Nebraska is again ranked among the nation’s leading universities for veteran success.
For the second year in a row, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln finished among the top 30 in the Military Times Best: Colleges rankings. In the 2018 survey, Nebraska finished 29th out of the 600 participating schools. The rankings, which were released Nov. 20, also feature Nebraska’s Military and Veteran Success Center in the lead photo about the survey.
“This ranking is a reflection of the university’s dedication to providing opportunities for our student veterans to be successful,” said Darrell Everhart, director of the Military and Veteran Success Center. “The support from staff and faculty has been wonderful. What’s also impressive are the accomplishments and determination of our student veterans to succeed.
“Rankings are good, but the seed of success grows when you take time to get to know a student veteran and the impact they can have on campus.”
Formerly known as Best for Vets, the survey is compiled by Military Times, an independent military news outlet. Institutions of higher education across the United States participate by completing a rigorous survey of nearly 150 questions about campus services that support current and former military members and their families.
Only 218 of the 600 participating universities made the final rankings.
“Of the hundreds of schools that applied, fewer than half received the Military Times Best: Colleges designation this year,” said George Altman, Military Times editor. “Only the best made the cut.”
The surveys are combined with information provided by veterans, data from federal veteran affairs and defense departments, and education department details to formulate the annual Military Times rankings. Learn more about the methodology behind the rankings.
Everhart said a key improvement for Nebraska in the survey is growth in staff support, which rose from 2.5 stars in 2017 to 3.5 stars in 2018.
Key Military and Veteran Success Center initiatives that helped the university achieve its back-to-back top 30 rankings include:
Establishing campus partnerships with ROTC programs, the Student Veterans Organization, admissions representatives, student advisers, and faculty;
Making space available to allow weekly “office hours” with a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs representative;
Reaching out to National Guard units in Lincoln;
Offering career presentations led by local, state and national employers; and
Working with students in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications to develop a communications and marketing plan to help educate campus about programs and services.
