“G.I. Jobs” has announced the release of its 2011 list of Military Friendly Schools. The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities, and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students.
           
Southwestern College Professional Studies is on the list for the third year in a row.
           
“This list is especially important now because the Post-9/11 GI Bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school,” said Rich McCormack, “G.I. Jobs” publisher. “Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they’re academically qualified. So schools are clamoring for them like never before. Veterans need a trusted friend to help them decide where to get educated. The Military Friendly Schools list is that trusted friend.”
           
Derek Blumke, president of Student Veterans of America and a member of the list’s academic advisory board, agrees.
            
“The Military Friendly Schools list is the gold standard in letting veterans know which schools will offer them the greatest opportunity, flexibility, and overall experience,” Blumke says.  “It’s especially important now with so many schools competing for military students.”

The list was compiled through research starting last May during which G.I. Jobs polled more than 7,000 schools nationwide. Methodology, criteria, and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Committee consisting of educators and administrators from Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Toledo, Duquesne University, Coastline Community College, and Lincoln Technical Institute.
           
“Facilitating the educational needs of service members all over the world with a wide array of online course/programs is certainly a hallmark for Professional Studies,” according to Karen Pedersen, vice president for Southwestern College Professional Studies. “We’re excited to once again to be named to the G.I. Jobs top 50 military serving institutions. It is an honor.”