The University of Missouri–St. Louis is listed among the top 15 percent of American colleges, universities and trade schools when it comes to supporting student veterans.

UMSL received the Military Friendly School® title on Sept. 23 from Victory Media, a veteran-owned media company that provides resources for military personnel transitioning into civilian life. The university will be listed in the printed 2015 Guide to Military Friendly Schools along with other post-secondary institutions honored for a strong commitment to the country’s service members, veterans and their spouses and families.

“This is great news, and it puts us at the top of colleges serving the military nationwide,” said retired Army Lt. Col. James Craig, associate teaching professor and chair of the Department of Military and Veterans Studies at UMSL. “It is also a well-deserved recognition of the work this university has been doing to support veterans and service members over the past year or so.”

According to Victory Media, the selections are based on a rigorous, quantitative assessment of more than 8,000 schools approved for post-Sept. 11 G.I. Bill funding.

UMSL’s support for student veterans has grown dramatically in a matter of months. The popular Veterans Center in Clark Hall 211 opened in late 2012, offering space for study and socializing and serving as a convenient hub of assistance and resources. The academic department Craig oversees is also young, established in the fall of 2013. And veteran enrollment is up 17 percent from a year ago.

Learn more about the recent growth here.