University News

WIU: Best for Vets College 2022

September 13, 2022

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – For 12 years in a row, Western Illinois University has been selected as a Military Times "Best for Vets College" by Military Times magazine. Western is the only Illinois public institution in the top 55. Over 310 schools appear on the 2022 list.

According to the Military Times, more than 300 schools - from four-year to two-year, public, private and trade schools - responded to a survey detailing programs, policies and resources for veterans. Institutions were evaluated in five categories: university culture, student support, academic policies, academic outcomes/quality, and cost and financial aid.

"For more than 120 years, WIU has been devoted to serving veterans and active duty personnel. The ongoing recognition we receive for the necessary – and deserved – services, program and support we provide to our veterans and active duty service personnel demonstrates our University's long commitment to supporting members of the armed forces," said President Guiyou Huang.

The University has also been recognized by U.S.News & World Report for as "Best for Veterans School'' (Midwest - #17) and as a "Military Friendly School" by Viqtory/Military Friendly, achieving "Gold" status for 2022-23. Western ranked number two in the United States for small public universities earning the Gold Top Ten status.

In addition to providing flexible academic options, the University has numerous support programs in place, such as the University's Wright Residence, which serves as the Veterans Resource Center (VRC). The VRC 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 space and student-veteran peer assistants who work with student-veterans. Western's Beu Health Center partners with the Iowa City VA Healthcare System to provide the only tele-mental health facility in the nation to be located on a college campus.

The Center for Military/Academic Transition and Health (CMATH) on the WIU campus provides psychiatry, psychology and mental health counseling services through secure video conferencing; these services are available to WIU student veterans, as well as community veterans, who already have their military benefits in place. Contact the CMATH clinic at (309) 298-3697 for further information.

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

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