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NIU awarded ‘Military Friendly Schools’ status

October 5, 2012
John Jones, associate vice president for Student Affairs, and Megan Gerken, an academic adviser in the Department of Literacy Education, enjoy a Meet the Vets Barbecue courtesy of Military Student Services.

John Jones, associate vice president for Student Affairs, and Megan Gerken, an academic adviser in the Department of Literacy Education, enjoy a Meet the Vets Barbecue courtesy of Military Student Services.

Northern Illinois University has been named to Victory Media’s coveted Military Friendly Schools® list.

The 2013 Military Friendly Schools® list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

“It is a distinction and honor for Northern to be recognized as a Military Friendly School® because we had nearly 1,000 veteran and military students who attended NIU last year,” said Scott Peska, director of Military Student Services.

In June 2012, NIU was accepted into the Servicemembers Opportunity College Consortium, and this fall NIU Undergraduate Admissions is waiving the fee for service members who can provide military documentation.

The Military Friendly Schools® media and website feature the list, interactive tools and search functionality to help military students find the best school to suit their unique needs and preferences. The 1,739 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience.

“Inclusion on the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools® shows NIU’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, director for G.I. Jobs and vice president at Victory Media. “As interest in education grows we’re thrilled to provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in their search for schools.”

Meet the Vets BBQNow in its fourth year, the 2013 list of Military Friendly School® was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 12,000 VA-approved schools nationwide.

The survey tabulation process, methodology and weightings that comprise the 2013 list were independently verified by Ernst and Young LLP. Each year, schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard than the previous year via improved methodology, criteria and weightings developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board consisting of educators from schools across the country.

“We are continually try to make NIU a more supportive and welcoming environment to our military and veteran students,” Peska said.

Events for military students are planned throughout the year, including “Tactical Tuesdays.” A full schedule of this semester’s events is available on the Military Student Services events calendar.

A full story and detailed list of 2013 Military Friendly Schools® will be highlighted in the annual G.I. Jobs Guide to Military Friendly Schools®, distributed in print and digital format to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in early October.