ASU awarded Military Friendly Schools title for 4th straight year
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University has been named to the coveted Military Friendly Schools® list for 2013 by Victory Media, which focuses on assisting military personnel transitioning into civilian life. The list honors the top 15 percent of U.S. colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.
“This semester, there are approximately 450 veterans attending A-State and receiving educational benefits through the Montgomery G.I. Bill,” according to Kathy Mathes in the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration. As the school certifying official, Mathes assists veterans, spouses and dependents with obtaining benefits and helps evaluate military credits for conversion to college credits. She also works with personnel in the National Guard and Reserves.
The Military Friendly Schools® media and website, found at http://www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, feature the list, interactive tools, and search functionality to help military students find the best school to suit their particular needs and preferences. The 1,739 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience.
“Inclusion on the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools® shows Arkansas State’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, director for G.I. Jobs and vice president at Victory Media. “As interest in education grows, we’re thrilled to provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in their search for schools.”
Also at A-State, the Beck PRIDE Center for America's Wounded Veterans has provided an array of services to approximately 500 veterans and family members since its inception in October 2007. The services provided by the Center focus on the veteran's personal rehabilitation, individual development, and education (the basis for the PRIDE acronym).
“Currently, the Beck PRIDE Center has 150 active participants, with approximately one third of those enrolled in higher education,” according to Sandra Worlow, director of the Center. “During the 2011-12 academic year, eight Beck PRIDE participants received a bachelor’s degree from ASU. Those of us at the Center are very proud of the assistance we can provide in helping the veterans achieve their educational goals."
In 2011, Arkansas State University’s Board of Trustees adopted a policy providing that active duty military and their dependents, as well as individuals who are honorably discharged, are eligible for the in-state tuition rate at all ASU System campuses, regardless of residency or duty station.
Now in its fourth year, the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools® was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 12,000 VA-approved schools nationwide. Each year schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard, developed with assistance from an Academic Advisory Board, a listing of which can be found at http://militaryfriendlyschools.com/board.
A story and detailed list of 2013 Military Friendly Schools® will be highlighted in the annual G.I. Jobs Guide to Military Friendly Schools®, distributed in print and digital format to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in early October.
Victory Media’s lists also are published in Military Spouse and Vetrepreneur magazines.
For more information, contact Kathy Mathes in the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration, rmathes@astate.edu or (870) 972-3024, or Sandra Worlow, director of the Beck PRIDE Center, ssworlow@astate.edu or (870) 972-2624.
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