Northern Illinois University has achieved the honor of Military Friendly® School (Silver designation) for large public schools for 2026-27.
NIU’s Office of Military and Veteran Services serves veterans, active-duty service members, reservists/guard members and their families. The office provides holistic support through one-on-one coaching appointments with student benefits counselors, who are current military-connected students. Working collaboratively with numerous NIU campus and community partners, the office supports more than 700 military-affiliated students.
Jorie O’Brien
“Having Northern Illinois University selected as a Military Friendly School has shown just how far NIU has gone to show their support for veterans. I did not serve, but I serve those who did, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career,” Jorie O’Brien, director of Military, Veterans, and Off-Campus Student Services said.
NIU’s Student Veterans Association is affiliated with the national Student Veterans Association. A graduation celebration for military-affiliated students takes place the Thursday before commencement weekend during the fall and spring semesters at NIU; students are invited to a celebration honoring their hard work and effort made in and out of the classroom. Students are then presented with red, white and blue graduation cords and an NIU Military challenge coin.
Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 3,200 organizations compete annually for the Military Friendly Schools® designation.
“Earning the Military Friendly® designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution’s deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served. These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses, they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact. Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence,” Kayla Lopez, vice president of Memberships, Military Friendly® said.
