Skip to Main Content

UNF named a 'Top Military Friendly School' for 15th consecutive year

The University of North Florida has been designated as one of the top schools in the nation by Military Friendly for the 15th consecutive year. The University is honored with the silver recognition status for exemplary commitment and dedication to military students.  

The 2024-25 Military Friendly Schools list honors educational institutions nationwide that are doing the most to embrace the nation’s military students and dedicate resources to ensure success both in the classroom and after graduation.  

The annual list is based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide. The ratings are measured by each institution's ability to meet and exceed thresholds for retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment and default rates for all students and specifically, for student veterans. 

“UNF has proudly held the military friendly designation since the establishment of the MVRC in 2009,” said Bill Cousins, UNF’s Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) director. “It is a reflection of the university's longstanding commitment to serve military-connected students, families, faculty and staff."  

Cousins recently joined UNF as MVRC director in September after the retirement of former director Bob Buehn. Cousins is a decorated Army veteran who retired from the Pentagon in 1993 as a colonel after serving two combat tours in Vietnam, three years in Cold War Germany and seven months in Desert Storm, among other assignments. After his Army career, Cousins transitioned into civilian consulting, developing and managing large enterprise IT systems for US government agencies.   

Using VA education benefits, UNF’s veteran population is currently comprised of more than 2,000 veterans or military-affiliated students, representing over 11% of the University’s student body. 

UNF’s MVRC is committed to ensuring that military-affiliated students successfully transition from the military environment to campus life as well as assisting students with their graduation and employment goals. The MVRC also serves as a resource to veteran employees, providing guidance and referrals to assist with integration into the UNF community.  

Learn more about the UNF Military and Veterans Resource Center or view the full Military Friendly Schools 2024-25 list.