TWU Earns Gold Veterans Excellence Award

Sept. 14, 2026 - DENTON - The Texas Veterans Commission has awarded Texas Woman's University the Gold Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award (VEERA), the state's highest honor for supporting student veterans and military-connected students.

Established by the Texas State Legislature under Texas Government Code § 434.252, the VEERA program highlights public colleges and universities that deliver outstanding education, tailored resources, and comprehensive support services to military-connected communities.

"Receiving the gold VEERA designation reflects our deep commitment to those who have served our country," said Amy O'Keefe, Executive Director of CARE. "At Texas Woman's, we strive to create an inclusive, supportive environment where student veterans and their families have the resources and community they need to achieve academic and career success."

While women remain a minority across the U.S. armed forces overall, female veterans and dependents make up the vast majority of TWU's 964 military-connected students.

Through face-to-face support, specialized advising, and active partnerships with our community like the Denton County Veterans Service Office, TWU works to ensure student-veteran needs are met on and off campus.

"When I was hunting for a college as a veteran, I checked out several schools and wasn't finding what I was looking for," said Joshua Boliek, TWU Student Veteran Association president and U.S. Navy submarine veteran. "TWU felt different-truly welcoming. Faculty members walked me through classes and productions in detail, and my acting professor made me feel like I belonged right from day zero. That genuine warmth opened doors I didn't know were there, and it's exactly why I chose TWU."

TWU secured the gold designation after a thorough application process demonstrating its dedicated infrastructure, academic support, and community initiatives tailored specifically to help student veterans transition successfully from military service to higher education and the workforce. It was the university's first time to apply for the recognition.

The VEERA is presented at gold, silver, and bronze levels to highlight the depth and breadth of services provided to veteran students and their families.The gold status reinforces TWU's position as a premier institution for military-connected students across Texas, highlighting key programs such as specialized advising, dedicated veteran campus spaces and tailored career development support.

TWU representatives will officially accept the award during the Texas A&M System Military-Affiliated Symposium scheduled for Oct. 5-6.

Page last updated 1:54 PM, September 14, 2026