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Galloway, N.J. — For the second year in a row, �鶹��ý has been recognized as a Top 10 school in the country for its outstanding outreach to military veterans.

Stockton was selected No. 10 among small public schools nationwide in the . And for the first time, Stockton ranked No. 5 in the country among small public schools in the Military Spouse Friendly Survey. Stockton is the top-ranked small school in New Jersey in both categories. It’s the fourth year in a row that Stockton obtained a Military Friendly designation.

The survey is the longest-running and most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students. It’s sent out by VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment and educational and entrepreneurial opportunities.

“These designations highlight our unwavering commitment to the entire military community,” said Michael Barany, director of Stockton’s . “They are a testament to the strong partnerships across campus that help ensure our military-connected students thrive.”

Barany said one significant enhancement to the MVSC this year has been monthly visits by a veteran service officer from the New Jersey Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, who assists students directly with U.S. Veterans Affairs disability claims and benefits and other veteran programming.

“This demonstrates Stockton’s proactive and comprehensive approach to student support through a ‘whole community’ approach that leverages the MVSC’s external partners,” he said.

Additionally, each spring a group of Stockton student veterans follow in the footsteps of the legendary Greek king Odysseus when they travel to Greece for a specialized seminar. “Troy To Ithaca: A Soldier’s Journey Home,” is a groundbreaking program that provides military veterans a point of reference in adjusting to civilian life with a portion of much-needed recovery in an uncommon learning environment.

Barany added that the student group Military Affiliated Students of Stockton (M.A.S.S.) has increased its activity on campus in the past year. Attendance at the group’s monthly meetings is matching pre-COVID levels, and for the first time M.A.S.S. is hosting a blood drive on April 15.

“It has really provided greater avenues of connection, support and community-building among military-affiliated students,” Barany said of the student group. “Ultimately, this Military Friendly Designation recognizes the hard work and commitment of the MVSC and Stockton as a whole in increasing the success of military-affiliated students personally, academically and professionally.”

Institutions earning the Military Friendly �鶹��ý Awards designation were evaluated using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans and responses to the proprietary, data-friendly Military Friendly �鶹��ý survey from participating institutions. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025-2026 survey.

“Military Friendly is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community,” said Kayla Lopez, national director of Military Partnerships for Military Friendly. “This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. �鶹��ý who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.”

The goal of the Military and Veteran Success Center at �鶹��ý is to ensure Stockton’s military-affiliated students — who are military veterans, active duty, reserve, National Guard service members, and their dependents (spouses and children) — succeed personally, academically, and professionally by providing access to affordable, quality education, and comprehensive support services to more than 400 military-affiliated students. The center serves as a “first-stop shop” by assisting military-affiliated students and veterans in the transition to civilian life by coordinating the certification of education benefits for which they are eligible, providing socialization opportunities, a military-affiliated student club and the guidance, advocacy and referrals to veteran/military service organizations and college services that support their academic success.

For more information about �鶹��ý’s Military and Veterans Success Center, email omvs@stockton.edu or call 609-652-4315.

-- Story by Mark Melhorn, photo by Susan Allen