OSU recognized for its commitment to military affiliated students, faculty, and staff

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Media Contact: Jeff Hopper | Communications and Media Relations Manager | 405-744-5827 | [email protected]

Oklahoma State University has been ranked as one of the best employers and institutions for veterans by Forbes, Military Times and Oklahoma Veterans United.

OSU was ranked No. 17 in the Best Employers for Veterans by Forbes and recognized as a Veteran Employer Champion for the fourth straight year by Oklahoma Veterans United. Also, OSU Institute of Technology and OSU-Stillwater were ranked as No. 1 and No. 3 in the state in the Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges rankings.

"As the daughter of a combat veteran, I have seen firsthand: All gave some, and some gave all," OSU President Kayse Shrum said. "The Office for Military Affiliated Student Support shows great pride and commitment in the efforts of supporting our veteran students and employees. This is the essence of the Cowboy Family."

Employer rankings for Forbes were based on surveys of over 24,000 veterans who work for companies with over 1,000 employees in the U.S. Criteria for ranking included if the respondent would recommend their company or institution to friends and family, and specific employer criteria such as work atmosphere and salary to health benefits, career development opportunities and programs tailored to veterans.

Oklahoma Veterans United awards their Veteran Employer Champion designation to companies that meet seven benchmarks, including: Veteran recruitment, hiring and retention; active veteran engagement with onboarding, VERG (Veteran Employee Resource Group), or buddy program; support for veteran community programs and events; specific resources and supports for veteran employees; executive sponsor leading veteran strategies; provide support for guard and reserve beyond USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act of 1994); and provide opportunities for veterans/military members to show their pride.

"At OSU, we're committed to supporting our veterans and military-affiliated students and staff, both in and beyond their military service," said Jenn Lane, OSU Veterans Faculty and Staff Association president. "Ranking No. 17 on Forbes magazine's Best Employers for Veterans list and earning the Oklahoma Veteran Employer Champion Award for four consecutive years highlights our dedication to building an inclusive environment where veterans thrive. We're proud to provide opportunities, resources and a community that honors and uplifts those who have served our country. Supporting those who have dedicated their lives to our safety and freedom is both our duty and privilege."

Military Times uses a scoring rubric focusing on six key components: success metrics, resources, financials, admissions, human resources and record keeping. Points are totaled in those areas and compared to the total number of possible points, and then similar institutions are compared.

The ranking looks at services available to veterans and practical information that will help veterans make important decisions about their career planning and how to use the education benefits they earned through military service.

"These rankings are a testament to our collective effort to create an environment where veterans and military-affiliated family members feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed," said Vincent Rivera, Military Affiliated Student Support coordinator. "It's not just about the numbers; it's about recognizing the sacrifices made by our veterans and ensuring they have the resources and respect they deserve as they transition to civilian life or continue their service in other capacities.

"All three achievements show that Oklahoma State University has an amazing, holistic approach to not only our students, but our staff and faculty as well."

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