Northwood University is pleased to have been named a 2022 Best for Vets College by the Military Times.
“Military service members and veterans are unique in that they bring a broad scope of knowledge and wisdom to the classroom discussions based on their real-world experience,” states Program Center Manager Diana Garcia, who serves as Northwood’s military and veterans advisor. “Northwood University is unique by being military friendly and offering a military discount to each student in the Adult Degree and DeVos Graduate programs who has served in the Armed Forces. Also, the military tuition rate is assessed across the system for military students in uniform — i.e. active duty, Reserve, National Guard and veterans.”
In addition, Joint Services transcripts are evaluated for academic credits based on the American Council of Education (ACE) Guide, Garcia explained.
Since the early 70s, Northwood University has continually strived to service veterans in all branches of the Armed Forces first by establishing a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Defense (DoD) under a voluntary education partnership with Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the United States Air Force.
In 1983, Northwood University signed another voluntary education partnership that allowed Northwood to open offices at Naval Air Station Dallas, in Dallas, Texas. Later, in 1996, operations were moved to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Fort Worth, Texas.
By offering business degree programs in classrooms on base and online, higher education degree programs became available and deliverable to active duty, reserves, dependents, national guard members, and DoD and non-DoD employees, including veterans, in a familiar environment.
“The base has all the amenities of a small city,” Garcia noted. “There is a Base Exchange shopping center, including a chapel, commissary, gymnasium, theater, bowling alley, library, police station, quarters, hotel, and office buildings.”
Jordan Baus graduated Magna cum Laude with a bachelor of business administration degree from the Fort Worth Program Center in December 2015. Baus said he is forever thankful that this program was offered on base through Northwood.
“Many service members want to earn an education, and their interest is deeper than just completing a bachelor’s degree from any available source. Offering a regionally accredited undergraduate education in person on the installation was so fundamentally important for my academic career,” Baus stated. “If that option was not available, I would likely not have ever completed such an education. I’m now happy to share that I am a third-year Ph.D. student studying business!”
Garcia said service members/veterans choose to continue their education at Northwood because of its support system, which includes admissions representatives, academic advisors, school certifying officials, financial aid consultants, a business office, success coaches and tremendous support from the university’s leadership, which gives students the tools they need to succeed.
“These tools could simply be listening to their concerns, assisting them with registration, textbooks and Blackboard, our web-based virtual learning management system,” Garcia explained. “A main tool is assisting them with their GI Bill documentation from the Certificate of Eligibility to the DD214 document, and helping each veteran navigate the Department of Veteran’s affairs website to start the process or submit a change of program.”
Brito Alaric and Zachariah Annis are veterans and current Northwood students. After 10 years of active-duty service, they decided to set a new course for their future.
“Fortunately, we have a connection with Northwood University. The staff and administration are incredibly efficient, kind, and motivating. It was easily identifiable that the people of this community care for personal and social growth,” stated Brito Alaric. “My brother and I both attend Northwood University and strive to achieve our goals of achieving our MBAs. After finishing my academics with Northwood University, I look forward to hanging my tassel proudly on the same placard as my brother. It’s our goal to maintain healthy competition and motivation for each other.”
Garcia noted it is truly an honor for Northwood University to be recognized by Military Times as a Best for Vets College.
“There is a sense of pride for this esteemed recognition and it is only possible because of the group effort and collaboration of the dedicated employees who come to work each day and say, ‘how may I assist you,’ to a veteran who needs encouragement,” Garcia added. “It is important to connect with a person or group of individuals that students feel comfortable with in order for them to take the next step in pursuit of an associate, bachelor, masters or doctorate degree at Northwood University.”
This is not the first time Northwood has ranked high for its service to those who have served our country. Most recently, Northwood placed in the top third of colleges ranked by U.S. News & World Report for best online bachelor’s programs for veterans.
To learn more about education opportunities for military members, veterans and their families, visit our military webpage.
