The George Washington University has been designated as a 2015 “Military Friendly School” in G.I. Jobs magazine, an honor bestowed to the top 15 percent of colleges and universities that are doing the most for military and veteran students.
It is the sixth consecutive year that GW has been recognized for embracing military students and dedicating resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation.
"A ‘Military Friendly School’ proactively supports education and student services for its military and veteran students, as well as their family members, in acknowledgement of the service and sacrifice they have made on behalf of our nation,” said Vice Admiral (retired) Mel Williams, associate provost for military and veterans affairs. “GW is one of the few top 100 universities that has repeatedly earned this distinction.”
There are more than 1,350 self-identified military members, veterans and their families enrolled at GW. Since 2009, the university has participated in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that provides veterans with enhanced educational benefits. The program fully covers tuition, books and other educational expenses for undergraduate student veterans. GW increased its support for student veterans in 2013, so the Yellow Ribbon Program now also provides full funding for veterans enrolled in the law school and in most graduate programs.
GW was also one of 96 colleges nationwide chosen to participate in the VetSuccess On Campus program last year, which places a Veterans Affairs (VA) vocational rehabilitation counselor permanently on campus to assist veterans with their academic success and wellness. Roger Deason, GW’s first VetSuccess on-campus counselor, bridges the gap between veterans and the VA, providing current and prospective students with information about educational benefits, transition support services and career counseling.
This month, the university announced the hiring of two more staff members who are committed to providing student veterans and military members with support.
Victoria Pridemore will lead the Office of Military and Veteran Student Services as the office’s associate director. In this role, Ms. Pridemore will oversee both administrative and student support services. Sarah Skelton will serve as a staff clinician and veteran student services coordinator in the University Counseling Center. Both Ms. Pridemore and Ms. Skelton are veterans and members of the U.S. National Guard.
