UTSA has been named a Gold Military Friendly School for 2020–2021 by Viqtory Inc. Published by Military Friendly, the Military Friendly Schools survey is the nation’s longest-running review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students, and UTSA’s gold designation reflects the university’s comprehensive support of its military-affiliated population.

UTSA exceeded all six of the standards set forth by the Military Friendly Schools survey but scored especially high marks in three categories: culture and commitment, admissions and orientation, and academic policies and compliance. UTSA was one of only three four-year research institutions in Texas to earn the gold designation.

“The Military Friendly recognition is important to us as we are working hard to become more veteran-inclusive at UTSA, and that is why we continue to implement new policies and initiatives to help our military-affiliated students in their educational pursuits,” said retired Air Force Col. Lisa Carrington Firmin, associate vice president for veteran and military affairs at UTSA.

In its selection, Military Friendly suggested veterans and other military-affiliated students should attend UTSA for two key reasons. The first is UTSA’s relationships with several military bases in the region, making the university part of a larger community supporting service members and veterans. The second is the university’s Office for Veteran and Military Affairs, which operates out of the new Center for Military Affiliated Students and provides consolidated services to military-affiliated students on campus. The office’s efforts to advocate, innovate and collaborate to facilitate the inclusion and success of those students are highlighted.