Northwest annually celebrates veterans and their families during its Military Appreciation football game. The University recently is a Military Friendly institution for the 10th consecutive year. (Northwest Missouri State University photo)

Victory Media, a media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has named Northwest Missouri State University a Military Friendly School for 2021-2022 in recognition of the University’s commitment to embracing military service members, veterans and their family members and ensuring their success on campus.

This marks the 10th consecutive year Northwest appears on the list, which honors colleges, universities and trade schools that deliver the best experience for military students.

Northwest is one of 747 institutions earning this year’s designation, which will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

Dr. Tyler Tapps, who served as a fuel maintenance technician in the U.S. Air Force, is among several veterans at Northwest who understand the value of the benefits and services the University offers. He earned a Bachelor of Science in corporate recreation and wellness and a Master of Science in recreation from Northwest. Today, he is an associate professor of recreation in the University’s School of Health Science and Wellness.

“Being a Military Friendly School is important in that it sends the message to our students and veterans within the community that we as an institution appreciate the sacrifices that military members and their families have made,” Tapps said. “We want to continue to strive to meet their needs and demonstrate to the state of Missouri and its citizens that at Northwest we are willing to work to accommodate those who serve or have served their country.”

In its profile of the University, Victory Media cites Northwest’s more than 200 rigorous academic programs, small class sizes, opportunities for student employment, profession-based learning, high graduation and career placement rates. “Many resources, including the Student Success Center, Writing Center, Math Lab, Career Cervices and faculty advisors, are available to help students be successful throughout their time at Northwest and after,” the report states.

Northwest, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offers a range of degree and certification programs that benefit military students. The University is VA approved and gives credit for the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). Northwest also follows American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations when granting credit for military experience or from other regionally accredited institutions as transcripts are evaluated by the Office of Admissions.

Further enhancing its services for veterans, Northwest partners with multiple veterans organizations and regularly hosts a veterans service officer to assist with filing for VA benefits. Northwest participates in several federal and Missouri state programs such as the GI Bill and Missouri Returning Heroes and offers a variety of scholarships for military personnel and veterans, including a National Guard Scholarship to assist military students with housing. For more information about resources available to veterans at Northwest, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/veterans/.

In partnership with the Missouri Army National Guard, Northwest also offers the Guard Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) program to develop qualified Missouri citizens into commissioned officers through classroom instruction, leadership laboratories and a physical conditioning program.

Now in its 20th year, the Military Friendly Schools list annually provides a comprehensive guide for veterans and their families, based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting are developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all post-secondary schools that wish to participate.

“Schools who achieve designation show true commitment and dedication in their efforts” Kayla Lopez, Military Friendly’s national director of military partnerships, said. “Our standards assist schools by providing a benchmark that promotes positive educational outcomes, resources and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community.”

About Northwest Missouri State University

With an enrollment of more than 7,200 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus as well as its Northwest-Kansas City location and through Northwest Online.

Founded in 1905, Northwest boasts a high retention rate, and results of its 2019-20 satisfaction survey show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers while 82 percent of all Northwest students report they would repeat their University experience, compared to 75 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions. Additionally, Northwest’s graduation rate is in the 90th percentile among its peers.

Furthermore, 96 percent of Northwest bachelor’s degree earners and 99 percent of master’s degree earners secure employment or continue their education within six months of graduation, according to the most recent data. Zippia, a career website, names Northwest the best college in Missouri for getting a job.

Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers. Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency.

Furthermore, its vibrant and diverse learning community offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, which is among the lowest in the nation, saving students an estimated $7,200 over four years. Northwest also offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program. 

For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.

About Viqtory

Founded in 2001, Viqtory is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs and Military Friendly brands. Viqtory and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about Viqtory at www.viqtory.com.