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Sources: Pat Bosco, 785-532-6237, bosco@k-state.edu; and
Ruth Dyer, 785-532-6224, rdyer@k-state.edu
http://www.k-state.edu/media/mediaguide/bios/boscobio.html
http://www.k-state.edu/media/mediaguide/bios/dyerbio.html
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009
G.I. JOBS MAGAZINE PUTS K-STATE AMONG THE NATION'S TOP MILITARY-FRIENDLY SCHOOLS
MANHATTAN -- G.I. Jobs magazine has designated Kansas State University one of the most military-friendly schools in the nation for 2010.
The honor means that K-State is in the top 15 percent of all colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide, and that the university actively recruits military students and offers programs to meet their needs. G.I. Jobs magazine is a publication aimed at helping those affiliated with the military to continue their education and transition into the civilian work force.
This is the second publication that has recognized K-State for being military-friendly. For the last two years, Military Advanced Education magazine has recognized K-State for its commitment to serving military students, ranking it among the top 60 institutions in the nation in 2009.
K-State has provided educational opportunities to military personnel and their families for more than 100 years through programs and services for Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth, on campus and through distance education. In spring 2009, nearly 1,000 members of the military or their dependents were enrolled at K-State, with more than 300 of those students pursuing graduate-level degrees.
"K-State has a historic commitment to military personnel and their dependents," said Pat Bosco, K-State's vice president for student life and dean of students. "Our relationship to the military is an essential part of what we do."
K-State has numerous programs aimed at understanding and supporting the needs of military personnel, including:
* The Institute for the Health and Security of Military Families was recently formed to address the health and well-being of military personnel, veterans and their families "after the battle." The institute will coordinate a multidisciplinary group of researchers tackling issues such as the effects of trauma on deployed personnel and family, and the effects of deployment on marriage, children, employment and family income. The institute also will provide K-State students with specialized training on working with military families, conduct comprehensive research on military family issues and provide services to the state of Kansas and the nation that address the current and future needs of military families.
* K-State has worked with Fort Leavenworth's Command and General Staff College for nearly 20 years to administer master's and doctoral degree programs in operations research, adult and continuing education, security studies and history. As of spring 2009, these partnership programs have resulted in nearly 600 master's and doctoral degrees, with recently added graduate certificate programs reaching more than 130 additional students at Fort Leavenworth.
* K-State's office of student financial assistance has a dedicated counselor who specializes in scholarship and financial aid opportunities for members of the military and their dependents. In addition, K-State has created a special merit-based scholarship program for college-bound children and spouses of Fort Riley soldiers, and assists with access to other military-specific financial aid opportunities.
* K-State offers a Military and Veterans Campus Visit Day for prospective students with military ties to learn firsthand about the resources available to military personnel and their families.
* K-State has long had an office at Fort Riley to provide initial information and enrollment advice for K-State classes. In addition, K-State Research and Extension recently opened an office at Fort Riley and is set to offer services and programs to military families later this year. A similar arrangement is being considered at Fort Leavenworth.
* K-State's School of Family Studies and Human Services and the College of Human Ecology also have worked together on several military-related research projects, including one examining the factors families consider when deciding to relocate when their soldiers are transferred to Fort Riley. This project resulted in several substantive changes at the post to encourage relocation. Another project will study aspects of traumatic brain injuries. Several programs also have been developed for military youth and families.
* The Saunders Barracks at K-State's Jardine Complex provides housing for ROTC and other military students. The building opened in fall 2008 and was made possible through a donation from ret. Col. H. Duane and Bonnie Saunders, Eden Prairie, Minn.
* K-State at Salina has partnered with the Kansas National Guard to establish the unmanned aerial vehicle program, which will develop training and operational procedures for using unmanned aerial systems when responding to emergencies.
In addition, K-State offers various educational opportunities at both Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth, such as a class in Arabic language, and through distance education.
K-State will receive a plaque commemorating its distinction as a military friendly school and the university will be featured in the G.I. Jobs 2010 Guide to Military Friendly Schools to be published in September.
