SRU earns national endorsement for military support

Slippery Rock University received the Colleges of Distinction’s 2020-21 Military Support badge, recognizing SRU’s support of its student veterans and military-affiliated students.

Sept. 4, 2020

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Colleges of Distinction has recognized Slippery Rock University for its outstanding commitment to military support.

SRU received COD's 2020-21 Military Support badge for ensuring that "military students are supported through comprehensive education benefits, a committed military and veterans affairs team, flexible options, trained faculty, and dedicated campus activities and community support."

"Institutions with the military support recognition are aware of the unique challenges military students face on college campuses," said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer at Colleges of Distinction.

SRU helps support its military-affiliated students through the President's Commission for Veteran and Military Affairs.

Since its creation in 2018, the PCVMA advocates for more than 100 SRU students who identify as veterans and more than 450 military-affiliated students who are either reservists, active-duty, discharged or retired military, contracted ROTC cadets or dependents in military families.

The goals of the PCVMA include advocating and facilitating communication on behalf of military-affiliated students concerning policy and procedure advisement, and training programs to help inform community members of the unique challenges these students face.

"The SRU community is incredibly supportive of military members and their service," said Ryan Stryffeler, SRU instructor of English and co-chair of the PCVMA. "That's important to a lot of people and they show a lot of genuine adoration for people who have and are currently serving their country. That support is helpful when we are trying to increase the awareness and visibility of the military experience, especially in how a military-affiliated student's experience may have some hurdles that are a little distinct from average students."

PCVMA supports military-affiliated students through programming, extracurriculars and resources both on and off campus, including the ROTC, Student Veterans Association, military-designated tutor support and a relationship with the Butler Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

COD has recognized and honored schools throughout the U.S. for excellence in undergraduate-focused higher education for 20 years. The member schools within the COD consortium distinguish themselves through their focus on the undergraduate experience.

For more information about the awards, visit the Colleges of Distinction website.

To learn more about SRU's PCVMA and other commissions, click here.

MEDIA CONTACT: Lesa Bressanelli | 724.738.2091 | lnb1009@sru.edu