Austin Peay State University to be listed in Victory Media’s Guide to Military Friendly Schools
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University continues to be recognized for its dedication to veterans and active duty military students with the announcement Thursday, November 5th, 2015 that it has once again been named to Victory Media’s list of Military Friendly Schools.
“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 a 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.”
More than 20 percent of APSU students have a military connection, making the University the state’s largest provider of higher education to active duty military, veterans and their families. The University works hard to provide assistance and services to these individuals, and APSU is consistently recognized on the state and national level for itsefforts.
Earlier this year, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) designated APSU as a Veterans Education Transition Support Campus (VETS). The certification is awarded to higher education institutions that not only prioritize outreach to veterans, but also successfully deliver the services necessary to create a supportive environment where student veterans can prosper while pursuing their education.
“Austin Peay is a state and national leader in this area for us,” Dr. Russ Deaton, interim THEC director, said last May. “They are a leader in the way they partner with the local officials at Fort Campbell, with their community here, with their students and faculty and staff. They’re proactive in the way they find ways to serve veterans, find ways to offer creative ways to bring folks back into civilian life and find ways to bring them the education they need.”
The University does this through the APSU Center at Fort Campbell, the University’s Military Educational Task Force, the Student Veteran Organization and the APSU Military Student Center. In 2013, APSU partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs to create the VetSuccess on Campus program. That program put a full-time VA vocational counselor on campus to help veterans transition into student life and assist them in achieving their educational goals.
APSU also hosts a Military and Veterans Graduate Recognition Ceremony three times a year. During the ceremony, veterans, reservists and active duty military personnel are given a red, white and blue cord to wear with their cap and gown during commencement. The students are also presented with the APSU Military Coin. The University created the special coin in 2011 as a way to honor these individuals.
APSU will be listed in Victory Media’s Guide to Military Friendly Schools.
For more information about Military Friendly Schools, go online to www.militaryfriendly.com
