Pennsylvania Western University has again earned national recognition for providing military service members, veterans and their families with a first-rate post-secondary education.

This month, PennWest was granted the Gold distinction in the 2024-2025 Military Friendly^® Schools list after earning top measurements in engaging prospective military students, educating military students and providing the students with meaningful employment.

PennWest’s Office of Military and Veteran Success supports students who receive education benefits and provides a broad range of free services to eligible veterans, their families, and significant others through the Department of Veteran Affairs and in conjunction with PennWest’s Counseling Center.

"It is the mission of PennWest University and the Office of Military and Veteran Success to provide caring and individualized support for veterans, military members and their families,” said Dr. Cory Shay, director of Military and Veteran Success. “Our goal is to help provide guidance and support for them to make a smooth transition to PennWest and provide them with ongoing support and resources throughout their academic journeys."

Institutions earning the Military Friendly^® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-2025 survey with 537 earning special awards for going above the standard.

Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly^® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution's survey responses, input from student veterans, and government/agency public data sources within a logic-based scoring assessment.

Military Friendly^® analysts measure each institution’s ability to meet and exceed satisfactory thresholds in retention, graduation, job placement, repayment, persistence and loan-default rates for student-veterans.

“Military Friendly^® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process,” said Kayla Lopez, national director of Military Partnerships for Military Friendly^®. “Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.”

Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment and educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands.

In addition to supporting veterans and their families, PennWest ROTC programs at the Clarion and Edinboro campuses allow potential Second Lieutenants to earn their undergraduate or graduate degrees and simultaneously develop skills for the U.S. Army.

Students enrolled in the programs receive instruction in the fundamentals of leadership with emphasis on self-discipline, integrity, confidence and responsibility.

For more information about PennWest’s commitment to military students on campus and beyond, visit pennwest.edu/success/military-veteran-support or contact the Office of Military and Veteran Success at 814-732-1589 or veterans@pennwest.edu.