March 25, 2026
St. John’s University has again been recognized as a Military Friendly® School for its commitment to supporting student veterans and members of the military community. New this year, the University was also designated a Military Spouse Friendly® School, recognizing its support for military family members pursuing college degrees.
Military Friendly®, a subsidiary of VIQTORY, a Pennsylvania-based organization that evaluates colleges and universities nationwide for their support of student veteran needs, awarded St. John’s “silver” status based on data from its annual survey, which is developed with guidance from experts in veteran education. It is at least the fifth consecutive year St. John’s has been recognized by the organization.
Michele Chung, Director of St. John’s Veterans Success Center, said the recognition reflects the strong sense of community that has developed among veterans on campus. “Since stepping into this role, I have come to appreciate how strong the sense of community is among our veterans,” Ms. Chung said. “When they come into the center, they share their experiences and support one another, and that confidence extends beyond the center and into the classroom.”
The primary means of veteran support at St. John’s is the Veterans Success Center, housed in Marillac Hall. The center offers veterans transitioning from military service to college life networking opportunities, campus resources, and community-building events. It also hosts regular events that connect veterans with peers and University services, fostering a supportive environment that honors their service and enhances their St. John’s experience.
Ms. Chung said veterans entering college are navigating a major transition from military service to civilian life. She said St. John’s continues to explore ways to support further student veterans, including expanding orientation programming and exploring a mentoring initiative that would connect incoming veterans with those who have already navigated the transition to campus life.
The Military Friendly® School designation is presented to institutions that demonstrate the best military and veteran educational support while cultivating employment and academic outcomes for veterans and their families.
Military Friendly® evaluated more than 1,800 colleges and universities in 2025 using public data and responses to surveys of their institutions. Ratings combined the schools’ survey scores with an evaluation of their ability to meet goals for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, and more for student veterans. The surveys were open to all institutions nationwide, with more than 800 earning some level of recognition in the group’s four-tiered system.
The new Military Spouse Friendly® School designation reflects the University’s broader commitment to supporting military families. Ms. Chung said spouses and children of veterans often find a similar sense of connection within the campus community.
St. John’s is also a US Department of Veterans Affairs-approved Post 9/11 GI Bill institution and participates in the Yellow Ribbon tuition assistance and academic support program. The Veterans Success Center hosts a barbecue at the start of each academic year to welcome student veterans to the Queens, NY, campus.
Among the veterans who attended the September 2025 barbecue was US Air Force veteran David Fonseca, a native of Chicago, IL, who served at Whiteman Air Force Base, near Kansas City, MO, from 2020 to 2024. Now a Reservist, he has found St. John’s to be a supportive environment that understands the unique needs of veteran students and aligns with his personal values.
“St. John’s has been nothing but accommodating,” said David, a first-year student at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business. “I knew I wanted to come to New York City, and I wanted a school that fit my character.”
Army veteran Aleksandar Dikov, who is studying health and human services at The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies, said St. John’s recognition and support help veterans feel valued on campus.
“Veteran service is genuinely recognized and respected,” said Aleksandar, who served for eight years in a field artillery regiment and who is in his first year at the University. “St. John’s understands that veterans bring meaningful life and leadership experience from military service, and it creates opportunities for us to share those experiences with the broader University community.”
Catherine Dragon ’25SJC, is pursuing a master’s degree in international communication at St. John’s. A staff sergeant in the Air Force Reserve, she said the University is committed to helping all members of the St. John’s military community feel welcome.
“St. John’s support brings our military community together and allows them to build friendships and camaraderie,” Catherine said.