UNC Wilmington Named a 2010 Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs Magazine
8/18/2009 12:28:58 PM
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The University of North Carolina Wilmington has been named by G.I. Jobs to its 2010 list of Military Friendly Schools. This list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are "doing the most to embrace America's veterans as students," according to the magazine.
Rich McCormack, G.I. Jobs publisher, noted that this list is important to veterans as they seek to further their educations with the recent passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school, he said.
"Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they're academically qualified," McCormack said. "So schools are clamoring for them like never before. Veterans need a trusted friend to help them decide where to get educated. The Military Friendly Schools List is that trusted friend."
Many veterans have also come to see UNC Wilmington and its faculty and staff as trusted friends. UNCW has made numerous changes to its admissions and advising processes to better assist its military affiliated students, which include active duty, veterans and dependents of active duty. These changes have been made to serve the university's current students, said Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo, but also to prepare for an expected influx of more than 11,000 marines and their families to Southeastern North Carolina.
"Our preparation includes the establishment of a Military Advisory Board and an intra-campus Military Task Force," DePaolo said. "The Military Advisory Board consists of active-duty military commanders and local leaders who continually communicate the needs of the military to us, so we can take appropriate steps. The Military Task Force creates or modifies UNCW policies and procedures to enhance our services and programs for the military affiliated population.
"In fact, UNCW's partnership with the military is fast becoming a model not only within North Carolina, but regionally and nationally as well," she added. UNCW has been an active member of two of the N.C. Eastern Region's Military Growth Task Force subcommittees focused on education and workforce needs.
UNCW offers programs and courses for military students through its Onslow Extension Program, with classes held at Camp Lejeune, in addition to those on the Wilmington campus. Last spring, 128 students graduated through the Onslow Extension Program, which offers bachelor's degrees in education, nursing, criminal justice, clinical research, business administration and social work as well as master's degrees in elementary education, liberal studies and chemistry.
UNCW recently amended its admissions policy for military students and waived its application fee for active military personnel in order to make the admissions process more user-friendly and accessible. UNCW also participates in the Servicemember Opportunity Colleges (SOC) program, which guarantees transferability of course credits from other SOC courses toward specific degree programs, and the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program, which provides $6,000 for education and training to the spouses of active duty or activated guard or reserve service members.
All of these programs designed to assist military affiliated students are explained in greater detail on the university's newly launched Military Admissions Web site, www.uncw.edu/admissions/military.html.
"We have received a lot of positive feedback from the military affiliated students at UNCW, both current and prospective, as well as the military command at the area bases regarding these changes," said Ann Marie Beall, associate director for transfer admissions. "We continue to work with them to find even more ways to support and assist this student population."
To further assist military affiliated students in making the transition to college, the Office of Admissions sends them specific welcome information regarding the Student Veterans' Organization (SVO), orientation, financial aid and other support services designed specifically for the military student. Each fall, the university and the SVO host a reception to honor military affiliated students and welcome them to the university. This year, the event will be Friday, Aug. 21 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Burney Center on the Wilmington campus.
Criteria for making the Military Friendly Schools list included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran students, and academic accreditations. The 2010 Military Friendly Schools list can be found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com/mfspr. A full story and detailed list will be highlighted in the publication's annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools.
Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, UNC Wilmington, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu
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