College of Charleston recognized nationally as a Top Veteran School

The College of Charleston, with its robust Veteran and Military Student Services programming, is being recognized as a Top Veteran School in this month’s U.S. Veterans Magazine. The College earned Best of the Best recognition for setting the standard for veteran and family support.

The Top Veteran School achievement highlights the College’s mission, veteran support initiatives and the positive impact the university has on military-connected students.

“This is a significant accomplishment, and we are grateful for this national recognition,” says Jessica Wilkes, director for Veteran and Military Student Services. “Being named a Top Veteran School recognizes the hard work we do all year to honor service and support student-veterans on their College journey.”

Veteran and Military Student Services offers veteran peer advising, a dedicated space for veteran and active-duty students to study, relax and call home, and a student-led Student Veteran Association, all dedicated to helping students like Mark Harde and many others make a successful adjustment from service to school.

Harde, who is studying supply chain management and plans to graduate in May of 2027, says the award is well-deserved. “Given the large number of veterans at the College, everyone I’ve spoken to feels a great sense of community and belonging. I have personally met a great number of friends, and we are all there for each other, and the rest of the students don’t treat us any differently,” he says.

Over the summer, the College collaborated with the Warrior-Scholar Project to host student-veterans from across the nation for an academic boot camp designed to prepare them for college-level coursework.

Veteran and Military Student Services provides a one-stop shop for the College of Charleston’s approximately 265 student veterans, who can start their college journey by applying for admission and educational benefits, if eligible.

Along with utilizing services and resources like the veterans lounge, peer advising and faculty support, Harde says he appreciates staff assistance with the financial management side of earning a degree. “Transitioning out of the military can be a nightmare, but College doesn’t need to be,” he says.

According to the magazine’s methodology, Best of the Best spotlights programs that demonstrate a meaningful commitment to serving the military community. U.S. Veterans Magazine says honorees share a common goal: creating environments where veterans and military-connected individuals can learn, grow and thrive.

About Top Veteran Recognitions 

Each year, U.S. Veterans Magazine conducts select evaluations of the nation’s employers, law enforcement agencies, veteran outreach programs and schools. These evaluations identify the top veteran organizations in terms of outreach and accessibility to veterans, military families and spouses, and transitioning service members. These non-biased studies are a valuable resource for the publication’s readers, job seekers, business owners, students, transitioning veterans and consumers.

About U.S. Veterans Magazine

The magazine is dedicated to providing veterans and their families with valuable resources to support both their active military lifestyle and their transition to civilian life. Our goal is to offer comprehensive content that covers a wide range of topics, including career opportunities, education, finance, health and wellness. Through our magazine, we aim to empower our readers with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the unique challenges they face and to celebrate their achievements and contributions to society.

About ConnectComm Media

The proud publisher of U.S. Veterans Magazine is committed to being a premier provider of information and resources for various communities. Our mission is to create multimedia platforms that effectively connect organizations with their target audiences, ensuring that important messages and opportunities reach those who need them most. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality content and strategic solutions that promote integration, valuation and success across all demographics.