By Jeff Murphy,
March 27, 2024
Providing staff and resources for support, the Military and Veterans Success Center,
located on the first floor of the Elliott Student Union, is a popular gathering spot
for active duty military members, veterans and military dependents at the University
of Central Missouri.
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 The 欧美视频鈥檚 continued commitment to the
men and women who serve the United States is being honored through UCM鈥檚 top-10 ranking
as a 2024-2025 Military Friendly庐 School and as a Military Spouse Friendly School.
UCM was ranked third among large U.S. public universities with over 9,000 students,
demonstrating its efforts to provide active duty military members, veterans and military
dependents meaningful and sustainable paths toward a higher education. UCM鈥檚 dedication
to military spouses was recognized in a separate category.
VIQTORY Media, an organization that provides rankings to celebrate companies and institutions
of higher education that demonstrate positive employment and education outcomes for
military personnel and their dependents, released its list of Military Friendly庐 Schools
today. This list will be published in the May issue of GIJOBS Magazine庐 and can be
found at .
Military Friendly庐 Awards provide a competitive view of how institutions compare with
similar colleges and universities. UCM鈥檚 recognition continues a string of Military
Friendly庐 Awards the institution has received during the past decade. This includes
Top 10 Gold recognition for the first time in 2017-2018, as well as Gold designations
in 2022-2023, and Silver and Bronze awards in previous years.
Award levels were determined in accordance with how the university scored overall
in an assessment that was offered at no cost to more than 8,800 institutions nationwide.
This survey included weightings in categories such as academic policies and compliance,
military support and retention, graduation and career outcomes, admissions and orientation,
culture and commitment, and financial aid and loan repayment. Results in these areas
were then combined with an assessment of the university鈥檚 ability to meet minimum
thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment and loan
default rates for all students and specifically for veteran students.
Courtney Swoboda, a U.S. Air Force veteran who serves as director of Military and Veteran Services at UCM, commented on the Military Friendly庐 rankings, noting, 鈥淭he commitment our
campus shows to our military-affiliated students and their success is truly exceptional.
It's crucial to highlight the dedication and enthusiasm of the Military and Veterans
Success Center. Without the incredible staff, this wouldn't be achievable."
UCM has a strong relationship with individuals who serve in all branches of the military.
While it is in close proximity to Whiteman Air Force Base and offers courses at the
base, it has online course and degree offerings that can reach individuals across
the globe, including those military members who may be deployed. The university also
offers in-state tuition for all active duty and military members and their dependents,
and veterans, plus a Military Tuition package that helps reduce costs not covered
by traditional military benefits. Additionally, it provides the Command Pass that
enables all military members, veterans and their immediate family members free admission
to home athletic games.
While such opportunities are ongoing, many additional efforts have been taken over
the past three years to assist individuals affiliated with the military. This includes
working on numerous projects such as updating furniture and creating a quiet study
computer lab in the Military and Veterans Success Center, a facility that was created
more than a decade ago as a one-stop resource to serve active duty military, veterans
and military dependents who are enrolled at UCM. Other initiatives include partnerships
such as becoming an AU-ABC- approved (Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative
within the Community College of the Air Force) institution, and collaboration with
departments on campus such as the Career and Life Design Center to provide opportunities
to attend job fairs and use other resources that serve military affiliates..
In addition to receiving Military Friendly庐 designations from VIQTORY Media, UCM鈥檚
dedication to active duty military members, their dependents and veterans contributed
to being recognized by other organizations, including Military Times. An organization
that provides the largest comprehensive annual ranking of higher education institutions
for military service members and veterans, Military Times named UCM among its 2023
Best for Vets: Colleges. UCM earned the highest overall rankings among all public
and private Missouri institutions. This is in addition to being ranked by U.S News
& World Report among the Best Colleges for Veterans.
For more information, contact Swoboda at 660-543-8848 or cswoboda@ucmo.edu.