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PennWest News
September 17, 2024
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
PENNWEST EARNS NATIONAL MILITARY FRIENDLY HONOR
Viqtory, Inc. grants PennWest Gold status for supporting military
students
September 17, 2024
Pennsylvania Western University has again earned national recognition for
providing military service members, veterans and their families with a first-rate
post-secondary education.
This month, PennWest was granted the Gold
distinction in the 2024-2025 Military Friendly® Schools list after earning top
measurements in engaging prospective military students, educating military
students and providing the students with meaningful employment.
PennWest’s Office of Military and Veteran Success supports students who
receive education benefits and provides a broad range of free services to
eligible veterans, their families, and significant others through the Department
of Veteran Affairs and in conjunction with PennWest’s Counseling Center.
"It is the mission of PennWest University and the Office of Military and
Veteran Success to provide caring and individualized support for veterans,
military members and their families,” said Dr. Cory Shay, director of Military
and Veteran Success. “Our goal is to help provide guidance and support for
them to make a smooth transition to PennWest and provide them with
ongoing support and resources throughout their academic journeys."
Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated
using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More
than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-2025 survey with 537 earning
special awards for going above the standard.
Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input
from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the
higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were
determined by combining the institution's survey responses, input from
student veterans, and government/agency public data sources within a logicbased scoring assessment.
Military Friendly® analysts measure each institution’s ability to meet and
exceed satisfactory thresholds in retention, graduation, job placement,
repayment, persistence and loan-default rates for student-veterans.
“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent datadriven standards in our designation process,” said Kayla Lopez, national
director of Military Partnerships for Military Friendly®. “Our standards provide a
benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better
the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community.
This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve
and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards
designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that
standard.”
Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small
business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian
employment and educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I.
Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands.
In addition to supporting veterans and their families, PennWest ROTC
programs at the Clarion and Edinboro campuses allow potential Second
Lieutenants to earn their undergraduate or graduate degrees and
simultaneously develop skills for the U.S. Army.
Students enrolled in the programs receive instruction in the fundamentals of
leadership with emphasis on self-discipline, integrity, confidence and
responsibility.
For more information about PennWest’s commitment to military students on
campus and beyond, visit pennwest.edu/success/military-veteran-support or
contact the Office of Military and Veteran Success at 814-732-1589
or veterans@pennwest.edu.
September 17, 2024
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
PENNWEST EARNS NATIONAL MILITARY FRIENDLY HONOR
Viqtory, Inc. grants PennWest Gold status for supporting military
students
September 17, 2024
Pennsylvania Western University has again earned national recognition for
providing military service members, veterans and their families with a first-rate
post-secondary education.
This month, PennWest was granted the Gold
distinction in the 2024-2025 Military Friendly® Schools list after earning top
measurements in engaging prospective military students, educating military
students and providing the students with meaningful employment.
PennWest’s Office of Military and Veteran Success supports students who
receive education benefits and provides a broad range of free services to
eligible veterans, their families, and significant others through the Department
of Veteran Affairs and in conjunction with PennWest’s Counseling Center.
"It is the mission of PennWest University and the Office of Military and
Veteran Success to provide caring and individualized support for veterans,
military members and their families,” said Dr. Cory Shay, director of Military
and Veteran Success. “Our goal is to help provide guidance and support for
them to make a smooth transition to PennWest and provide them with
ongoing support and resources throughout their academic journeys."
Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated
using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More
than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-2025 survey with 537 earning
special awards for going above the standard.
Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input
from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the
higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were
determined by combining the institution's survey responses, input from
student veterans, and government/agency public data sources within a logicbased scoring assessment.
Military Friendly® analysts measure each institution’s ability to meet and
exceed satisfactory thresholds in retention, graduation, job placement,
repayment, persistence and loan-default rates for student-veterans.
“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent datadriven standards in our designation process,” said Kayla Lopez, national
director of Military Partnerships for Military Friendly®. “Our standards provide a
benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better
the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community.
This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve
and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards
designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that
standard.”
Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small
business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian
employment and educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I.
Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands.
In addition to supporting veterans and their families, PennWest ROTC
programs at the Clarion and Edinboro campuses allow potential Second
Lieutenants to earn their undergraduate or graduate degrees and
simultaneously develop skills for the U.S. Army.
Students enrolled in the programs receive instruction in the fundamentals of
leadership with emphasis on self-discipline, integrity, confidence and
responsibility.
For more information about PennWest’s commitment to military students on
campus and beyond, visit pennwest.edu/success/military-veteran-support or
contact the Office of Military and Veteran Success at 814-732-1589
or veterans@pennwest.edu.