Worcester State University has been honored with two significant national recognitions from the Military Friendly organization: the Military Friendly Silver Designation for Small Public Schools and the Military Spouse Friendly School designation. These accolades underscore WSU’s commitment to supporting service members, Veterans, and their families.
The Military Friendly Silver Designation is awarded to institutions that demonstrate exceptional support for military students, reflecting leading practices in recruiting and supporting military-affiliated students. Similarly, the Military Spouse Friendly School designation recognizes schools that provide outstanding support to military spouses through flexible academic programs and comprehensive support services.
Stephanie Teixeira, who has a doctorate in law and policy and is director of Military Affairs and Veteran Services (MAVS) at WSU, emphasized the significance of these recognitions during her speech at an award ceremony on March 27, 2025, in room 204 of the WSU Wellness Center.
“These aren’t just accolades,” she said. “They are a testament to our unwavering commitment to service members, Veterans, and their families—those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”
The designations are intended to recognize WSU’s efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment for military-affiliated students and their families. These efforts include access to scholarships, tuition assistance, and dedicated support services tailored to Veterans’ needs. Being recognized as a Military Friendly School can attract more resources and partnerships, further strengthening WSU’s support systems for military students.
Teixeira also highlighted the importance of supporting military spouses, saying, “Behind every service member is a network of support—spouses and families who also make tremendous sacrifices. By being named a spouse-friendly institution, Worcester State shows its commitment to flexibility, academic support, and career services that meet the unique needs of these resilient individuals.”
Looking ahead, Teixeira outlined MAVS’ plans to expand, stating, “This will begin by expanding the Veterans Center to a larger and more private space in the student center to provide more space for community building, study, and peer support.”
Other initiatives include increasing outreach to National Guard and Reserve members, building stronger career pathways through partnerships with Veteran-friendly organizations, enhancing academic advising for military and transfer credits, and offering priority registration for Veteran, dependent, and ROTC students.
