Colorado State University Makes GI Jobs Military Friendly Schools List

For the fifth year in a row Colorado State University has been named a Military Friendly School, in the company of the top 15 percent of all colleges, universities and trade schools. The list recognizes higher education institutions that embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

The 2014 Military Friendly Schools list, released today, is put out by GI Jobs magazine. Inclusion in the list showcases the university’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students. Recognized schools offer military students the best services, programs, discounts, scholarships, clubs, networking and staff.

“Our focus is on supporting student veterans to be personally and academically successful. They have given a lot. They’ve put their lives on hold for however long they were in the military and it’s a huge honor to be able to help them become successful in the next part of their life,” said Jenny Pickett, director of CSU’s Adult Learner and Veteran’s Service office.

At CSU, the Adult Learner and Veteran’s Service Office, or ALVS, offers a full range of services for veterans to assist them in transitioning into college life and succeeding academically. The office serves as a “home away from home” by offering a lounge, kitchenette, free coffee, peer mentoring and study groups, among other initiatives.

“We really want to create an inviting atmosphere that helps engage the students we serve. We are here to assist those who have answered a higher calling by serving their nation,” said Pickett.

The Veteran Success Program helps student veterans connect to on- and off-campus support while supplementing campus academic resources to increase student veteran retention and graduation rates. A Veteran Success coach provides one-on-one consultation and connects students with existing resources to support their academic and personal success.

Colorado State University partners with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program to offer full awards, including tuition, fees, and generous housing and books stipends, to all qualified non-resident U.S. military veterans and their designated dependents. Additionally, CSU’s Veterans Benefits, which certifies over 1,000 students each semester, earned a 100 percent passing grade during an audit by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is the second time CSU has earned a grade of 100 since 2008.

The Education to Employment, or E2E, partnership with ALVS, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and the CSU Career Center helps veterans shift into the workforce after graduation through internships and jobs while they are in school, and by furthering employment skills so they are prepared for full-time work after college. The Department of Labor and Employment has a representative available in the ALVS office a minimum of 16 hours a week to help students with resumes, prepare for employment and network with businesses.

The New Start program provides individualized services and support for student veterans who have sustained life-altering injuries while in the military. New Start helps student veterans develop strategies for learning difficulties, memory problems, accessibility issues and an array of challenges that create barriers to their success.

To learn more about veterans services at Colorado State, visit veterans.colostate.edu.

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