Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) is proud to have earned a spot on Viqtory Media’s esteemed list of 2024-2025 “Military Friendly Schools.”
The university achieved “Silver Status” in the 2024-2025 rankings, making it the highest-ranking institution among Connecticut’s small universities included in the survey. Over 1,200 colleges and universities participated in this comprehensive survey.
“Since 1975, SCSU has upheld a proud tradition of serving active-duty military members, veterans, and their families,” said SCSU Interim President Dwayne Smith. “In recent years, we have significantly enhanced the resources we provide to support them throughout their educational journeys – both academically and in terms of their student experience and overall well-being. It is wonderful to see our university receive this well-deserved recognition. It has been long in the making.”
The designation brings the veteran experience full circle for alumna Britt Conroy, ‘16, MPH ‘20, who was appointed coordinator of veteran, military, and adult learner services in 2022. One of her first assignments upon receiving the post was to strengthen public awareness of Southern’s commitment to the military community.
After taking courses at Gateway Community College, Conroy enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving as a diagnostic imaging technologist for over six years and earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon completing her service, she chose to attend Southern, drawn by the university’s support for veterans.
“The Veterans’ Office helped me to navigate the complexities of applying for benefits and using my GI bill,” Conroy said. “I had such great experiences here as a student — to be able to continue to work here and to be one of those people that has a positive impact on students coming through is amazing.”
Southern has a dedicated a Veteran and Military Resource Center that serves as a “one-stop” shop for this unique student population. The center offers study space and staff members who can assist with unique needs pertaining to benefits or services available to them.
“Veterans bring a lot of experience and perspective to campus. Thinking of different kinds of creative ways to integrate and work that into the fabric of Southern is a top priority,” said Conroy.
Final ratings to achieve “Military Friendly” status were determined through institutional survey responses and public data sources offering insight into areas such as student retention and graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer), and loan default rates.
