[94] MTSU Makes 'Military Friendly Schools' list for third time

For release:  Sept. 21, 2012

 News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu

Office of the Registrar contact: Cathy Kirchner, 615-898-5814 or Cathy.Kirchner@mtsu.edu

 

MURFREESBORO — Bolstered by the first-year VetSuccess on Campus program and all-round quality service, MTSU once again is considered one of the top Military Friendly Schools in the country in the 2013 list announced by G.I. Jobs magazine.

 It marks the third consecutive year the university has made the list. The 2013 Military Friendly Schools list can be found at http://www.militaryfriendlyschools.com.

This year’s list, announced Sept. 18, recognizes the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the nation that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus, according to the magazine.

 “MTSU is truly a military friendly campus,” said Cathy Kirchner, registrar in the Office of Records. “As the first school in Tennessee with a VetSuccess representative on campus, MTSU offers more services for those with military service and their families than ever before.”

 “We’re proud to be on the list, and proud that so many of our veterans choose MTSU as their university home,” said Dr. Deb Sells, vice president of student affairs. “We’ve made significant progress in identifying and responding to their needs, and look forward to finding new ways to support them in the coming years.”

This fall, MTSU has 1,005 students, including dependents, using GI benefits and at least 1,040 students on campus who have military service or are dependents using GI benefits, Kirchner said. For fall 2011, MTSU had 1,038 students receiving GI benefits.

Full-time staff members Ray Howell and Gerry Craig and six student workers assist veterans. For information on MTSU’s services for veteran students, visit www.mtsu.edu/military and http://www.mtsu.edu/records/vets.php, or call 615-898-2600. 

“A school’s inclusion on the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools shows commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, vice president at Victory Media and director for G.I. Jobs.

 

Kirchner said for years MTSU administrative staff and faculty have worked behind the scenes to address the needs of students with military service. In 2011, a university standing committee, the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, was formed.

The committee is comprised of one faculty member from each academic college; one representative each from the University College Advising Center, admissions, business office, counseling services registrar/Veterans Affairs office and ROTC; a representative from the students’ Blue Raider American Veterans Organization and faculty adviser; two veterans memorial committee representatives and one student appointed by the Student Government Association.

 The VetSuccess on Campus program is a collaborative effort between MTSU and the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs with the purpose of providing a supportive, on-campus environment where students with military service may gather to obtain assistance and peer support.

 

Heather Conrad, the VetSuccess on Campus counselor at MTSU now in Keathley University Center Room 124, meets one-on-one with veterans to find solutions to problems, answer questions and to connect them to needed services in the community such as the Veterans Recovery Center or the VA Medical Center, Kirchner said. To contact Conrad, call 615-898-2974 or email heather.conrad@va.gov.   

 “Vocational counseling and testing is an important service offered by our Vet Success rep to assist veterans to choose a VA program and MTSU degree program so that veterans will graduate and enter a career that meets their interests,” Kirchner said. “It’s one more way that we can support our students along the academic path toward graduation.”

 Leaders at the national level encourage mentoring and tutoring programs for veterans at each VetSuccess school, Kirchner said.

“This is a project we will be working on in the months ahead,” she said “In fact, representatives from VetSuccess schools across the country visit via conference call each month to share ideas and discuss campus initiatives. This gives us a great support network with our colleagues from across the country.”

Kirchner said some of our most recent initiatives include scheduled workshops, “How to be a Successful Veteran” and “Getting Ready for Spring 2013 Early Registration.”

 For students receiving GI benefits, faculty provide academic progress in the MTSU Academic Alert self-service portal at least twice during the term. This past summer members of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee participated in new student orientation. 

In October, the Veterans Affairs staff will move next door to the VetSuccess’ Conrad as part of the Military Center in KUC Room 128, Kirchner said, adding that this will become a one-stop shop for MTSU students with military service.

“We anxiously anticipate the opening of the new Veterans’ Lounge and what we currently are calling the Military Veterans’ one-stop-shop on campus,” said Dr. Tony Johnston, School of Agribusiness and Agriscience professor and Military Committee chairman.

“We’ve got a dedicated group of veteran and veteran-supporting faculty and staff on campus who have done an awful lot for our veteran students,” Johnston added. “I work with a great group of people on this.”

 

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Photo captions

 

D’Juan Burton.jpg caption

 

D’Juan Burton, left, an MTSU senior business management major, receives assistance from Ray Howell, a veterans’ coordinator in the records office. Burton served in the U.S. Air Force Air National Guard. (Photo by MTSU News and Media Relations)

 

Howell and veterans.jpg caption

 

MTSU senior business management major and veteran D’Juan Burton, left, views some paperwork while receiving assistance from Ray Howell, seated, and Gerry Craig, standing left. Observing are fellow veterans Jessica Pierson, senior and a U.S. Army veteran now in the Army National Guard and Stephen Porch, who is a junior geology major. (Photo by MTSU News and Media Relations)

 

 

 

 

 

 

               The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU begins its second century of service, Pride, Tradition and Excellence remain the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! For MTSU news and information any time, visit www.mtsunews.com.

 

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For MTSU news and information any time, visit www.mtsunews.com.