Shenandoah University Named A 2026-27 Military Friendly® School
SU awarded silver designation in recognition of its support for veterans
Shenandoah University was recognized as a 2026-27 Military Friendly® School, earning a Silver School designation for the third time.
Institutions earning a Military Friendly® designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey that was completed by over 3,200 schools. Shenandoah was one of 878 schools to receive a 2026-27 Military Friendly® Schools designation, according to the 2026-27 Military Friendly® Schools Data Snapshot.
Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by Military Friendly® in consultation with the Military Friendly® Advisory Council, a group of independent leaders in the military community. Final ratings were determined by combining a school’s survey score, public data, and an assessment of the school’s ability to meet and exceed thresholds for student recruitment, retention, academic progress, graduation rates, career placement and support services for veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses.
Shenandoah University is a Yellow Ribbon school and is G.I. Bill approved. The university provides support services for veteran students and their families primarily through its Veterans, Military and Families Center (VMFC) – located in Hazel-Pruitt Armory, home of the Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE) – and Shenandoah Veterans and Supporters, a student-led organization. Additionally, the university has hosted recurring events such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars awards ceremony, a 9/11 ceremony, Salute to Veterans Week, and an honor flight. In February 2026, Shenandoah hosted “A Salute to Our Veterans,” a networking event that drew over 70 attendees and connected veterans to community partners, university leaders and supporters.
“Without the support of our administration, students, faculty and staff, none of what we do for our military-affiliated students would be possible,” said Niccole Hess, Shenandoah University’s director of online managed programs and veterans benefits. “We are forever grateful for our freedoms, and supporting veterans, military members, and their families through their academic journey is an honor. We’re proud that Military Friendly® has highlighted Shenandoah University’s efforts with a Silver School designation.”
“Earning the Military Friendly® designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution’s deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served,” said Kayla Lopez, vice president of memberships for Military Friendly®. “These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses, they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact. Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence.”
About Military Friendly®
Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 2,900 organizations compete annually for the Military Friendly® designation. Military Friendly® is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Military Friendly® is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly® lists and methodology can be found at https://www.militaryfriendly.com.
