A&M–San Antonio has been recognized for its commitment to supporting military-connected students through a national program that promotes workforce opportunities for veterans.
Military Friendly, an organization and ratings program launched in 2003, has named A&M–San Antonio a 2026–27 Military Friendly School and Military Friendly Spouse School. The University also received Gold Status, a distinction that reflects top-tier support, programs, and outcomes for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.
This is the seventh time the University has received the prestigious Military Friendly School designation, which is based on data collected from public sources and an institutional survey.
Leah Musquiz, interim director of the University’s Military Affairs office, said the survey evaluates several benchmarks institutions must meet to earn the Military Friendly designation.
“This survey is comprehensive and data-driven,” Musquiz said. “They collect detailed information on student outcomes and institutional practices for supporting military-affiliated students. Final scores and ratings are determined by combining survey data with publicly available institutional data.”
Benchmarks measured include student retention, graduation rates, job placement, loan repayment, and loan default rates.
Musquiz said 1,177 military-connected students are currently enrolled at A&M–San Antonio, representing 16% of the student population. Military-connected students include active-duty service members, veterans, transitioning service members, and their dependents.
The Military Affairs office supports these students through programs, services, and partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Bexar County Department of Military and Veterans Services, and the Texas Veterans Commission.
“We are a centralized resource for our military-affiliated students,” Musquiz said. “We work to foster a military-friendly campus environment to ensure that all military-connected students can successfully complete their degrees here at A&M–San Antonio.”
One key partnership places a Bexar County office inside Military Affairs, where a full-time veteran service officer helps veterans navigate VA disability services, file claims, and access other resources.
Musquiz said these partnerships allow the University to better serve student veterans while also connecting the campus with the broader veteran community across Bexar County.
Through the Texas Veterans Commission, a health care advocate visits campus twice a month to assist student veterans with navigating the VA health care system, including resolving billing issues and coordinating pharmacy orders.
The University also participates in Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL), a VA program designed to help veterans transition from military service to college. As part of VITAL, a VA social worker comes to campus to help student veterans enroll in VA health care, connect with financial assistance resources, and address food insecurity.
In addition, Military Affairs connects military-affiliated students with campus resources such as Disability Support Services and the Student Counseling Center, which provides mental health support. The office also sponsors the campus chapter of Student Veterans of America, a nonprofit focused on addressing the needs of veterans in higher education.
Musquiz said the designation affirms the University’s ongoing commitment to its military-connected students.
“We strive to provide resources that make the transition to A&M–San Antonio easier and help students achieve their goal of earning a degree,” Musquiz said. “These community partnerships play an important role in that effort. This designation shows we’re on the right track and making a difference in our students’ lives.”