LIMA — The University of Northwestern Ohio has announced that it has been designated a 2016 Military Friendly School by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds, and publisher of G.I. Jobs®, STEM JobsSM and Military Spouse. This honor ranks UNOH in the top 15 percent of all colleges, universities, and trade schools nationwide. This is the seventh consecutive year that the University of Northwestern Ohio has received this distinction. 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.
Institutions competed for the elite Military Friendly School title by completing a survey of over 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. In addition, data was independently tested by EY (Ernst & Young) based upon the weightings and methodology established by Victory Media with guidance from an independent Advisory Board of higher education and recruiting professionals. A full list of board members can be found at www.MilitaryFriendly.com/advisory-board.
The Military Friendly Schools designation is awarded to the top colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success both in the classroom and after graduation. The methodology used for making the Military Friendly Schools list has changed the student veteran 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.
The UNOH Military Relations Department started in 2001. The department provides a one-stop shop to all military, veterans, and spouses, and assists with scheduling, financial aid, counseling, and customer service. About 40 percent of UNOH military students utilize the university’s online learning options which can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
The University has always been proud to be a strong supporter of all servicemen and women. Randy Gonzalez, UNOH Director of Enrollment Advising, and Randy Gasser UNOH Military Relations Coordinator, are both retired veterans and work with all branches of the United States Armed Forces assisting them with the enrollment process toward their chosen career path. According to Dr. Jeffrey A. Jarvis, President of the University of Northwestern Ohio, “Being nationally recognized again as a Military Friendly School is a fantastic honor. We are proud of our decision in January 2009 to lower tuition below the Federal Tuition Assistance (TA) rate. We maintain that lowered tuition rate to this day. Higher education is now affordable and available to all the young men and women who serve our country. All active duty military, Guard and Reserve, Veterans, along with their spouses and dependents, are eligible for the UNOH Military tuition rate and/or the UNOH Military Scholarship. We want to do everything we can to help servicemen and women better their lives through education.”
“Post-secondary institutions earning the 2016 Military Friendly School award have exceptionally strong programs for transitioning service members and spouses,” said Daniel Nichols, Chief Product Officer of Victory Media and Navy Reserve veteran. “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.”
UNOH is a member of SOC Consortium, Military Spouse Career Advancement Account Program, GoArmyEd and Virtual Army. UNOH accepts military transcripts (AARTS, SMART, etc.) and honors credit equivalencies defined by the American Council on Education (ACE) for military course work, experience, and testing programs such as CLEP and DANTES. UNOH also has an on-campus military support group Operation H.U.M.V.E.E which stands for Helping Understand Men & Women Veterans Entering into Education and a UNOH Chapter of the Student Veterans of America (SVA).
The American Legion, the nation’s largest wartime veterans’ organization, declared the University of Northwestern Ohio as an “Education Partner of the American Legion,” and offers $20,000 per year in scholarship monies for surviving children or grandchildren of a United States Armed Forces member who died as a result of hostile action (KIA) or who is officially listed as missing in action (MIA). Scholarships are need based and will be placed in the UNOH Scholarship Fund prior to the award of that year’s scholarship award winners.
For more information about how UNOH works with military veterans and their spouses and dependents, visit: http://www.unoh.edu/offices/military/index.shtml. UNOH will be showcased along with other 2016 Military Friendly Schools in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools, special education issues of G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse magazine, and on www.MilitaryFriendly.com.
