For the second consecutive year, G.I. Jobs magazine has ranked Jackson State University in its annual list of Top Military Friendly Schools. This list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s service members and veterans as students.
“We’re honored to receive this distinction,” said Kimberly Jones-Ward, coordinator of veterans affairs in the JSU Office of Registrar and Records. “It means we take care of our student-veterans.”
Jackson State University, the only Mississippi-based Historically Black College or University to make the list, offers a variety of services for veterans, reservists and their dependents throughout the campus. The university is currently in the process of finalizing plans for its new Center for Veterans Services, which will focus on three major initiatives: recruiting, academic and career enhancement, and job placement assistance. The center also will be able to provide veterans with services that will ensure academic success.
“Veterans or military-oriented students want to know what programs schools have that will address their unique needs and concerns,” Jones-Ward said. “So we feel honored to be recognized as a school that is willing and able to serve our veterans in a unique way.”
The 2012 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide. 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. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board consisting of educators from schools across the country.
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by Spencer McClenty
spencer.l.mcclenty@jsums.edu