Two military students share a computer in Manderino Library at Cal U. Two military students share a computer in Manderino Library at Cal U.

CAL U RECOGNIZED AS 2013 MILITARY FRIENDLY SCHOOL

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Posted on September 17, 2012

For the fourth consecutive year, Victory Media and G.I. Jobs magazine have named California University of Pennsylvania one of the nation’s top Military Friendly Schools®.

“Cal U continues to set the bar for campus military support,” said Capt. Robert Prah, director of the university’s Office of Veterans Affairs. “Cal U has a long tradition of helping our military members and their families. It’s part of our campus culture.”

The magazine’s 2013 Military Friendly Schools list honors the 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students.

The list was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 12,000 schools nationwide. Criteria and weightings are developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board consisting of educators from schools across the country.

The 1,739 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list prioritize the recruitment of students with military experience. The magazine recognizes them for offering scholarships, veterans’ clubs, full-time staff and other services for military veterans. G.I. Jobs also includes peer reviews provided by veterans across the country.

At Cal U, the Veterans Affairs Office provides resources for active-duty military members, reservists and members of the National Guard, as well as military veterans and their families.

In addition, the University has joined forces with GoArmyEd, a gateway to higher education for soldiers stationed anywhere in the world. Through the GoArmyEd portal, soldiers and their families have easy access to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered by Global Online, Cal U’s Internet-based learning community.

Free employment services also are available to military veterans through the Veterans Affairs Office, Cal U Career Services and Pennsylvania CareerLink Mon Valley.

Even after they graduate from Cal U, service members and veterans have free, lifelong access to the University’s Career Services office, which offers one-on-one career and job-search planning for all Cal U alumni.

The G.I. Jobs website includes a profile of Cal U student Joseph Lee, a sport management major at Cal U, an Army infantry veteran and a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

“The G.I. Bill has helped me finance my pursuit of a college degree,” Lee wrote.

“I’ve had a truly enjoyable experience so far at Cal U. The faculty and staff are tremendously helpful and accessible. The school has an outstanding veterans’ outreach program, as well.

“The curriculum is challenging, but Cal U gives you all of the opportunities and tools you need to succeed.”