Office of Military Affairs
Challenge
We recognized the need to assist veteran and military students in making their educational dreams come true.
Actions
Webster University's service-to-service members dates back to 1974, when, at the invitation of the Department of Defense, Webster offered its programs for the first time at Ft. Sheridan, located north of Chicago. Programs at Scott Air Force Base near St. Louis followed soon thereafter. Today, Webster is nationally recognized for being military friendly and is one of the largest providers of graduate-level military education in the United States.
In 2013 Webster University launched the Office of Military Affairs (OMA) due to a growing need to meet specific needs of veteran and military students. Returning military services, Vet Success program and Veteran Affairs work study are examples of those military specific initiatives. Military-focused student groups and clubs, including the Webster University Student Veterans Organization and local engagement with partnership US Air Force and US Army ROTC units, are under the purview of the OMA. Additionally, the OMA coordinates the delivery of Webster's education programs at military campuses serving all branches of the military, maintains Webster's alliances with federal and state agencies and advises the University's leadership on
military-related issues and opportunities across all branches of our government, including the Department of Defense's student base for non-degree offerings, undergraduate-completion, undergraduate, and graduate degree programs.
Outcomes
Webster University, the third largest provider of higher education to the military serving more than 6,000 military students.
Contact
Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Stroble
Quote
Given our almost 40 years of providing unmatched quality education to our service members, we have taken the next natural step of providing a dedicated resource center for our military students. Our goal is to provide our military students the unparalleled service and programs they deserve. On the Webster Groves campus, we recently dedicated the Thomas A. Palazola Student Veterans' Center as a gathering place for our student community. This Center is named in memory and honor of the Webster veteran and alum who led the creation of the center.