The University of Central Oklahoma ranks as a top 100 institution in the nation for providing services and support for veterans and military-connected students, for the eighth consecutive year, on the 2023 Military Times “Best for Vets: Colleges” list. Central moved up 74 spots from the prior year to claim No. 86 and is one of only four institutions in Oklahoma on the list. (story continues below)
Central focuses on providing services and support for veterans and military-connected students through the Veterans Higher Education Resource and Opportunity Center (VetHERO) and federally funded programs.
“This accomplishment is a testament to the University of Central Oklahoma’s unwavering commitment to serving those who have served our country,” said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.
“UCO is home to many military-connected students, faculty, staff and their families. We are proud to provide both the resources and support that military and veteran students need to succeed at the university and as they enter the workforce.”
The Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program serving pre-college veterans and the Serving America’s Leaders Using Transformative Education (SALUTE) program serving Central’s veterans who are first-generation college students, are federally funded via U.S. Department of Education grants. These resources aid military-connected students in their academic, financial, physical and social needs.
The 2023 Military Times “Best for Vets: Colleges” list is the largest and most comprehensive ranking of the best schools for military service members and veterans. The ranking looks at services available to veterans and practical information that will help veterans make important decisions about their career planning and how to use the education benefits they earned through military service.
Central also received national recognition earlier this year for its commitment to military-connected students. Central was named a gold-level Military Friendly School in the category of public universities with more than 10,000 students by Viqtory Media’s 2023-24 Military Friendly Schools list.
To view the complete 2022 Military Times “Best for Vets: Colleges” rankings, visit https://bestforvets.militarytimes.com/rankings/colleges/.
For more information about veteran support services at Central, visit https://www.uco.edu/student-resources/vss/.
(Veterans Day is November 11)
