Jax State earns Gold Military Friendly® designation for 2026–27
04/07/2026
Recognition highlights continued commitment to serving military-affiliated students
For veterans, active-duty service members, and military families considering their next step, Jacksonville State University continues to stand out as a place designed with their success in mind.
Jax State has been named a Gold Military Friendly® School for 2026–27 in the small public institution category, recognizing the university’s ongoing efforts to create strong academic pathways and support systems for those connected to military service. The university was also designated a Military Spouse Friendly School, further highlighting its commitment to serving the broader military community.
This marks the fifth time Jax State has earned a Military Friendly® designation—and the third consecutive year—highlighting a continued track record of support for military-affiliated students.
The Military Friendly® Schools designation is awarded based on both public data and responses to a comprehensive annual survey that evaluates institutions on factors such as student retention, graduation rates, job placement, and the availability of military-specific resources. The process is guided by an independent advisory council and designed to identify schools that deliver meaningful outcomes for military-affiliated students.
“Jax State is proud to support those who are serving and have served our country by providing clear pathways to complete their degrees and advance their careers,” Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Christie Shelton said. “This recognition highlights the work happening across our campus to ensure military-affiliated students are not only welcomed but positioned for success from their first day through graduation.”
Support for those students is coordinated through Jax State’s Veteran and Military Services office, which provides a centralized hub for military-affiliated students navigating admissions, benefits, and campus life. The office assists with VA education benefits, campus resources, and enrollment, while also helping students transition from military service to the classroom and ultimately into the workforce.
“Jax State values the experiences and contributions of military-connected students to our campus and local community,” said Dr. Justin Parker, Director of Veteran and Military Services. “Jax State has a long history of serving the military community through our Army ROTC program and military-specific support programming. We are constantly looking for new ways to improve the academic, personal, and professional journeys of our students. Jax State is a destination for military-connected students looking to improve their career trajectories.”
This work extends across campus through programs and services that make it easier for military-connected students to enroll, persist, and complete their degrees. From flexible course offerings to dedicated support staff familiar with military benefits and transitions, the university works to remove barriers and create a clear path from enrollment to career.
The recognition also reinforces Jax State’s role in supporting Alabama’s workforce by helping veterans and service members translate their experience into in-demand skills and credentials.
For prospective students with military ties, the designation provides added confidence that Jax State understands their needs—and is equipped to help them succeed.
Visit the Veteran and Military Services webpage to learn more about military-affiliated student resources at Jax State, or visit jsu.edu/admissions to begin the admissions process.
About Military Friendly®: Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 2,900 organizations compete annually for the Military Friendly® designation. Military Friendly® is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Military Friendly® is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly® lists and methodology can be found at https://www.militaryfriendly.com
Quote from Military Friendly®: “Earning the Military Friendly® designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution’s deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served. These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses, they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact. Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence.” — Kayla Lopez, Vice President of Memberships, Military Friendly®