San Diego April 1, 2025—San Diego Mesa College announced today that it has earned
the 2025-2026 Military Friendly ® School designation.
Institutions earning the Military Friendly ® School designation were evaluated using
both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800
schools participated in the 2025-2026 survey with 830 earning special awards for going
above the standard.
The 2025-2026 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October
issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and found at
www.militaryfriendly.com.
Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the
Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education
and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the
institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet
thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence
(Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically,
for student veterans.
“At San Diego Mesa College, we are deeply committed to equity and excellence, ensuring that our student veterans and military-affiliated students have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. Earning the 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School designation is a testament to our dedication to fostering an inclusive, empowering learning environment where all students—especially those who have served our country—can achieve their
academic and career goals. We are honored to receive this recognition and will continue
to invest in programs that support our military community with exceptional education and holistic support services.” - Ashanti T. Hands, Ed.D., President of San Diego Mesa College.
“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven
standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes
positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide
opportunity for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that
encourages Institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools
who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, exceeding the
standard.” - Kayla Lopez, Vice President, Military Friendly®.
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About Military Friendly® Schools: The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each
year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools
nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven
Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions,
methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent
research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered
for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate.
About San Diego Mesa College
San Diego Mesa College is a fully accredited, comprehensive college committed to equity
and excellence. We honor our diverse community of students, faculty, professional
staff, and administrators who collaborate to foster scholarship, leadership, access,
and innovation in an inclusive learning environment. By promoting student learning
and achievement that leads to degrees and certificates, transfer, workforce training,
and lifelong learning, we empower our students to reach their educational goals and
shape their future. Among the largest community colleges in California, Mesa serves
approximately 29,000 students per year, 25% of whom are full-time. Mesa offers over
200 associate degree and certificate programs and is one of 15 California community
colleges offering a four-year baccalaureate degree. Mesa ranks as one of San Diego’s
top transfer institutions, is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), an Asian
American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and
a Military Friendly Gold Status School, serving nearly 2,500 active duty, veterans,
and their families.
www.sdmesa.edu
About Viqtory:
Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB)
that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial
opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its
brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government
entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at
www.viqtory.com.
For further information or to arrange interviews, contact:
San Diego Mesa College:
Anabell Pulido
apulido@sdccd.edu
Military Friendly ® Schools:
Kayla Lopez
Senior Director of Military Partnerships
For press inquiries visit:
Tags: Military Friendly, Veterans Success Center, President Ashanti Hands, Press Release
