tuition rate for academic courses and programs offered at the ASU System campuses located in Jonesboro, Beebe, Mountain Home and Newport, regardless of the location of the individual’s duty station or residence.
“This new tuition structure recognizes and rewards the men and women who serve our country and their dependents for the many sacrifices that they make to enable Americans to enjoy freedoms that would not be possible without their dedication, loyalty, and service,” continued Dr. Howard. “The Board of Trustees for Arkansas State University and the leadership of the ASU System and campuses believe firmly that this is an important and beneficial educational policy with positive implications for Arkansas and our country.”
The 1,518 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list prioritize the recruitment of students with military experience. These schools are making the grade by offering scholarships and discounts, veterans’ clubs, full-time staff, military credit and other services to those who served. The 2012 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board (AAB) consisting of educators from schools across the country. A full list of board members can be found at http://militaryfriendlyschools.com/Article/advisory-board/.
The ASU System is committed fully to being military and veteran friendly as exhibited by actions taken by the ASU System including services provided for and programs offered to active duty military, dependents of active duty military, and veterans. This includes the Beck PRIDE Center at ASU-Jonesboro, which provides services for wounded veterans and their families, as well as active veterans affairs and services offices at all ASU System campuses.
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