CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO – For the sixth straight year, Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has included Southeast Missouri State University on its list of Military Friendly® Schools.
The 2015 Military Friendly® Schools list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.
“As a veteran, finding a university that is Military Friendly® is critical for a successful transition out of service toward continuing education,” said Jared Bush-Howe, a Southeast student from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri who served in the U.S. Army.
The Military Friendly® Schools media and website, militaryfriendlyschools.com, features the list, interactive tools and search functionality to help military students find the best school to suite their unique needs and preferences. The colleges, universities and trade schools on the 2015 list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience.
“Receiving the Military Friendly® Schools award further validates our continuing mission to assist this very important population,” said Jeremy McBroom, director of the Office of Military and Veteran Services at Southeast Missouri State. “It places us among the best in the nation when it comes to supporting our military and veterans with quality programs and assistance.”
On Oct. 4, the Office of Military and Veterans Services hosted an open house to celebrate the opening of the office’s new location in the University Center, Room 302, at Southeast.
According to McBroom, the goal of the open house was to showcase how the Office of Military and Veterans Services assists the military and veteran population at Southeast.“As a military student it is extremely important to attend a Military Friendly® school because you are amongst other people who know and understand you and are willing to assist in whatever ways possible,” said Jasmine Lewis, a Southeast student from St. Louis, Missouri, and a member of the Army National Guard.
A key component of that assistance is a special tuition rate that Southeast offers for eligible, non-Missouri residents who are Service Members or veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. These individuals, including members of the National Guard or Reserves, their spouses and dependents, are charged an incidental fee rate equal to the in-state incidental fee rate. This special fee rate underscores Southeast’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military-affiliated students and assists in repaying them for service to our country. For more information on this rate, visit http://www.semo.edu/veterans/.
Southeast’s Office of Military and Veterans Services, which recently relocated from Brandt Hall, includes eight work stations, with computers for studying, an entertainment lounge, a concession area serving coffee and light snacks, office spaces for visiting professional counselors, and Veterans Affairs education benefits certification.
The Office not only assists military and veteran students, but also their dependents. Great care is taken to provide professional, dedicated assistance and support to both the veteran and the dependent, so that no student is left behind. Whether a student is looking for information on getting started as a student at Southeast, getting information on financing his or her education, or getting assistance with determining the eligibility and processing of Veterans Affairs and other military education benefits and incentives, the Office of Military and Veterans Services strives to provide the best service possible.
Additionally, the office helps align military-affiliated students with appropriate campus resources, such as the Academic Support Centers, Counseling Services and Career Services. The office also refers veteran students to various veterans’ service organizations in the area and other external organizations that may be able to provide additional support, which may not be traditionally offered in a university setting.
McBroom provides leadership in the development of recruitment and support programs for students who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as students who are currently serving in the military. He also is responsible for overseeing a University standing committee to coordinate services for this specific, student population, as well as their dependents and spouses.
The Office of Military and Veterans Services also researches and advocates for opportunities to implement veteran-friendly policies, procedures, processes, events and support services, as well as hosts events and workshops for Service Members, Veterans, and their dependents. In addition, the office assists in the research and development of grant applications and other external funding proposals related to veterans’ initiatives.
Office staff represents the University at off-campus recruiting events, focused on military personnel and veterans at locations such as Fort Leonard Wood, Scott Air Force Base and Fort Campbell.
“Southeast is setting the bar high and will continue to implement practices and procedures that will benefit our military, veterans, dependents and spouses,” said McBroom.
– See more at: http://news.semo.edu/southeast-awarded-military-friendly-schools-title-for-sixth-straight-year/#sthash.qSEerUGU.dpuf
