FSU Earns Gold Status as a Military Friendly® School
FAYETTEVILLE, NC (April 8, 2025) — Fayetteville State University (FSU) has been awarded gold status in the 2025-2026 Military Friendly® Schools designation, marking the fourth time the university has achieved military-friendly recognition. Additionally, FSU received the Military Spouse Friendly® School designation, further solidifying its position as a leading institution for military-connected students and their families.
The Gold award, recently announced by VIQTORY Media, places FSU among the top-performing institutions in the small public university category. This elite recognition acknowledges FSU’s exceptional commitment to creating meaningful education paths for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.
In a related development, FSU’s Chancellor, Darrell T. Allison, will be inducted as Fort Bragg Ambassador along with other honorees April 23. This ceremony recognizes their service and support to the Service Members, their Families, Veterans, and civil servants in connecting the installation to the local community in the most impactful ways.
In February, FSU and Fort Bragg’s XVIII Airborne Corps signed an historic Education Partnership Agreement highlighting the strong relationship and a commitment to advancing education, research and innovation in critical areas related to national security and technological development – the first of its kind of any UNC System university.
Chancellor Allison’s focus on these military partnerships and recognitions highlight the collaborative leadership that has driven FSU’s military initiatives forward.
"True leaders surround themselves other leaders who make strategic decisions in the best interest of their units and divisions. Thus, Fayetteville State University would not experience the kind of advancements we’ve witnessed within our military community but for the strong leadership exhibited daily by the following senior leaders whom I want to personally salute: Dr. Pamela M. Baldwin, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success; Wesley Fountain, Vice Chancellor for External Affairs and Military Relations; Dr. Cierra L. Griffin, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Air Force & Army veteran; U.S. Army Gen. (Ret.) Michael Garrett, Executive in Residence and Military Advisor to the Chancellor; and Dr. Mitchell Seal, Associate Vice Chancellor for Military Academic Success," he said.
The Military Friendly® ratings are determined through a data-driven methodology developed with input from an independent Advisory Council of experts in veteran education. The comprehensive evaluation process analyzes public and proprietary survey data from institutions nationwide.
FSU’s military-focused initiatives include:
- Dedicated veterans’ service offices
- Specialized academic advising for military students
- Flexible course delivery options
- Credit for military training and experience
- Military tuition assistance programs
- Targeted career services for transitioning service members
Located near Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations in the world, FSU has developed a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges facing military-connected students and has designed programs specifically to meet their needs. Military and veteran students comprise 33% of FSU’s student population, making the university’s military-friendly culture integral to campus life.
FSU will be featured in the upcoming issue of G.I. Jobs Magazine® and highlighted on MilitaryFriendly.com, providing national visibility for the university’s military programs.