UW-Eau Claire remains a top 10 military-friendly college

“I am proud that UW-Eau Claire continues to be recognized for creating opportunities and giving back to those veterans who have given so much to our country,” UW-Eau Claire Interim Chancellor Michael Carney says. “Like all Blugolds, our veterans and their families deserve excellent support, and this year’s recognition is a testament to the great work our faculty and staff are doing to help these students.”

Institutions earning the military-friendly designation have been evaluated through survey responses and public data. More than 2,900 schools participated in the 2026-27 survey, with 878 earning special awards for going above the standard. This data was provided by the 2026-2027 Military Friendly® Schools Data Snapshot.

UW-Eau Claire ranked highly in several categories, including support and retention, admissions and orientation, graduation and career outcomes, financial aid and loan repayment, along with culture and commitment.

Miranda Cross-Schindler, adult and military service manager, says recognition like this from Viqtory Media goes a long way in affirming the dedication and measures she and other support staff put in place to ensure all military-connected students at UW-Eau Claire feel valued and supported throughout their entire educational journey.

“The Veteran Services office supports all military-connected students, including veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and their spouses and dependents,” Cross-Schindler says.

“While many students initially connect with our office for assistance with education benefits, our work extends beyond that first point of contact. We take a holistic approach, helping students navigate and access campus resources while fostering connections with faculty and staff to support their success throughout their time at UW-Eau Claire and beyond.”

One main support Cross-Schindler sees as critical for military-connected students is the campus Veterans Center, where all military students find dedicated study space, staff support and a physical space to make connections with one another.

Remodeled in 2021 thanks to a generous alumni donation, this space is now in line for a potential rebrand, one meant to give the space a name more reflective of the breadth of UW-Eau Claire’s military population, not exclusively veterans.

"Over the past decade, the number of students who are children and spouses of veterans using the Wisconsin GI Bill has increased by 89%, reflecting significant growth in this military-connected population. In response, we are continually assessing and adapting to their evolving needs," Cross-Schindler says. 

"Through ongoing conversations with veterans — particularly those whose children are now attending — we have heard consistent agreement that a more inclusive name would help their dependents feel a stronger sense of belonging. As a result, one potential change under consideration is rebranding the Veterans Center as the Military Resource Center to more accurately reflect and better support both those who have served and their family members connected to military service."