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������’s distinguished history serving veterans and military families is once again being recognized, this time by the Military Times. According to Military Times’ Best for Vets: Colleges 2017 ranking, which was released today, ������ is the #1 private school in the country, #3 overall for service members, military veterans and their families.

“Today is a proud day for ������,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “I am grateful to the Military Times for acknowledging our commitment to being the number one place for veterans. Further, I am thankful to the thousands of veterans and their family members who have decided to earn their college degree at ������. I appreciate their great service to our country and want them to know there will always be a place for them at ������.”

The Best for Vets: Colleges 2017 ranking is an editorially independent news project that evaluates the many factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families. More than 500 colleges took part in this year’s detailed survey, which asks colleges and universities to meticulously document services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties, and to describe many aspects of veteran culture on campus. These institutions were evaluated in several categories, with university culture and academic outcomes bearing the most weight.

“This ranking reflects the hard work and enduring commitment of ������ to become the nation’s ‘best’ university for military-connected students, veterans and their families,” says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “This goal has been embraced across the entire university by faculty, staff, students and alumni alike, and the ranking is a testament to that collaboration and dedication throughout campus.”

During the past two years, ������ has worked hard to create a class-leading campus community in support of the nation’s veterans and their families. In this period, the University has seen veteran and military-connected enrollment double; more than $1.2 million has been raised for scholarships and other assistance for student veterans and ROTC cadets; and the ROTC program has grown to its highest enrollment levels in almost a decade.

The University will further its commitment to veterans and their families with the construction of the National Veterans Resource Complex (NVRC), a first-of-its-kind multi-use facility dedicated to advancing academic research, programming and community-connected innovation serving the social, economic and wellness concerns of the nation’s veterans and families. The NVRC will build upon and advance ������’s already strong national leadership in the veterans’ community, and serve as the center of veteran life on the campus of ������, in the local community and across Central New York.

Other initiatives designed to meet the unique needs of veterans and their families include: the Barnes Family Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities Program; the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans’ Families; the V-WISE program; and the Syracuse Veterans’ Writing Group, among many others.

For the full Best for Vets: Colleges 2017 rankings, and survey methodology, go to: .