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Victory Media Recognizes UCM as a Top Military Friendly® School

By Jeff Murphy, November 9, 2015

WARRENSBURG, MO – A strong commitment to the men and women who serve this country has earned the ŷƵ distinction as a 2016 Military Friendly® School. While achieving this designation, UCM also became the only Missouri institution to earn special recognition as both a Top 25 Public Military Friendly® School and a Top 25 Online Military Friendly® School.

The announcement regarding UCM’s Military Friendly® designations was made by Victory Media, a leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds, and publisher of resources such as G.I. Jobs® and Military Spouse.  Now in its seventh year, the original, premier Military Friendly® Schools designation provides service members and their families with transparent, data-driven ratings about post-military education and career opportunities.

To be recognized as a Military Friendly® School, institutions had to complete 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. Data was then independently tested based upon a methodology established by Victory Media with guidance from an independent advisory board of higher education and recruiting professionals.

The Military Friendly® School designation is awarded to the top colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools in the nation that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success both in the classroom and after graduation. According to Victory Media, the methodology used for making the Military Friendly® School list has changed the student landscape to one much more transparent, and has played a significant role over the past seven years in capturing and advancing best practices to support military students across the country.

“We owe tremendous gratitude to the men and women who serve this country,” said Charles Ambrose, UCM president. “Being designated as a Military Friendly® School is a direct reflection of the value UCM places on our active duty military personnel, veterans and their families. From our staff in the Office of Military and Veteran Services to faculty and staff members throughout campus, we all support a welcoming environment that is focused on their success.”

According to Daniel Nichols, a naval Reserve veteran who also serves as chief product officer of Victory Media, “Post-secondary institutions earning the 2016 Military Friendly® School award have exceptionally strong programs for transitioning service members and spouses. 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.”

Developing good relationships with Missouri National Guard and nearby Whiteman Air Force Base, UCM’s commitment to military personnel and veterans includes the establishment of the Whiteman Advantage initiative that has led to a number of programs that help active duty military personnel who want to advance in their careers, as well as those who are preparing to make a transition to civilian life. Key elements of the Strategic Initiative Portfolio include the Military and Veterans Success Center, which opened in 2011 to provide a one-stop resource for active duty service members, veterans and military dependents. Also benefitting these individuals is the Military Tuition Package, which was established in 2011, to help reduce college costs not covered by traditional military benefits.

UCM and other 2016 Military Friendly® Schools are showcased in the annual Guide to Military Friendly® Schools, special education issues of G.I. Jobs® and Military Spouse Magazine, and on MilitaryFriendly.com.

To learn more about this recognition program, visit MilitaryFriendly.com.

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