Angelo State University Again Named Top Military Friendly School

SAN ANGELO, TX –For the 12th consecutive year, Angelo State University has been designated a “Military Friendly® School” by Victory Media (VIQTORY), which comprises several magazines and websites, including G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse, that serve military personnel and veterans transitioning into civilian life.

According to a press release, ASU has also received a Silver Award for ranking in the top 15 of the 64 institutions in the Large Public University category that were awarded the “Military Friendly® School” designation for 2020-21. Since the additional superlative awards program began five years ago, ASU has earned a Silver Award or Gold Award every year.

This is the second year for ASU to be placed in the Large Public University category for schools with more than 10,000 students – and ASU is one of only two Texas institutions to win a superlative award in this category for 2020-21, along with South Texas College.

The 2020-21 Military Friendly® Schools list honors the top U.S. institutions of higher education that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and their dependents as students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success both in the classroom and after graduation. Each year, the list of Military Friendly® Schools is provided to service members and their families, helping them select the best college, university or trade school to receive the education and training needed to pursue a civilian career.

"We are extremely humbled to receive this level of recognition,” said Susan Williams, ASU director of affiliated military and veteran services. “It’s especially rewarding because this award reflects a collaborative effort across the entire ASU campus, from our university president and vice presidents throughout all levels of faculty and staff. It is our highest privilege to ‘serve those who have served,’ and we always strive to do the best job possible.”

The institutions on the 2020-21 list were evaluated using both public data sources and their responses to Victory Media’s proprietary survey. More than 8,800 U.S. schools were eligible, but only 625 were awarded the “Military Friendly® School” designation for 2020-21. Final ratings were determined by combining each institution’s survey scores with an assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence and loan default rates for all students – and specifically for student veterans.

ASU’s programs for military and veteran students are overseen by the Office of Affiliated Military and Veteran Services, which is housed in the Veterans Educational and Transitional Services (VETS) Center in the Houston Harte University Center.