Kirkwood named Military Friendly School

G.I. Jobs magazine announced its 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools in the United States. One of the top schools in the study is Kirkwood Community College. The Cedar Rapids based two-year college reports more than 770 student-veterans enrolled for college credit classes in the past academic year.

The veterans-focused magazine publisher, Victory Media, honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools it believes are doing the most to embrace America's veterans as students.

G.I. Jobs identifies the winners based on which schools offer military students the best services, programs, discounts, scholarships, clubs, networking and staff. Support services at Kirkwood include a dedicated Veterans Lounge area in Iowa Hall, providing a spot for current and former military personnel to socialize, study and access veteran-specific resources and information as needed. The college also has a full-time liaison for its veterans and military members.

Veterans Affairs Certifying Official Vicki Terronez stated that in addition to recently discharged veterans, she often hears from new service members when Kirkwood students get called to active duty.

“Often when our veterans get deployed, they spread the word about Kirkwood to their fellow soldiers,” said Terronez. “I keep in touch with these men and women, helping them navigate the enrollment process so they can start using their military education benefits upon their return.”

Terronez offers support to students as they acclimate to the rigors of college life, but also helps them adjust to the different dynamics of civilian life. “Some of these veterans are coming home with very specific needs. We are fortunate to partner with a number of valuable community resources for veterans. It's great to work at a college that supports my efforts to provide the very best to our military students.”

Now in its fourth year, the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through research and a data-driven survey of more than 12,000 VA-approved schools nationwide, according to Victory media. Kirkwood has been recognized as a Military Friendly School all four years.

Schools on the Military Friendly Schools list also offer additional benefits to student veterans such as on-campus veterans programs, credit for service, military spouse programs and more.

A full story and detailed list of 2013 Military Friendly Schools ® will be highlighted in the annual G.I. Jobs Guide to Military Friendly Schools ®, distributed in print and digital format to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in early October. The Guide and associated media will also be featured at the Carrier Classic college basketball game on Nov. 9, between Ohio State and Marquette on the deck of the USS Yorktown. Both participating schools are on this year's list of Military Friendly Schools.