ASU earns ‘Military Friendly School’ accolade for 7th straight year

Arizona State University announced today that for a seventh consecutive year it has been designated as a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine.

The designation provides service members and their families with transparent, data-driven ratings about post-military education and career opportunities.

The Military Friendly accolade is awarded to the top colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students and to dedicate resources ensuring their success both in the classroom and after graduation.

“The timing of this recognition is perfect as we are in the middle of our annual Salute to Service celebration,” said Steve Borden, director of ASU’s Pat Tillman Veterans Center. “Being named a ‘Military Friendly School’ for a seventh time recognizes our consistent advancement of services and support for veterans.”

Borden said that Salute to Service is one of the major initiatives that underscores ASU’s inclusion of veterans, service members and their families, and helps the university earn this type of recognition.

“Post-secondary institutions earning the 2016 Military Friendly School award have exceptionally strong programs for transitioning service members and spouses,” said Daniel Nichols, Navy Reserve veteran and chief product officer for Victory Media, the parent company of G.I. Jobs magazine. “Our Military Friendly schools are truly aligning their military programs and services with employers to help students translate military experience, skills and training into successful careers after graduation.”

Enrollment of veterans and those still serving hit record highs for the current fall semester, said Borden. ASU has just over 4,150 student veterans, and of those nearly 500 are still serving on active duty, the Guard or reserves. Nearly 1,000 military family members are also enrolled.

“We also have increased our military online students by 40 percent in the past year,” said Borden.

Service members transitioning back to civilian life and looking to pursue their college goals are paying attention to which schools best meet their needs, and ASU is a military frontrunner, Borden said.

“We are interested in having veterans come here because we believe we’re offering what veterans are looking for,” he said. “Then we’re going to turn around and establish an environment where they can thrive.”

The Military Friendly designation validates ASU’s commitment to veterans, Borden said.

In addition to the title, ASU also made it onto two of G.I. Jobs magazine lists of the top 50 schools in the tech, telecom and diversified services industry for veterans.

“What does that mean?” said Ann Lee Ayers, regional consultant with Victory Media. “It means you have some great majors in business administration, information technology, operations and logistics, human resources, accounting, information management, science, cyber security and communications.”

Institutions competed for the Military Friendly School title by completing a survey of more than 100 questions covering 10 categories, including military support on campus, graduation and employment outcomes, and military spouse policies. Survey responses were scored against benchmarks across these key indicators of success. In addition, data was independently tested by professional services firm Ernst & Young based on weightings and methodology established by Victory Media with guidance from an independent advisory board of higher education and recruiting professionals.