For the second consecutive year, The University of Akron has been ranked as a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine. The designation, which puts UA in the top 15 percent of all colleges and universities, is in addition to its ranking as a Servicemembers Opportunity College.

Through its Military Services Center, the University has comprehensive support services in place designed to meet the higher education needs of student-veterans. Staffed by experts, the center makes it easy for veterans to enroll and gain access to any needed academic-support and student-life services, and use their GI Bill educational benefits, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Also serving student-veterans, along with other adult student populations, is UA Adult Focus. The office provides a variety of academic support services, including individualized academic advising, to assist students with the transition to college life as well as their educational and career choices.

For Jason Grenfell, the increased outreach by UA to returning veterans is most welcome. As a student-veteran who also works in UA’s Military Services Center, he’s seen how important these initiatives are in meeting the unique needs of veterans.

“When I came here in 2006, UA was just starting to expand its services to veterans on many levels,” recalls Grenfell, who plans to graduate in spring 2011 with a B.S. in Emergency Management. He already holds an associate degree in criminal justice from UA.

Grenfell, who served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 2003 to 2009, was on active duty from 2004 to 2006. During that time, his overseas deployments included Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar as a member of the Military Police.

“UA has gone a long way to creating a one-stop shop with the Military Services Center and serving veterans needs,” says Grenfell. “Now UA is working toward improving the transfer process so that credits earned through military experience and in classes at military schools can be applied here.

“I’ve had a positive experience here at UA,” Grenfell continues. “I would recommend to any veterans interested in earning a degree to come here. They won’t be disappointed in the services offered.”

For more information about UA’s services for student veterans, please visit the Military Services Center.