Southeastern designated a Military Spouse Friendly School
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University has been named a Military Spouse
Friendly® School for 2022-2023.
Viqtory Media, publisher of “G.I. Jobs,” states the listing honors the top colleges,
universities and trade schools for their leading practices, outcomes and effective
programs for military spouses.
“Southeastern has made a concerted effort in the past several years to focus
on military service members, veterans and their families,” said Director of Military
and Veteran Success Matt Watkins, a U.S. Air Force Veteran. “Southeastern has created
innovative programming, services, events and resources for our veterans, dependents
and military population. All of our staff members feel there is no greater calling
than serving those who have served us.”
Southeastern enrolls 591 veterans, dependents and military service members. The
university maintains a Veterans Upward Bound program; provides academic and other
counseling services; offers scholarships specifically for military students and veterans;
and maintains a wide range of online and distance learning programs that provide students
with flexibility in scheduling.
Southeastern’s ROTC program, which is a sub-unit of the Southern University Army
ROTC program, returned to Hammond in 2016 after more than a 20-year hiatus. Fifty-five
students now participate in the program.
Southeastern also serves as a resource center for thousands of Louisiana veterans
in an effort to help active-duty military service men and women successfully transition
to college through a new program called LaVetCorps.
Additionally, Southeastern now has an Office of Military and Veteran Success.
The new office includes two college employees, a LaVetCorps employee and 10 veteran
ambassadors and student workers. The office offers help with academic advising related
to VA education benefits, processing VA education benefits, counseling on VA education
benefits, programs, events, and priority registration.
“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven
standards in our designation process. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages
colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently and with purpose,” said
National Director of Military Partnerships for Military Friendly® Kayla Lopez. “Schools
who achieve designation show true commitment and dedication in their efforts. Our
standards assist schools by providing a benchmark that promotes positive educational
outcomes, resources, and support services that focuses on the betterment of the educational
landscape and provides positive outcomes and economic opportunity for the military
community.”
Viqtory Media is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business founded in
2001. In addition to “G.I. Jobs,” the company also publishes the magazine “Military
Spouse.”