Virginia Tech has earned the highest ranking from veterans' advocacy group Military Friendly, recognizing the university as a national leader in recruiting and supporting military-connected students.

“We use this Military Friendly recognition as benchmark and to keep asking the question: What does it mean to be a military friendly university?” said Jana Moser Moore, director of the Office of Veteran Services. “And most importantly, are we meeting the needs of our veteran students on campus?”

Virginia Tech received a Gold ranking for the 2026-27 academic year from Military Friendly, a nonprofit that rates companies and higher education institutions. The award uses a series of metrics for universities, including retention, graduation rate, job placement, the ability of graduates to repay loans, and an institution’s overall commitment to veteran students.

It’s the third time in three years Virginia Tech has been awarded the honor, placing among peer institutions for military-connected students such as Texas A&M University, University of Florida, and William & Mary. 

About 1,800 military-connected students at Virginia Tech receive educational benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which includes veterans who have completed their contracts, active-duty service members, reservists or National Guard members, and their dependents.

The benefits are typically monthly stipends for educational expenses, housing, food, books, tuition, and fees.

"Because of their professional and leadership experience, our veterans often bring skills to the classroom that traditional students don't necessarily have," said Moser Moore.

Veteran students are more likely to be older, have families, have attended community college, work full-time, served in the enlisted ranks, and have a disability connected to their service. 

“You may have a veteran taking a class on supply chains at the Pamplin College of Business who as an E-4 was responsible for a million dollars' worth of equipment and had to work the logistics of moving that equipment from point A to point B and had to manage the people underneath them,” she said.

But pursuing a degree as a military-connected student can pose challenges.

"When veterans start college after their service, they face several challenges,” said Moser Moore. “They are older and have real-world experience, so it can be hard for them to relate to 18-year-old classmates.

“They’re also used to the strict rules and teamwork of the military, so the lack of structure of a college campus can feel overwhelming and chaotic,” she said. “Plus, they aren't typical students and have adult responsibilities like spouses, kids, jobs, and bills to pay.”

Moser Moore and Caleb Stinchcomb, the office’s military transition coordinator, help students access state and federal housing and healthcare resources, plus local tutoring, advising, and childcare.

  • The Office of Veteran Services oversees the Green Zone initiative, which trains faculty and staff to understand the unique challenges faced by student veterans and military-affiliated students. Faculty who complete the training receive a Green Zone badge. The next training will be offered from Sept. 13 through Oct. 2.
  • The VeTZone is operated by the Office of Veteran Services to help military-affiliated students feel welcome on campus. The space can be used to study, relax, and connect with other members of the military-affiliated community on campus. It is in 300 Johnston Student Center.
  • Each fall, the Office of Veteran Services hosts a tailgate at a military appreciation football game for any parents, students, and alumni with a connection to the military.  The next tailgate will be at the Salute to Service game against Old Dominion University on Sept. 12.

“Earning Military Friendly Gold recognition for the third year in a row is not only an honor, but also a reminder that the work of the Office of Veteran Services is ongoing,” said Sarah Armstrong, associate vice provost for Academic Success Initiatives. “The Office of Veteran Services remains focused on listening to our military-connected students, assessing their evolving needs, and strengthening the services and campus culture that helps them thrive.” 

“We are proud to support our military-connected students as they pursue their academic and professional goals at Virginia Tech,” said Armstrong.

In addition to the Blacksburg campus, The Office of Veteran Services works with students in Alexandria, research labs in Roanoke, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and Agricultural Research and Extension Centers across the state.

The office, which is part of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, is at 220 Gilbert Place in Blacksburg. 

Contact:

Tags

Share this story