Oct. 28, 2022–Two separate organizations have honored Missouri Western State University’s commitment to military-connected students this fall. Missouri Western earned the 2022-2023 Military Friendly School Silver designation from Viqtory and was named to the 2022 Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges list.
“It takes a team approach across all areas of campus to meet the particular needs of our military-connected students, whether they are veterans, active duty, reservists, spouses, or dependents,” said Chelsey Clark, director of military and veterans services. “We appreciate our veterans, and everyone from President Elizabeth Kennedy on down is committed to helping our military-connected students access their benefits and navigate the university environment. I am thrilled that the efforts of so many people are being recognized nationally.”
Missouri Western established the Center for Military and Veterans Services in 2020 to provide a single source of support and assistance to military-connected students. In addition to helping veterans navigate their education benefits and other military programs, the center provides extra-curricular programming and events to bring veterans and their families together on campus. The center also provides a lounge in Eder Hall where military-connected students can study or relax.
Missouri Western has 150 military-connected students on campus this fall.
For more information about Missouri Western’s programs for veterans and other military-connected students, visit missouriwestern.edu/military or email military@missouriwestern.edu. Details about the recent designations are below.
Military Friendly Schools
Institutions earning the Military Friendly School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 school participated in the 2022-2023 survey, with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard.
Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
“Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community,” said Kayla Lopez, national director of military partnerships for Military Friendly. “Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.”
Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges
Missouri Western was ranked 88th in the country out of 311 on the Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges list, fourth among 11 schools in Missouri and 9th among 33 schools in the Central Region (Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota).
This year’s Best for Vets: Colleges survey includes responses from more than 300 schools that answered more than 70 questions on their services and programs specific to military students — whether active-duty, veteran or families and dependents of servicemembers. Student success metrics (completion, retention, persistence, GPA) are the most important factor in determining the relative ranking of schools on this year’s list, followed closely by the range of military-specific resources and the level of financial assistance they offer. Admissions and registration policies, human resources and assorted miscellaneous considerations also factor into the scoring rubric.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.