Members of UTC’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs and military-connected students gather during a UTC Military Appreciation Game event. Photo courtesy of Sylvana Matthews.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has been named a 2026-2027 Military Friendly® School, earning Gold status in the large public university category.
The designation recognizes institutions that create meaningful educational paths for veterans, active-duty service members and their families. Approximately 1,500 military-connected students—including active-duty service members, spouses and dependents—are enrolled at UTC.
Institutions earning the Military Friendly® Schools designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Schools are assessed on student retention, graduation rates, job placement, loan repayment and degree persistence, with additional attention to the experiences of student veterans.
“This recognition reflects the daily work happening across our campus to support military-connected students,” UTC Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Director Sylvana Matthews said. “It’s not about a single program or office; it’s about faculty who understand the transition from service to classroom, staff who help navigate benefits and financial aid, and a campus culture that values the experience our veterans and military families bring with them.
“For many of our students, coming to UTC represents a new chapter after active duty or a move tied to military service,” Matthews continued. “Our responsibility is to make that transition clear, supportive and focused on long-term success—from enrollment through graduation and into the workforce.”
UTC Veteran and Military Affairs provides admissions assistance, GI Bill® and financial aid guidance, veteran-specific scholarships, mental health resources and a dedicated lounge space in Hooper Hall. The office also connects students to campus events, community partners and professional development opportunities.
“Earning the Military Friendly® designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution’s deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served,” Military Friendly® Vice President of Memberships Kayla Lopez said. “These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses, they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact. Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence.”
UTC will be showcased in the 2026-2027 Guide to Military Friendly® Schools, the April issue of G.I. Jobs® magazine and on MilitaryFriendly.com.
Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 3,200 organizations compete annually for the Military Friendly® designation. Military Friendly® is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Military Friendly® is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly® lists and methodology can be found at https://www.militaryfriendly.com.
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