Victory Media has selected APSU as a 2016 Military Friendly school. The annual award is given to post-secondary schools across the nation who make significant investments to create a welcoming environment for military students and their families.
Being designated as a 2016 Military Friendly school highlights APSU as a school that has programs and services designed to help military students succeed in college. Schools are graded on criteria such as academic credibility, graduation rates and military student support.
According to apsu.edu, over 20 percent of APSU’s student body is military-related and APSU offers several unique services to active duty soldiers, veterans and their families, such as the Yellow Ribbon Program and the Military Student Center located on the first floor of the Morgan University Center.
The Military Student Center, or MSC, began operation in 2010 and provides personalized attention for APSU’s military population.
The MSC runs the Texts for Vets and Tech for Vets programs which allow APSU students to donate used books and graphing calculators to vets.
“I personally think that the challenges [military students] face are very similar to other students; they have to manage jobs, school and family just like many other students at APSU,” said MSC Coordinator Jasmin Linares. “On the other side, what they bring to the table is a different type of life experience, which can be used to the benefit of the classes they attend.”
Linares said she hopes to continue helping military related students by focusing on maintaining high student retention and graduation rates.
The MSC and the Office of Veterans Affairs honor all graduating active duty soldiers and veterans at the “All Hail to Those Who Serve” ceremony, where military students are awarded a custom bronze coin and unique honor cords to be worn at graduation.
Other organizations have also recognized APSU for its focus on helping military students succeed. Military Advanced Education designated APSU as one of its “Top Military-friendly Colleges & Universities” for 2015 and Military Times listed APSU on its “Best For Vets” guide.
Earlier in the year, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission certified APSU as a Veterans Education Transition Support Campus.
VETS campuses are institutions which “not only prioritize outreach to veterans, but also successfully deliver the services necessary to create a supportive environment where student veterans can prosper while pursuing their education.”
