Westminster University is honored to be named a 2026 Best College for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report, a distinction that the university has earned multiple times in recent years. Winning universities are "top-ranked schools that make pursuing a college education more affordable for veterans and active-duty service members” according to U.S. News & World Report’s methodology. Westminster University’s assistance for veteran and active-duty students during the admissions process and throughout their university experience, coupled with the dedicated programming and institutional support for the veteran and military community, are just some of the ways that Westminster supports the military community.
Since 2015, the Center for Veteran and Military Services (CVMS) has been a central location for veteran and active-duty service members to meet with fellow veteran students and access support services. Along with spaces for tutoring, peer mentorship, and taking breaks between classes, the center is where students can go to meet with representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Westminster support staff, including the full-time senior associate director of veteran and military services, Ian Cleave.
“CVMS is made up of great students and they are dedicated, engaging and supportive of each other. We are a small but powerful community where we support all our military-affiliated students, not just veterans. It is helpful to be at Westminster with its small student population because our students build strong relationships with each other because they see one another all the time, very similar to the camaraderie you find in the military,” says Ian Cleave.
Veteran students are supported through the admissions process with fee-waived applications and Westminster’s accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities–meaning that veteran students are eligible for VA Education Benefits. Once accepted, students have the option to earn a minor in military leadership, which integrates courses from the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program for each branch of service. Students pursuing this minor develop skills as ethical leaders who understand the social and historical contexts in which U.S. military forces operate.
Throughout the year, the CVMS hosts a variety of events for the Westminster community, aimed at supporting veteran students and opening up dialogue in the Westminster community.
“At CVMS, we are dedicated to providing exceptional service and mentorship to all military-affiliated students, including veterans, dependents, and ROTC members. CVMS is the go-to resource and a supportive space where military-affiliated students can be themselves and get the help they need to succeed. On top of that, we provide community engagement and VA Educational Benefit support,” says Ian.
Learn more about the CVMS and the admissions process for veterans, and join the community on Thursday, November 13, 2025 for the panel “Working with Veteran Students 101.”
