By KAREN GRAVA
Director of Media Relations

WEST HAVEN, CONN. – The University of New Haven for the second year in a row has been ranked in the top 15 percent of more than 12,000 colleges and universities that recruit military personnel by “G.I. Jobs” magazine.

UNH ranked among the top colleges nationally for military and veterans by GI Jobs magazine.

“Inclusion on the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools shows UNH’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, director of G.I. Jobs. “As interest in education grows we’re thrilled to provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in their search for schools,” said Collins.

The colleges and universities on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience. These schools have world-class programs and policies for student support on campus, academic accreditation, credit policies, flexibility and other services to those who served, according to Collins.

“UNH should take great pride in this honor. The competition for our 2013 Military Friendly Schools list was fierce and as a result, we raised the already stringent criteria to a higher benchmark,” he said. “The University of New Haven is among the elite.”

Collins said the ranking is based on the policies, efforts and results UNH has attained in recruiting and retaining military personnel and veterans.

University of New Haven has displayed commitment for the growing population of military students, said Joseph Frederick, coordinator of Veteran Student Outreach at UNH. New programs have been launched to help veteran students connect with one another, excel in the classroom and provide them with support services and resources.

“There is a dedicated staff on campus to provide support for students,” Frederick said. “We are delighted that our efforts have been recognized.”

The UNH staff provides support for students from the admission process through graduation. A new program launched this fall, the Veteran Ambassador Program, provides new students with a peer mentor to assist with the transition. The Military Veterans of UNH (MVUNH) student club is a member of the Student Veterans Association (SVA) and has continued to grow in recent years.

The Veteran Success Center in Maxcy Hall also provides a dedicated lounge area with two computers and space for students to do homework or relax in-between classes.