Ohio announces latest round of Collegiate Purple Star Awards

Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Mike Duffey today announced that two new universities in Ohio have been officially designated as Collegiate Purple Star campuses for their efforts to support students with military backgrounds.

John Carroll University and Ohio Northern University earned the latest Collegiate Purple Star Award, bringing the total number of schools that have earned the designation to 53.

"Congratulations to these universities on becoming the latest to earn the Collegiate Purple Star," said Governor Mike DeWine. "By providing essential resources to ensure military-connected students can pursue their educational goals with confidence, these institutions exemplify Ohio's unwavering commitment to supporting our service members."

"Memorial Day is an appropriate time to recognize that military-connected students have different needs in higher education," Chancellor Duffey said. "That is why we are grateful John Carroll and Ohio Northern universities are putting forth the effort for these students. This is the example set by all 53 of Ohio's Collegiate Purple Star campuses."

Ohio became the first state in the nation to offer the Collegiate Purple Star designation when it was launched in 2022. This award builds upon the work of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to award Purple Star designations to preK-12 schools that have worked to become military-friendly.

Colleges and universities in Ohio are offered the opportunity to apply for the Collegiate Purple Star designation. The designations are determined by a Collegiate Purple Star Advisory Committee, appointed by the Chancellor and composed of members from organizations that include, but are not limited to, ODHE, the Ohio Veterans Education Council (with representation from two-year colleges, four-year universities, and independent institutions), the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, the Ohio Adjutant General's Department, and the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission K-12 Purple Star Committee.

Criteria for being chosen as a Purple Star college or university include having a dedicated military/veteran point of contact and/or office on campus, establishing priority registration for veterans and servicemembers, surveying student veterans and servicemembers - along with spouses and dependents - about needs and challenges, and allowing for the establishment of student-led groups and organizations for veterans and servicemembers. Colleges and universities that earn the Collegiate Purple Star designation will receive permission from the advisory committee to utilize a logo or badge signifying the designation.

A sixth round of applications will be accepted later in 2024. More information on the Collegiate Purple Star program is available online at https://highered.ohio.gov/initiatives/campus-initiatives/education-for-veterans/collegiate-purple-star.