October 6, 2023
Members of St. John’s University’s armed forces community took pride in a recent announcement that the University again had been named a Military Friendly® School.
VIQTORY, a Pennsylvania-based company that connects newly separated veterans with professional and educational opportunities, recognized St. John’s with a “silver” ranking in its four-tiered ranking system for 2023–24, placing the University near the top 20 percent of all recognized schools. It was at least the third consecutive year St. John’s was recognized by VIQTORY.
“My experience at St. John’s was, and continues to be, transformative and filled with life lessons critical to my growth and development,” said Army 2nd Lt. Brittany Smith ’23MS, now a medical officer at Fort Cavazos in Killeen, TX.
Ms. Smith said the leadership training, discipline, and teamwork skills cultivated here at St. John’s all contribute to success in her military career. “I would wholeheartedly recommend St. John’s University to future cadets and service members,” she added.
VIQTORY’s Military Friendly® School designation is presented to institutions that demonstrate the best in military and veteran educational support while cultivating employment and educational outcomes for veterans and their families.
Colleges and universities recognized by the organization were evaluated in 2022 using public data and responses to surveys of their institutions. Ratings combined the schools’ survey scores with an evaluation of their ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, and more for student-veterans. The surveys were open to all institutions nationwide that wished to participate; in 2022, more than 1,800 schools took part.
As of Fall 2022, approximately 150 veterans were enrolled at St. John’s. The University provided more than three million dollars in aid to those students while the US Department of Veterans Affairs offered more than five million dollars in assistance.
The Military Friendly® designation benefits students and faculty alike, Army Capt. Malcolm Brown, Assistant Professor, Department of Military Science, said. Current and potential students are confident the University possesses the resources necessary to help them succeed academically and personally, while “fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere,” he added. Likewise, the award signifies faculty professional-development opportunities that can enrich their ability to assist military students in reaching academic and career goals.
“We have different pillars that we focus on in our program, which mainly relate to academic preparation, service, and excellence,” said Sharod L. Tomlinson, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Student Success and Engagement, Office of Student Development. “It is important to be a place where students feel prepared, safe, and welcome.”
Academic advisers and veteran benefits representatives help St. John’s students develop a degree plan and a schedule flexible enough to allow a balance between academic responsibilities and military training requirements. The University also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides veterans with financial assistance for tuition and fees not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
For many veterans in St. John’s military community, those benefits are among the things that make the University stand out.