UMass Dartmouth recognized for offering veterans the best possible experience in
higher education
UMass Dartmouth has been named a Military Friendly School for the year 2015 by
Victory Media Inc., which recognizes schools that have gone above and beyond to
provide transitioning veterans the best possible experience in higher education.
UMass Dartmouth is one of 37 higher education institutions in Massachusetts named to
the list.
“We are very proud to earn this status as we continue to strive to fulfill our
‘Veteran-Friendly’ vision to recognize our veterans, facilitate connections among
them, advocate for them, and educate our campus community on the unique strengths
and challenges they bring to campus,” said Chancellor Divina Grossman. “We will
continue to build upon these efforts in order to provide the academic, social, and
health services our Veterans need and deserve.”
Among the ongoing initiatives to fulfill the University’s “Veteran-Friendly” vision
are enhanced orientation and peer mentoring for new and transfer student veterans,
making available full-time mental health professionals trained in veteran-specific
mental health concerns, and providing veteran support information on the
University’s website.
UMass Dartmouth is a signatory to the Department of Defense Memorandum of
Understanding. Its Student Veteran Association (est. 2012) is recognized as an
official student organization and is an official chapter of Student Veterans of
America. UMass Dartmouth has also implemented an activation or deployment policy in
the form of the "Military Activation Leave of Absence”, and offers an ROTC program
through a Providence College affiliation.
UMass Dartmouth’s Counseling Center, Student Affairs staff, and the faculty are
continuing to review and implement new ways to support veterans.
The “Military Friendly” lists are compiled through extensive research and free,
data-driven surveys of employers, schools, franchise systems and cities. The survey
results that comprise the lists are independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP based
upon the weightings and methodology established by Victory Media. Each year,
participants are held to a higher standard than the previous year via improved
methodology, criteria and weightings developed with the assistance of Advisory
Boards consisting of industry experts from across the country.
Victory Media Inc., a veteran-owned business founded in 2001, has led the industry
as a ratings entity for more than a decade, surveying tens of thousands of
institutions and adjudicating lists that capture best practices in recruitment and
retention of military personnel as civilian employees, students and franchisees. Its
survey-driven lists have been published every year since 2003. Employers, schools,
franchises and cities represent the top tier of institutions with leading
opportunities for military service members and spouses.
UMass Dartmouth distinguishes itself as a vibrant, public research university
dedicated to engaged learning and innovative research resulting in personal and
lifelong student success. The University serves as an intellectual catalyst for
economic, social, and cultural transformation on a global, national, and regional
scale.
