April, 2023
Minnesota West Community & Technical College was named a Military Friendly School by Viqtory, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Ranking fifth in the nation among small community colleges.
According to Viqtory, the Military Friendly® Schools list has come to set the standard for higher education institutions to provide the best opportunities for veterans and their spouses. This prestigious list provides a comprehensive guide for veterans and their families using data sources from federal agencies and proprietary survey information from participating organizations.
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 2023-2024 survey with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard.
The 2023-2024 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.
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 scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
"I am proud to work for this institution with such a strong conviction in helping our Veterans students receive the educational benefits that they have earned through their military service," said Barb Staples, Veterans Certifying Official for Minnesota West.
“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunities 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.” - Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®.
For more information about Minnesota West Community & Technical College student veteran programs, visit our website at https://www.mnwest.edu/advisory-services/military-veteran-services.
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About Military Friendly® Schools:
The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses
to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an
independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate.
Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.
About Viqtory:
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. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more
about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.
For further information or to arrange interviews, contact:
Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Barb Staples
Student Services Specialist, Registration
Veterans Certifying Official
507-372-3470
barb.staples@mnwest.edu
Military Friendly® Schools:
Kayla Lopez
Senior Director of Military Partnerships
For press inquiries visit:
www.militaryfriendly.com/support