MIDLAND, MICHIGAN, Nov. 9, 2015 – Northwood University, the premier, specialty business university based in Midland, Michigan, has been ranked among the best colleges for veterans by Military Times. The Best for Vets: Colleges 2016 rankings factor in the results of Military Times’ annual survey, which includes a comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services, as well as academic achievement. The publication evaluates numerous factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families. More than 600 colleges took part in this year’s detailed survey.
Military Times’ annual Best for Vets: Colleges survey asks colleges and universities to meticulously document a tremendous array of services, special rules, accommodations, academic outcomes and financial incentives, among other considerations, offered to students with military ties; and to describe many aspects of veteran culture on a campus. The publication also factors in data from the Veterans Affairs and Defense Departments, as well as three Education Department sources: the IPEDS Data Center, College Scorecard data and the Cohort Default Rate Database.
For the full Best for Vets: Colleges 2016 rankings, visit: www.militarytimes.com/bestforvets-colleges2016. The rankings are published in full in the issues of Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times, and online at MilitaryTimes.com, ArmyTimes.com, NavyTimes.com, AirForceTimes.com and MarineCorpsTimes.com.
Northwood University also is participating in the “8 Keys to Veterans’ Success,” a voluntary initiative through the U.S. Departments of Education, Veterans Affairs, and Defense that highlights specific ways colleges and universities can support veterans and service members. The program’s eight steps assist veterans and military personnel with transitioning to higher education, completing their college degrees or training and obtaining career-ready skills.
The 8 Keys include:
- Creating a culture of trust and connectedness across the campus community to promote well-being and success for veterans.
- Ensuring consistent and sustained support from campus leadership.
- Implementing an early alert system to ensure all veterans receive academic, career, and financial advice before challenges become overwhelming.
- Coordinating and centralizing campus efforts for all veterans, together with the creation of a designated space for them (even if limited in size).
- Collaborating with local communities and organizations, including government agencies, to align and coordinate various services for veterans.
- Utilizing a uniform set of data tools to collect and track information on veterans, including demographics, retention, and degree completion.
- Providing comprehensive professional development for faculty and staff on issues and challenges unique to veterans.
- Developing systems that ensure sustainability of effective practices for veterans.
As part of the university’s ongoing effort to support military veterans and servicemen and women, Northwood University offers an exclusive tuition discount benefit for qualified candidates pursing their undergraduate degree from Northwood University’s Adult Degree Program.
Northwood University has been recognized by Victory Media as a Military Friendly® School for four consecutive years, since 2012. Northwood student Victor Cruz also was awarded the Junior Sailor of the 4th Quarter and Junior Sailor of the year for 2014 for Naval Air Station Fort Worth JRB. And, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) recently ranked Northwood University as a Certified Veteran-Friendly School at the Silver level in its Veteran-Friendly School program.
The global, free-enterprise business school has nearly 500 enrolled military, veteran and family members annually in its programs at 22 locations and has graduated more than 2,200 military connected students over the years. Students can take courses at the university’s campus in Michigan, at one of its Adult Degree Program centers nationwide and its online Distance Education Program. For over 40 years Northwood University has also provided education programs for the active military starting at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan, and then expanding to bases in New Orleans, and Fort Worth, Texas.
For more information on Northwood University visit www.northwood.edu or call 800.622.9000.
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The Military Times digital platforms and newsweeklies are the trusted source for independent news and information for service members and their families. The military community relies on Air Force Times, Army Times, Marine Corps Times, and Navy Times for reporting on everything important to their lives, including: pay, benefits, finance, education, health care, recreational resources, retirement, promotions, product reviews, and entertainment. Military Times is published by Sightline Media Group. To learn more, visit www.militarytimes.com.
