For the first time, CT State Middlesex earned the Military Friendly^® School Gold Top 10 designation in the 2025–2026 small community college category, ranking No. 9 overall in the national survey.

“Our military and veteran students bring so much strength, experience and heart to our campus, and we are honored to support them as they continue their education,” said Kimberly Hogan, CEO, CT State Middlesex. “This recognition strengthens our commitment to keep doing even more for those who have served.”

The Military Friendly^® Top 10 Schools serve as the leading examples for military/veteran programs and initiatives. They set the standard for other designations and are programs that continue to improve every year.

“Empowering our campus veterans to navigate the community college experience is not just about providing resources; it’s about building a bridge to their future, ensuring they access the benefits they have earned and fostering a community where their unique strengths are recognized and celebrated,” said Melissa Michaud-Maltese, veterans outreach coordinator at CT State Middlesex and a U.S. Navy veteran.

CT State Middlesex provides a dedicated space on the Middletown campus, known as the Veterans OASIS Center, for veterans and military members to network, study and socialize in a friendly environment. In addition to offering general guidance on the application process, providing referrals and answering campus-related questions, the center hosts monthly workshops with a U.S. Department Veterans Affairs representative to address all inquiries related to benefits and health care.

Also, a representative from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) leads drop-in sessions to discuss transferring to a four-year college exclusively for veterans.

Air Force veteran Shayla Reyes, an early childhood education major, has taken advantage of veterans’ services.

“I love the Veterans Oasis Center at Middlesex,” said Reyes, who plans to transfer to CCSU’s teaching program to perhaps work with children in a future career, either as a teacher or guidance counselor.

According to Michaud-Maltese, the center also conducted several fundraisers, such as food and coffee sales, to support the Middlesex emergency fund and Veteran Relief Fund.

CT State Middlesex received the Military Friendly^® School Gold designation for three consecutive years, from 2022–2025. Middlesex has been recognized by Military Friendly^® Schools every year since 2011.

Institutions earning a Military Friendly^® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025–2026 survey with 830 earning special awards for going above the standard.

“Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard,” said Kayla Lopez, vice president for Military Friendly^®.

For information about VA education benefits at CT State, please visit ctstate.edu/veterans#middlesex.

The 2025–2026 Military Friendly^® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine found at militaryfriendly.com.

Launched on July 1, 2023, following the consolidation of Connecticut’s 12 legacy community colleges, CT State serves residents of 169 towns and neighboring states through its campuses and satellites in Bridgeport, Bristol, Danbury, Danielson, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, Middletown, Norwalk, Norwich, New Haven, North Haven, Waterbury, Willimantic and Winsted, with a central office located in New Britain. To learn more, visit ctstate.edu.

Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at militaryfriendly.com.