Rhode Island College Named 2024-25 Military Friendly® School

Rhode Island College has been named a 2024-25 Military Friendly® School with Gold status. This designation reflects the college’s success in creating sustainable resources and supports for its veteran and military community.

“At Rhode Island College we are honored to serve and support military personnel, veterans, their spouses and dependents as well as ROTC Cadets,” says Vice President for Student Success Cindy Kozil. “Being recognized as a Gold-level Military Friendly® campus is an acknowledgement of the value we place on our military community and their families.”

“Earning the rank of Gold is also an amazing welcome to military service members and confirmation of RIC’s commitment to them as an educational institution,” says Steven Pina ’22, M.S.W. ’23. Pina is interim assistant director of veteran affairs and military programs at the college.

Rhode Island College enrolls approximately 152 military (or military-affiliated) students, including veterans and active duty reservists, and another 31 military dependents.

Among the programs, services and supports RIC provides is the Military Resource Center, the VetSuccess on Campus program and Student Veterans of America at Rhode Island College, a student-run organization.

RIC’s Military Resource Center provides information on GI Bill® Benefits, while VetSuccess on Campus coordinates the delivery of VA educational benefits. The Military Resource Center serves as an advocate for veterans and service members to ensure that they acclimate and successfully complete college, and “it’s a place to just hang out and be with people with similar life experiences,” says Pina. Student Veterans of America serves as a support network for veterans and service members, helping them find camaraderie and community as they earn their degree.

For more information about how RIC supports its veteran and military service members, visit the Military Resource Center.