By Jeff Murphy,
December 16, 2016
WARRENSBURG, MO – Results of a national survey have contributed to a No. 3 ranking
among large public universities and a 2017 Top 10 Gold-level Military Friendly® School
Award by an organization many military members and veterans turn to when considering
choices for a higher education.
Information about the university’s achievement was released by Victory Media, originator
of the family of Military Friendly® employment, entrepreneurship and education resources
for veterans and their families.
For more than a decade, Victory Media has provided ratings to recognize companies
and colleges that demonstrate positive employment and education outcomes for military
veterans and their families. More than 200 companies and 1,200 post-secondary schools
were designated as Military Friendly®. Of those designated, 151 employers and 541
colleges or universities were recognized for excellence in different categories. Victory
Media makes information about these ratings and special awards available on its website
militaryfriendly.com.
The awards program covers public and private universities, with categories for institutions
that have less than 10,000 or more than 10,000 students. UCM was in the latter group.
Also recognized were non-traditional institutions, community colleges, private vocational
schools, online universities, graduate schools, and tier one research institutions.
Award levels consist of Top 10 Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze, depending on how the
institution was scored in the rankings. While UCM has previously been recognized as
a Military Friendly® School, this is the first time it has ranked in the Top 10 in
this recognition program.
“All of our Military Friendly® award recipients set the standard for excellence,”
said Daniel Nichols, chief product officer for Victory Media and head of Military
Friendly development. “They offer exceptional examples of what it means not just to
build a program that meets federal requirements but one that serves the military and
veteran community from classrooms to careers.”
Rankings were derived by considering an organization’s ability to meet or exceed Military
Friendly® benchmark standards in accordance with academic policies and compliance,
admissions and orientation, culture and commitment, financial aid and assistance,
graduation and career assistance, military student support and retention.
Among its many initiatives, UCM offers in-state tuition for all active duty and military
veterans and a Military Tuition Package that helps reduce costs not covered by traditional
military benefits. The university in 2011 established the Military and Veterans Success
Center to provide a one-stop resources for active duty service members, veterans and
military dependents, and a Command Pass that enables the men and women who served
this country free admission to UCM home athletic games.
Being close to Whiteman Air Force Base, UCM also has worked closely with base leaders
and personnel to build strong working relationships through collaboration.
“Our stellar Total Force team values the many community partnerships we are privileged
to enjoy here in Central Missouri,” said Brig. Gen. Paul Tibbets IV, Commander, 509th
Bomb Wing. “This includes our robust relationship with UCM, which provides exemplary
support for our Airmen and their families as they pursue their educational goals.”
Jeff Huffman, director of Military and Veteran Services, praised the contributions
of his office staff and the university’s commitment to veterans as a whole. He noted,
“The Military Friendly® designation is great for bringing additional awareness of
UCM’s exemplary military and veteran services initiative and support. It lets the
general public know what everyone on campus already knows, we have a very active and
supportive military environment. It starts at the top with President Chuck Ambrose,
who makes resources available, and extends to our faculty and staff, whose support
of the military is phenomenal.”
He also pointed out that support extends to a variety of campus units and vendors.
Intercollegiate Athletics, for example, has designated special sporting events honoring
local military personnel and made possible the Command Pass. Sodexo, the dining services
provider, offers a free breakfast to active duty military service members and veterans
during the annual Veterans Day observance.
To be considered for an award, companies and schools must have successfully completed
a 2017 Military Friendly® survey and have been designated as a 2017 Military Friendly®
School or Employer. The names of awardees are published at militaryfriendly.com and
will be printed in the December issue of G.I. Jobs® or guide to Military Friendly®
Schools.
To learn more about opportunities available at UCM in support of active duty service
members and veterans, visit ucmo.edu/vets.
