College Again Named a Military Friendly® School
(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA • December 7, 2017)—Delaware County Community College recently earned a 2017-18 Military Friendly® School designation by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs®, STEM JobsSM, and Military Spouse. Now in its ninth year, the Military Friendly® Schools designation provides service members and their families with transparent, data-driven ratings about post-military education and training opportunities.
“The Military Friendly® School designation recognizes the important work we do at the College to create a welcoming environment for active, reserve and former members of the U.S. Armed Services and their families,” said Delaware County Community College President Dr. L. Joy Gates Black, a U.S. military veteran who attended college under the G.I. bill while serving in the Air Force.
Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from Victory Media’s proprietary survey. The public data included information about an institution’s success in degree transfer, advancement, graduation and/or job placement.
The survey covered six areas deemed by Victory Media to be important to helping veterans thrive on campus, and eventually in the workplace, including: student support and retention; graduation and career; financial aid and assistance; culture and commitment; admissions and orientation; and academic policies and compliance. In each of these categories, Delaware County Community College exceeded the benchmark standards required for the Military Friendly® designation. The College has received Military Friendly® designation in each of the past several years.
Delaware County Community College is a recognized community leader in serving veterans. The College offers credit for military training and knowledge that applies to a course; career counseling; and day, evening, weekend and online classes. The College has staff skilled in helping veterans and their family members navigate the intricacies of U.S. government benefits and financial aid.
Many of the College’s staff and faculty are veterans. Each year, on the days leading up to Veterans Day, the College honors them by displaying on campus televisions and computer screens, side-by-side photos showing them in uniform, during their days in the military, and in civilian attire today.
In January 2017, the College opened a Veterans Center at its Marple Campus through the generous donations of local businesswoman Pam Mariani and the Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation. The Center is equipped with computers, satellite cable, a Prisoner of War (POW) table, military flags and other amenities. It serves as a space for studying, socializing and veterans-focused programming.