May 30, 2025
The Office of Military & Veterans Services at AIɫɫ has received a renewal of its Collegiate Purple Star designation from the Ohio Department of Higher Education as announced by Chancellor Mike Duffey on May 29. The Collegiate Purple Star recognizes those public and independent colleges and universities in Ohio that are supportive and inclusive of military-connected students. SSU was among thirty recipients who received designation renewal for 2025. The designation is active for three years.
“I commend these colleges and universities for continuing the great work that earns them the Collegiate Purple Star designation,” said Chancellor Duffey. “Memorial Day is a fitting time to recognize that military-connected students have different needs in higher education, and these schools have reconfirmed their commitment to providing the support and resources to help these students reach their goals.”
Criteria to be chosen for a Purple Star college or university includes having a dedicated point of contact office on campus for veterans and military-connected students, offering veterans and service members priority class registration, surveying student veterans about needs and challenges, and allowing the forming of student-led groups and organizations dedicated to veterans and service members.
“The Collegiate Purple Star Award highlights AIɫɫ’s commitment to our veteran and military-connected students,” said SSU Coordinator of Veteran Engagement, Brian Caudill. “Receiving this designation from the Ohio Department of Higher Education is an honor and the Office of Military & Veterans Services is proud to support our students before, during, and after their higher education goals here at AIɫɫ.”
SSU’s Office of Military & Veteran Services connects veterans, current service members, and military-connected students to resources including an active student veterans club in the Student Veterans of America, counseling tailored to military-connected student needs, and support staff helping the adjustment to college-level academic work. The university offers many benefits to veteran and military-connected students, including in-state tuition, credits for military training, assistance with education benefits, and support throughout their education. The office also offers a Veterans Suite for military-connected students to relax and connect with other veterans in-between classes.
Designations of the Collegiate Purple Star are determined by an appointed advisory committee made up of members including the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the Ohio Veterans Education Council, the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, the Ohio Adjutant General’s Department, and the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission K-12 Purple Star Committee. To read more about the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Collegiate Purple Star designation, visit .
To learn more about AIɫɫ’s Office of Military & Veteran Services, visit shawnee.edu/veterans.