Converse earns 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School Silver designation
April 28, 2025
Converse University has earned the 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School designation, an honor given to colleges, universities and schools that are doing the most to embrace military students and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation.
Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025-2026 survey with 830 earning special awards for going above the standard. Converse was recognized at the Silver level.
“We consider it an honor to serve military and veteran students who have given so much to our country,” said Converse President Dr. Boone Hopkins. “Our mission to empower students to become transformative leaders who see clearly, decide wisely, and act justly is in wonderful alignment with those who have adopted similar values through military service. We are proud to maintain this distinction, and we look forward to reaching more military members and veterans to help them find meaningful careers that embrace their commitment to serving others.”
Over the last two years, thanks to generous philanthropic funds and a partnership with Movement 2030, Converse has bolstered its services and staffing to support veterans and military members, from assessing credit for prior learning to expanding efforts to support retention, academic success, financial aid, and career counseling.
Converse has also increased its recruitment efforts with attendance at numerous military- and veteran-affiliated job fairs and community events. Marketing efforts include branded promotional items, digital ad campaigns, and regional radio spots, as well as a new printed mailer to promote the Military Friendly® School designation and Converse II and veteran support services.
“Military Friendly® standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community,” explained Kayla Lopez, Vice President of Military Friendly®. “This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages Institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.”
Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
The 2025-2026 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at militaryfriendly.com. For more information about Converse University’s student veteran programs, visit converse.edu/veterans.
About Converse University
Converse University empowers students to become transformative leaders who see clearly, decide wisely, and act justly. Converse was founded in 1889 by citizens of Spartanburg, SC, who aimed to create an educational experience for women, and in fall 2020 it welcomed its first undergraduate co-educational incoming class. The University encompasses the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of Business & Data Science, the School of the Arts, The School of Education, The Graduate School, and the Converse College for Women. Converse students experience deep scholarship, transformative mentorship, experiential learning, and wonderful support for and belief in each other. Through this unique formula, Converse is a creator of opportunity for its students through a personalized education that also includes the professional and technical skills graduates need to be successful in their careers. For more information, visit www.converse.edu.
About Military Friendly® Schools
The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.
About Viqtory
Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.
