App State Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets learn to rappel off a tower. App State has earned its 15th consecutive Military Friendly School designation from VIQTORY, receiving a top 10 ranking in the large public schools category for 2024–25. The university was also designated a top 10 Military Spouse Friendly School. These designations recognize schools for their leading practices and effective programs for military-affiliated students — veterans, active duty, spouses and dependents. Photo by Chase Reynolds
BOONE, N.C. — For the 15th consecutive year, Appalachian State University has been designated a Military Friendly® School by VIQTORY. App State once again received a top 10 ranking from the organization, advancing to sixth place in the large public schools category for 2024–25, after ranking ninth the previous year.
The Military Friendly Schools list features institutions that “strive toward and succeed in the areas that matter most in helping veterans make the transition from the military to school and, ultimately, satisfying careers in the civilian world.”
Institutions are recognized for their leading practices, outcomes and effective programs for military-affiliated students. The 2024–25 Military Friendly Schools list will be published in G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at militaryfriendly.com/schools.
This seal signifies Appalachian State University has earned VIQTORY’s Top 10 Military Friendly School designation for the 2024–25 academic year. Seal courtesy of VIQTORY
This seal signifies Appalachian State University has earned VIQTORY’s Military Spouse Friendly School designation for the 2024–25 academic year. Seal courtesy of VIQTORY
“App State is proud to support our military community,” Chancellor Sheri Everts said. “Our selection as a Military Friendly School for the 15th consecutive year — along with being recognized for our support of military spouses — emphasizes the investment of our faculty and staff in the educational success of student veterans and active-duty service members. It is our privilege to serve them and their families.”
App State Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets conduct field training exercises in security, movement, reconnaissance and securing the objective. Photo by Chase Reynolds
In fall 2023, App State enrolled 1,328 military-affiliated students, including 261 veterans, 105 active-duty service members, 31 spouses and 931 military dependents.
Nearly 2,700 institutions were surveyed, with those earning the Military Friendly School designation evaluated using both public data sources and responses from the survey and assessed based on the following criteria:
- Academic policies and compliance.
- Admissions and orientation.
- Culture and commitment.
- Financial aid and assistance.
- Graduation rates and career placement.
- Military support and retention.
This year, App State also received a top 10 Military Spouse Friendly School designation, which recognizes the university’s dedication to supporting military families. This honor is supported by App State’s overall Military Friendly School score, along with these additional criteria:
- Academic credibility.
- Academic support.
- Career planning resources.
- Flexibility.
- Military family supports.
- Campus supports.
- Federal approvals.
- Population percentages and outcomes.
“It is an honor to be recognized again this year,” said Bethany Gonzalez, associate director of App State Student Veteran Services. “So many faculty and staff go above and beyond to support our military-connected students. Our student veterans are a vital piece of our campus community, and it is an honor to work with them.”
VIQTORY (formerly known as Victory Media) was founded in 2001. It is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. To learn more, visit viqtory.com.
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A Military Friendly® School since 2010
Since 2010, VIQTORY (formerly known as Victory Media), the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has awarded Appalachian State University the designation of Military Friendly® School. The designation places App State in the top 15% of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation. In addition to a number of existing services, the university opened the Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center in November 2016.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
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