The School of Communication is making strides to make sure that veterans have a satisfactory experience during their studies.

College Factual is a data-based website that collects information from universities to help compare institutions on the progress and support of their students. College Factual ranked the School of Communication at Illinois State University 65th out of 522 universities to offer veteran friendliness within their programs.

“The School of Communication has helped me understand why people communicate the way we do, and has shown me more than one way to communicate with a plethora of social groups and more accurately,” said Tyrell McGowen, a student veteran with the School of Communication.

Currently, there are 450-plus military-connected and veteran students enrolled at Illinois State University. Within the School of Communication, there are 18 student veterans enrolled, and five of them have applied to graduate in May or August this year. Since 2015, 22 student veterans have graduated with a degree from the School of Communication.

“The professors and the staff that I’ve worked with in the School of Communication have been the absolute best. Their professionalism is guiding me to become a better communicator and one day I will be a professional as well,” McGowen added.

College Factual also cites that the School of Communication ranks fifth out of 24 colleges and universities in Illinois that offer a veteran-friendly experience within its communication programs.