Saint Martin’s University earns sixth gold award as Military Friendly School 

Saint Martin’s University in Lacey received its sixth gold designation as a Military Friendly School for the 2025-26 year by service-disabled, veteran-owned small business VIQTORY.  

The annual Military Friendly School list is a benchmark for higher education institutions that offer opportunities for veterans and their families. 

Awarded institutions were evaluated using input from student veterans and responses to the proprietary data-driven Military Friendly School survey. 

More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025-26 survey, with 830 schools earning special awards for exceeding standards.  

“This gold designation is a testament to that commitment, and we will continue to strengthen our support for those who have given of themselves in service to our country,” said Bill Brownsberger, Saint Martin’s University President in a news release sent to The JOLT News.  

Adam Takata, director of the Washington Veterans to Technology Certificate Program, said military-affiliated students bring invaluable leadership, discipline and diverse experiences to the Saint Martin’s campus. 

“With dedicated programs like Washington Vets 2 Tech and the Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success, we strive every day to provide programs and support tailored to strengthen the skills these students arrive with so that they can seamlessly transition into new careers, continue their legacy of service in new ways and confidently pursue their professional and academic goals,” said Takata in the news release. 

The 2025-26 Military Friendly School list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found on the organization’s site. 

Aside from the gold designation, Saint Martin’s was also named a Military Support College of Distinction and a Military Supportive College, and also became the first Purple Heart University in the state of Washington by the Order of the Purple Heart.  

VIQTORY and Military Friendly awards 

Kayla Lopez, the national director of military partnerships at Military Friendly, said in the news release that the annual list is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards. 

“Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community. … Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard,” Lopez said.   

VIQTORY determined the methodology and criteria by considering input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community.  

Final ratings were based on the combination of the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the university’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 student veterans.  

VIQTORY has connected the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs and Military Friendly brands since 2001. 

For more information about the resources and programs that Saint Martin’s offers to support the military community, both at its Lacey and JBLM campuses, visit the military community page on the Saint Martin’s website.