West Chester University: WCU Earns 2021-2022 Military Friendly® Gold Designation

Press release from West Chester University:

February 19, 2021

West Chester is one of only six universities in Pennsylvania that earned Gold designation.

Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort,
and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.
More than 1,200 schools sought Military Friendly® designation by participating in the 2021-2022 proprietary survey. Institutions were
also evaluated using public data sources. Of the 747 institutions that earned the
general designation, only 162 nationally were selected for Gold award status, which
is reserved for schools that scored within 10% of the 10th ranking school in their
category.

West Chester University strives to create an intentional culture of understanding,
acceptance, and success for veterans, active military, National Guard service members,
and those who support them. Services and resources for members of the military and
veterans at WCU are centralized through the Greg and Sandra Weisenstein Veterans Center, thanks to the endeavors of Lillian Morrison, WCU’s Veterans Center Coordinator and
VA School Certifying Official. Morrison has facilitated communication among campus
offices so that student veterans and their families enjoy a coordinated system of
service and a meaningful transition from the military to West Chester. The Weisenstein
Endowment has been established to provide annual support in scholarships and programming
for WCU student veterans. In addition, a licensed professional counselor, dedicated
specifically to the specialized needs of WCU’s student veteran population, is now
on staff. Expanded resources such as this have been made possible through the generosity
of donors and alumni. In addition, faculty and staff across the university demonstrate
a strong commitment to supporting and engaging student veterans.

The Veterans Center also offers student veterans spaces to meet formally, study, relax,
recharge, and socialize, plus resources and events that connect veterans at WCU with
those in the local community. A dedicated parking spot for current or prospective
active or veteran military has been added directly behind the building, which recently
saw upgrades, including to its handicap access ramp/porch.

Tracey Ray Robinson, WCU’s Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, applauded Morrison
for her “leadership of several initiatives related to this higher ranking.”

Robinson also established a new Military Veterans Coordinating Committee in support
of “WCU’s commitment to excellence in developing and sustaining programs and initiatives
that expand and support the experience of our current and future military veteran
students and their families.”

In addition, the Veterans Center is responsive to the student veterans and, in April
2019, delivered a satisfaction survey to this group, achieving a 40% response rate
and considering their suggestions.

Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®, explained that the rankings measure each institution’s ability to meet thresholds
for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree
advancement or transfer), and loan default rates for all students and, specifically,
for student veterans.

“Schools that achieve designation show true commitment and dedication in their efforts,”
noted Lopez. “Our standards assist schools by providing a benchmark that promotes
positive educational outcomes, resources, and support services that better the educational
landscape and provide opportunity for the military community.”

The complete 2021-2022 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be
found at MilitaryFriendly.com.

Learn more about WCU’s Veterans Center and student veteran programs.

This press release was produced by West Chester University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.