ECCC Named Military Friendly School

For the second consecutive year, East Central Community College in Decatur is recognized as a Military Friendly School.

Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, named ECCC to the coveted Military Friends Schools list for 2014. The prestigious award honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

“Inclusion on the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools shows East Central Community College’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, Vice President at Victory Media and a nine-year Navy veteran. “The need for education is growing and our mission is to provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in their search for schools.

ECCC President Dr. Billy Stewart said he is “extremely proud” the college has again earned recognition as a Military Friendly School.

“East Central Community College has a strong commitment to our country’s men and women in the military and will continue to provide high-quality programs and services to assist them in meeting their educational goals,” said Dr. Stewart.

Dr. Stewart praised Jessica Gibson and Deanna Rush in the Office of Admissions and Records, and Dr. Randall Lee in Student Services for their leadership in applying for and securing the prestigious award.

The Military Friendly Schools media and website, found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, feature the list, interactive tools and search functionality to help military students find the best school to suit their unique needs and preferences. The 1,868 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience. These schools have world-class programs and policies for student support on campus, academic accreditation, credit policies, flexibility and other services to those who served.

Now in its fifth year, the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and data-driven survey of more than 10,000 schools nationwide approved for VA tuition funding. The survey results that comprise the 2014 list were independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP based upon the weightings and methodology established by Victory Media. Each year schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard than the previous year via improved methodology, criteria and weightings developed with the assistance of an Academy Advisory Board (AAB) consisting of educators from schools across the country.

A full story and list of 2014 Military Friendly Schools will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools, distributed in print and digital format to hundreds to active and former military personnel in early October.

Victory Media is a service-based, veteran-owned small business that has been serving the military community since 2001. The company’s data-driven Military Friendly lists are published in G.I. Jobs. Military Spouse, Vetrepreneur media channels, republished in periodicals like USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Bloomberg BW and are frequently cited on national TV by NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, CNBC, Fox News and others.

For more information regarding services provided military veterans at ECCC, contact Jessica Gibson in the Office of Admissions and Records, at 601-635-6392 or call toll free, 877-462-3222, ext. 392. The email address is jgibson@eccc.edu.