Military and Veterans Programs Holds List of High Honors

This year has been a memorable one for Texas Tech University's Military and Veterans Programs (MVP). Earning seven recognitions in 2014, MVP is among the most celebrated military and veterans support units in higher education.

This year, the MVP has earned the following awards:

• Purple Heart University: Texas Tech is the third university in the nation to acquire this designation by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
• “Best College for Veterans:” The 2015 U.S. News & World Report ranked Texas Tech as one of the top 50 universities for veterans.
• “Best Online Graduate Engineering Programs for Veterans:” The 2015 U.S. News & World Report also ranked the Whitacre College of Engineering's online graduate program No. 2 in the nation for veterans.
• “Best for Vets – Business Schools 2014:” The Rawls College of Business ranked No. 13 out of 64 other business colleges across the country by Military Times.
• Military Friendly School: Texas Tech is listed as a 2015 Military Friendly School ® for the sixth straight year by Victory Media Inc., a veteran-owned business dedicated to surveying thousands of institutions across the nation for the best practices with military personnel.
• “Best College for Veterans:” The university was named “Best College for Veterans” again, but by College Factual. Texas Tech ranked No. 7 in the nation for its quality of education, affordability, veteran population and federal program participation in Principles of Excellence, Department of Defense's Memorandum of Understanding and Service Members Opportunity Colleges Consortium.

The university now adds its seventh military recognition from Military Advanced Education (MAE), which recently named Texas Tech a top school in its 2015 MAE “Guide to Colleges & Universities” research study.

“Texas Tech is privileged to serve the men and women who have fought for our freedom. It is the least we can do for them,” said Texas Tech President M. Duane Nellis. “Texas Tech is committed to our military, and these awards are nice recognitions of our efforts. We will continue to put our best efforts forward to help our veterans and dependents succeed while they work toward their education.”

The study is a comprehensive guide for service members, education services officers and transition officers in a visual format to help compare and contrast colleges and universities in the United States. Schools are evaluated by strict criteria, including achievement in military culture, financial aid, flexibility, on-campus support and online support services.

“We are proud of the university's commitment to veterans and the recognition by Military Advanced Education as a top school for service men and women,” said Juan Muñoz, senior vice president for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement and vice provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs. “Texas Tech will continue to work to become the university of first choice for students who have so honorably chosen to serve the country as members of the armed forces.”

MVP serves more than 1,800 military veterans and their dependents while they earn their degrees. MVP also provides direct assistance to create a seamless transition from military to civilian life, including the application process, financial aid, advising and registering for classes, and offers campus and community resources. With more than 350 veteran faculty and staff, students have instant access to advisors in each college and student service to provide support and encouragement during their time at Texas Tech.

“Earning these recognitions is a testament to the dedication of our university and to the success of veterans and their family members,” said Ryan Van Dusen, MVP director. “We are committed to maintaining an environment that encourages personal growth and intellectual development.”