UWEC places in top ranking for large public military-friendly schools
EAU CLAIRE — For the third year in a row, UW-Eau Claire is celebrating their gold-level military-friendly designation for their work with military and veteran families.
As part of an annual survey from Viqtory Media, UW-Eau Claire's gold designation means they landed in the top 20 percent of schools dedicated to making a lasting impact on the military community. The university ranked high in several categories, including support and retention, admissions and orientation, graduation and career outcomes, financial aid and loan repayment, and culture and commitment.
Miranda Cross-Schindler, military and adult services manager at UWEC, said, 'Third year in a row ... is always confirmation that we are doing everything that we should be doing to serve military connected students.
'What was more exciting this year is that we not only got gold, but we are ranked in the top 10 in the 'large public' section, which is wonderful and great; another acolyte that we are doing the best that we can above our peer schools and just confirmation that we are listening to the needs of students. These needs change as time goes on, so we have to be reactive and be responsive to what this population needs and deserves to be able to succeed at school.'
Alongside other large public universities, UWEC placed eighth overall. With 326 total military students and 184 spouses or military dependents attending the university, and possibly more receiving services, Cross-Schindler said she hopes the designation is a testament to the fact that this university really cares about understanding and serving the military-connected population.
Cross-Schindler said their university has been working with staff to ensure they know what students can get in regards to federal GI Bill benefits, which ultimately makes the students that are eligible better prepared for school.
'Our faculty and staff who support the students —we couldn't do it without them all working together,' she said. 'This is a population that has academics interrupted by active duty orders and deployments. We really work as a team together to make sure the students have a seamless transition out of the classroom to focus on military service and coming back.'
Based on student feedback, their Veteran Resource Center is something that is positively reflected on. As a place welcome to veterans on campus, the space has offered socialization and housed their offices for students to stay informed about benefits and resources.
Moving forward Cross-Schindler said that it is their interest to keep, maintain and hopefully improve their ranking, with some of the biggest metrics to focus on being graduation, career outcomes, military support and retention.
'It is a goal for the university to maintain and, if not, improve,' she said. 'I think one of the things moving forward is looking at onramps for these returning adult learners and looking at more online course offerings so we can meet these students where they are at no matter what step in their life they are at.
'It makes me very happy and I feel very fortunate to be able to witness this first hand — not only as someone who has served in the military, but someone who serves in this role now.'
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