Tusculum College named a ‘Military Friendly School’

militaryfriendlylogoTusculum College has been named to G.I. Jobs’ 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.

Schools on the list range from state universities and private colleges to community colleges and trade schools. The common bond is their shared priority of recruiting students with military experience.

“Tusculum College has a long history of providing programs that allow the adult student to be able to achieve their dream of higher education while balancing the responsibilities of career and family,” said Jacquelyn D. Elliott, vice president for enrollment management at Tusculum College.

“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. It’s especially important now with so many schools competing for military students,” said Derek Blumke, president of Student Veterans of America and a member of the list’s Academic Advisory Board.

Schools on the Military Friendly Schools list also offer additional benefits to student veterans such as on-campus veterans programs, credit for service, military spouse programs and more.

Tusculum College started the Yellow Ribbon program in August 2009. Under the program, the school matches dollars put in by the Veterans Administration so veterans can work toward their advanced degree as well as qualify for money to help with housing. There are already more than 20 students enrolled in Tusculum degree programs who are receiving the Yellow Ribbon benefits.

“The Yellow Ribbon program allows the College to further fulfill her mission by acknowledging the service and commitment of those who have served our country by providing them with financial support to complete their education.” said Tusculum College President Dr. Nancy B. Moody. “With the variety of locations, programs, majors, degrees and scheduling options offered at Tusculum College, we are uniquely suited to serve those whose educational path was interrupted or who are considering beginning or continuing their higher education.”

The Yellow Ribbon program is applicable towards all Tusculum College degree programs, which include traditional undergraduate programs, as well as the Graduate and Professional Studies programs. Tuition benefits under the program are also available to both full and part-time students.

In addition, Tusculum College has a long standing relationship with United States Navy through its partnership with the U.S.S. Greeneville submarine. Since its christening, Tusculum College has partnered with the crew members, offering an annual scholarship to crewmen and/or members of their family. To date, three people benefiting from that relationship have become Tusculum College alumni and one more has applied to attend next year.

Tusculum College has long offered assistance to veterans returning to higher education and Veterans Affairs Coordinator Pat Simons is available to specifically support veterans with their admissions and financial aid questions. For more information on the Yellow Ribbon program or others assistance provided by the College, contact Simons at 423-636-7300.

The G.I. Jobs Military Friendly School List was compiled through exhaustive research starting last April 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 Board consisting of educators from Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Colorado State University, Dallas County Community College, Old Dominion University, Cleveland State University, Lincoln Technical Institute and Embry Riddle.

Criteria for making the Military Friendly Schools list included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran students and academic accreditations.