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���ϲ�����’s commitment to serving veterans and military families has garnered recognition from as the No. 1 private school and No. 4 institution overall on the publication’s annual Best for Vets rankings. ���ϲ����� is the only private institution to make the list’s top 10 and boasts the highest military graduation rate of the top five schools.

“It is a proud day for the Orange family,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “We remain steadfast in our efforts to be the ‘best place for veterans’ and military-connected students and are grateful that Military Times recognizes this commitment. I am also thankful to the thousands of veterans, service members and family members who have selected ���ϲ����� as their higher education community. Their great service to our country is most appreciated and there will always be a place for them at ���ϲ�����.”

The Best for Vets: Colleges 2019 rankings are an editorially independent news project that evaluates the many factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, veterans and their families to include academic outcomes, veteran culture on campus, support services, special policies and accommodations and financial incentives. Military Times also considers data from the departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense and Education. Roughly 500 colleges took part in this year’s survey with just 137 making the list.

“This ranking reflects the hard work and commitment of many at ���ϲ�����,” says Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “Our goal to be the ‘best place for veterans’ and military-connected students is prioritized across campus. The ranking is a testament to the collaboration among faculty, staff, students and alumni and the shared willingness to go the extra mile for those who served our country.”

Since Chancellor Syverud took office and made the commitment to be the “best place for veterans” among his strategic initiatives, veteran and military-connected enrollment on campus has grown over 500 percent and the campus community has launched several initiatives to improve the military-connected student experience, including the following:

• Establishment of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA)
• Expanded capabilities of the Office of Veteran Success (OVS)
• Unlimited participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program allowing Post-9/11 GI Bill students to receive additional funding to cover required tuition and fees
• Dedicated veteran career services, advising and resources
• Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) Program
• One of only 15 Pat Tillman Foundation University Partners recognized for innovative veteran services, strong culture of support for military veterans and spouses, and rigorous academic programs

The University will further its commitment to the veteran and military-connected community with the construction of the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC), a first-of-its-kind multi-use facility dedicated to advancing academic research, programming and community-connected innovation serving the social, economic and wellness concerns of the nation’s veterans and families. The NVRC is scheduled to open in 2020.

Other University initiatives designed to meet the unique needs of veterans and their families include programs offered by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, including the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, other entrepreneurship training programs, career preparation and training through the Onward to Opportunity program, community-based care coordination through AmericaServes, and the ���ϲ����� Veterans’ Writing Group, among many others.

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, ���ϲ����� offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of ���ϲ����� is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .