UWF named No. 1 education employer by Military Times, ranks No. 15 nationally on “Best for Vets” list

The University of West Florida has been ranked No. 15 on the national Best for Vets: Colleges list and No. 1 on the Best for Vets: Education Employers list released by Military Times. UWF also ranked No. 3 among all Florida institutions and No. 1 in the State University System of Florida.

“These rankings display the amount of pride and care we take in our veterans and military-affiliated students, as well as employees, here at UWF,” said UWF Interim President Manny Diaz Jr. “While we celebrate this accomplishment, we continue to strive to do even more for our military students and veteran employees as a University.”

The Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges list evaluates the services colleges and universities provide to veterans, allowing them to make informed decisions on career planning and educational benefits afforded by their military service. At UWF, those services include the VetSuccess program, a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that helps veterans and eligible dependents transition into college life and reach their academic goals.

UWF also offers the Students Who Intern and Mentor, or SWIM, team, which connects military-affiliated students with dedicated mentors who provide personalized guidance on study skills, stress management and navigating campus resources. Together, these programs ensure veterans receive the support and resources they need to succeed both in the classroom and beyond.

“Being named to the Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges list is a direct reflection of our university’s unwavering commitment to those who have served,” said Lori Milkeris, director and veterans counselor of the MVRC. “This recognition isn’t about one program; it’s about the collective dedication of our faculty, staff and campus partners who work every day to ensure military-affiliated students feel supported, understood and prepared for success. From our VetSuccess on Campus partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to the wraparound services we provide, we remain deeply committed to making the transition to higher education as seamless and empowering as possible.”

UWF’s distinction as a Best for Vets Employer reflects its long-standing commitment to supporting those who have served. The University actively recruits through military job fairs and veteran-specific job boards while fostering partnerships with programs such as the Transition Assistance Program, National Guard and Reserve units, and professional military associations. Once veterans join the UWF team, they benefit from comprehensive medical and life insurance, retirement contributions and paid leave accrual. UWF also prioritizes flexibility, offering flexible scheduling and full compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act to accommodate reservists and service-connected needs. These efforts demonstrate UWF’s dedication to creating a workplace where veterans are valued, supported and empowered to thrive.

This August, UWF also launched the newly formed Office of Military Services. This office allows for the University to streamline support for military affiliated students by uniting the University’s Army and Air Force ROTC programs and the Military and Veteran Resource Center under the Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz Center for Leadership.

The Military Times Best for Vets survey is sent to colleges and universities across the nation asking about their programs for veterans. The survey results are then analyzed, along with public data about colleges and universities obtained from the Department of Education and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and turned into an official ranking.

To view the full rankings, visit the Military Times website.

For more information about the UWF MVRC, visit uwf.edu/mvrc.