University News

WIU: Top School 2017 MAE&T Guide to Colleges & Universities

January 23, 2017

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- Western Illinois University is one of four Illinois public universities designated as a Top School in the Military Advanced Education & Transition (MAE&T) 2017 Guide to Colleges and Universities, which measures best practices in military and veteran education.

The Guide presents results of a questionnaire of the military-supportive policies enacted at hundreds of institutions including private, public, for-profit, not-for-profit, four-year and two-year colleges. Schools are evaluated by their achievement in military culture, financial aid, flexibility, general support services, on-campus support and online support services.

The 2017 Guide is printed in the December issue of Military Advanced Education & Transition, and is also published in a searchable database online. Students have access to all the survey questions and answers provided by the schools, as well as explanations about critical issues like activation and deployment policies, withdrawal policies, scholarship and financial aid information and important support information.

In addition to being named a "Top School" in the recent MAE&T Guide, Western has also been designated a "Military Friendly School" by "G.I. Jobs" Magazine (Victory Media) for eight consecutive years, and this year, WIU achieved "Gold" School Status in the "Large Public School" category (more than 10,000 students). For seven consecutive years, WIU has been selected as a "Best for Vets College" – Top 175 Schools by Military Times EDGE magazine. This year, Western, ranked 13th (from 15th in the 2016 rankings), is the only Illinois public four-year university in the 2017 list's top 50 and is one of two Illinois public universities in the top 95.

Along with offering the Bachelor of General Studies degree and flexible academic studies and support to active military personnel and veterans, for many years Western has provided the resources these men and women need upon entering – or returning to – school.

The University's Wright Residence, which serves as the Veterans Resource Center, provides streamlined services and resources in a centralized location to ensure that all veterans, guard members, reservists and active duty personnel receive individual assistance with any question or concern they may encounter. The center also sponsors a series of group seminars/workshops each year based on the current needs of its military student population.

The center has established partnerships with various campus and community organizations. Students gain direct access to a comprehensive array of services such as VA benefits, financial assistance, disability resources, health care, career development and personal wellness. The center also features computer access, a study/meeting room, a lounge and a three-season porch. Four student-veteran peer assistants work with student-veterans to help navigate state and federal applications, obtain school and military records and transition to the community.

For more information about veterans' resources at Western Illinois University, contact Kathy Meyers at KJ-Meyers@wiu.edu or (309) 298-3505.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing