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Georgia Gwinnett College has earned the bronze 2022-2023 Military Friendly® School designation.

The designation is awarded to universities, colleges, community colleges and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace military students and dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation.

Viqtory, the service-disabled, veteran-owned business that bestows the awards, explains the significance of the designation on its website:

“By setting a standard, then promoting it, we provide positive reinforcement for American organizations to invest in programs that improve the lives of veterans. That’s good for veterans, good for the organizations and good for America.”

Institutions earning the Military Friendly®School designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2022-2023 survey, with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard. That list is then provided to service members and their families, helping them select the best college, university, or trade school to receive the education and training needed to pursue a civilian career.

“This isn't the first time we’ve received this designation, but I am grateful that we are ‘back on the map’ for the upcoming school year,” said GGC’s director of Enrollment Communication Services Johnny Richardson. “It was a collaborative effort among departmental and campus partners to gather the information for the survey. We earned a bronze designation, which is great, but it means there is a lot more to do in support of our military personnel. GGC looks forward to continuing to enhance the services we provide our veterans and their families.”

Viqtory determined methodology, criteria, and weightings with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent higher education and military recruitment community leaders. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide an opportunity for the Military Community,” said Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®. “This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.”

GGC had perfect scores in several categories, greatly exceeding the standard in the financial aid and assistance and graduation and career categories, to name just two. GGC’s official statement on the Military Friendly website reads: “Military service members are uniquely qualified to add value to the classroom and the student body because of their experiences and mission focus. Military service members add tremendous value in accomplishing GGC’s mission and will benefit from the classroom experience and college engagement opportunities.”

The 2022-2023 list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.