Lipscomb named a top military-friendly university by Military Advanced Education
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
Lipscomb University has once again been named among the top universities in the nation for serving student veterans.
Military Advanced Education has awarded Lipscomb University the designation of a “Top Military-Friendly University” in its newly released “2015 Guide to Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities.” Other institutions joining Lipscomb on the list include Auburn University, Creighton University, Mississippi State University, UCLA and Vanderbilt University.
“We are proud to be recognized as an institution that serves veterans well,” said April Herrington, associate dean of students and director of veteran services at Lipscomb. “It is a reflection of our goal to continually improve our veterans services program. Recognition from organizations such as this is an indicator that what we offer is working and making a difference in the lives of our students.”
Factors considered in evaluating this year’s institutions for inclusion in the guide were the flexibility of online learning options, extent of transfer credits accepted by degree level, on-campus ROTC, Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges participation, on-campus active duty/veteran assistance, the support provided to the families of service members, faculty trained in veteran reintegration issues, presence on military installations and full-time counselors trained in veteran-specific mental health concerns, to name but a few. The complete list is available at www.mae-kmi.com.
“We believe the guide serves as an invaluable tool for both education services officers and transition officers when advising service members about their educational opportunities,” said Kelly Fodel, MAE’s editor.
The guide presents results of a questionnaire on the military-supportive policies enacted at more than 600 institutions including private, public, for-profit, not-for-profit, four-year and two-year colleges. From community colleges to state universities, online universities and nationally known centers of higher learning, MAE’s 2015 Guide to Colleges & Universities provides students with information about institutions that go out of their way to give back to our men and women in uniform.
This is the latest recognition for Lipscomb’s veterans services program.
This fall, Lipscomb University was ranked the second-best regional university in the South for veterans in U.S. News and World Report’s “2015 American’s Best Colleges” guidebook. A total of 42 universities were included in this list. It was also named a military-friendly school for the fifth consecutive year by “GI Jobs,” a publication of Victory Media, for its veterans services program.
In September, Lipscomb was included in the 201 Military Friendly Schools® list, which honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that provide services and programs to ensure that military service members, veterans, their spouses and dependents are successful on campus. This is the sixth year Lipscomb has been included in the list.
Since its inception, Lipscomb’s veterans services program has grown from 20 original participants in the university’s Yellow Ribbon Program to more than 200 veterans enrolled this fall and growing. Students have performed well academically with 71 percent of currently enrolled student veterans maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA, and 13 percent of those maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Lipscomb University offers a variety of programs and services for veterans. Veterans who qualify for 100 percent of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are able to earn, through the Yellow Ribbon Program, an undergraduate degree or a graduate business degree — a Master of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy or Master of Human Resources — tuition free.
For more information about the veterans services program, visit veterans.lipscomb.edu.