BOONE—G.I. Jobs, the premier magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has awarded Appalachian State University the designation of Military Friendly School. The 2012 Military Friendly Schools® list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members and veterans as students.

This is the third year Appalachian has been included on the list.

“I am very pleased that Appalachian has again been named a Military Friendly School and will appear in the 2012 Guide to Military Friendly Schools,” said Lloyd Scott, director of admissions.

“As a nation that’s been at war almost continuously for the past 10 years, it is essential that we provide services for military veterans, active duty military personnel and their dependents.  Appalachian State University has a long tradition of supporting our U.S. military and our veterans,” he said. “This designation provides recognition that we are supportive of our military, not only as they apply to continue their education, but once they are on campus, attending classes and participating in the many aspects of student life that make Appalachian so special.”

In its effort to further help student veterans find the right school, for the first time G.I. Jobs incorporated a survey of student veterans. This feedback provides prospective military students with insight into the student veteran experience at a particular institution based on peer reviews from current students. Student veteran survey feedback is online at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com/2012 list.

Michael Dakduk, executive director for the Student Veterans of America, said, “the Military Friendly Schools list is the go-to resource for prospective student veterans searching for schools that provide the right overall experience. Nothing is more compelling than actual feedback from current student veterans.”

Appalachian has full-time veteran counselors or advisors on staff, a veteran specific page on the university’s financial aid website, a chapter of the Student Veterans Association on campus and assists veterans with career placement.

Lt. Col. David Cox, chair of the Department of Military Science and Leadership, was an ROTC Army cadet at Appalachian in the 1980s, returned as an ROTC instructor in the 1990s and was selected by the Army to lead the ROTC program at Appalachian in May.

“I have seen the support Appalachian provides to military-affiliated students firsthand and I can tell you it is first class,” Cox said. “The university has a long history of support to students from all of the military components – active duty, National Guard, reserves and veterans. Every department at Appalachian has been willing to help military-affiliated students in any way possible.”

Jennifer Coffey, assistant director of financial aid and school certifying officer in Appalachian’s Office of Student Financial Aid, helps veterans who are attending Appalachian obtain educational benefits offered through the G.I. Bill. She replaced Teresa Johnson who held the position for 22 years before retiring. “Teresa helped Appalachian become a Military Friendly School, and I only hope to continue the tradition in the years to come,” Coffey said. “This university has an amazing culture and it is easy to say that we are all family.  I know that we will continue to welcome and support our military members and their dependents as they join the university family.”

The 1,518 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list prioritize the recruitment of students with military experience. These schools are making the grade by offering scholarships and discounts, veterans’ clubs, full-time staff, military credit and other services to those who served, according to G.I. Jobs.

The 2012 list of Military Friendly Schools® was compiled through extensive research and a data driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board (AAB) consisting of educators from schools across the country.

The newly redesigned website, www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, features the list, interactive tools and search functionality to assist military veterans with their school decisions.

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