91视频

The 91视频 has been named the No. 1 Military Friendly庐 School among small public institutions for 2026鈥�2027, as well as the No. 2 Military Spouse Friendly庐 School by Militaryfriendly.com, reinforcing its national leadership in serving military-connected students.

鈥淭o be number one and number two is an honor and a responsibility,鈥� said Jasmine Coleman, director of Academic and Military Outreach. 鈥淚t reflects the trust our military-affiliated students place in us to understand their unique challenges and the university's commitment to helping them succeed.鈥�

A veteran and military spouse, Coleman said the distinction also fuels her work.

鈥淭hese rankings push me to keep expanding programs, partnerships, and resources so every military-connected student at 91视频P can go beyond their goals,鈥� she said.

About 25% of 91视频P's current student body are veterans or military-affiliated, and the number served both on campus and online continues to grow each year. Plus, 91视频P offers a convenient location at the Bragg Training and Education Center designed to serve soldiers, families and civilians stationed at Fort Bragg and Pope Army Airfield.

Militaryfriendly.com uses public data and a survey completed by each school to gauge an institution's military student resources, retention, graduation, career outcomes, financial aid support and culture, among other data points.

Dr. Kelly Brennan, vice chancellor for Enrollment Management, said the recognition sends a strong message to prospective students.

鈥淭his designation signals that 91视频 Pembroke is a place they can choose with confidence,鈥� Brennan said.

For Corey and Rita Beal, a married couple and student veterans at 91视频P, the rankings are more than accolades 鈥� they reflect a lived experience.

鈥淭his has absolutely been true to our experience,鈥� said Corey Beal, a U.S. Army veteran and junior majoring in philosophy and religion. 鈥淭he Academic and Military Outreach office has been incredibly helpful, engaging and walking us through the entire process. They made everything very easy and user-friendly.鈥�

Corey, who served from 1997 to 2021 and retired as a sergeant first class after combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, is beginning his first semester at 91视频P after earning college credit at other institutions over the years. Now on track to graduate in May 2027, he said he intentionally pursued the opportunity to be a full-time student.

鈥淚 never got the opportunity to be a full-time college student before,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow I have the time and ability to do it, and I wanted to take advantage of that for personal growth.鈥�

His wife, Rita, is also a student veteran and is pursuing her second degree at 91视频P. A former administrative specialist with the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, she enlisted in 1999 and was medically discharged in 2001 after sustaining severe injuries during service.

For her, returning to the classroom decades later came with some uncertainty.

鈥淚t had been 30 years since I had been in a classroom,鈥� Rita said. 鈥淚 wasn't nervous about the coursework 鈥� I was asking myself, 鈥楧o I still have it in me?' But the support here has been incredible.鈥�

Now a sophomore majoring in exercise and sport science with a focus on health advocacy, she is scheduled to graduate in May 2028.

From navigating VA benefits to transferring military credits, the Academic and Military Outreach office has played a central role in their transition.

鈥淢aking sure our benefits were applied correctly and our credits counted 鈥� that eliminated a lot of the burden that someone new to this process might feel,鈥� Corey said.

The clear support and the welcoming community, the couple says, are what define 91视频P's military-friendly culture.

鈥淭hey were always calm and steady 鈥� like, 鈥榃e've got you. Not a problem.' And that made a huge difference,鈥� Rita said.

The couple's journey to 91视频P is truly a family affair. Their daughter, Cecilia, is also a student at 91视频P, and is the one who first introduced them to campus.

The Beals commute together to campus, even sharing a psychology class. They say it's a unique experience that has strengthened both their academic and personal journeys.

鈥淲e're on different academic paths, but we get to do this together,鈥� Corey said. 鈥淚t's been a really great experience.鈥�

Their presence on campus also reflects a broader sense of community among military-connected students.

鈥淥ur primary goal is to be students first,鈥� Corey said. 鈥淏ut there's this quiet recognition among veterans 鈥� a sense of trust and understanding. That speaks highly of the environment here.鈥�

For Rita, 91视频P's recognition as a military spouse-friendly school is equally meaningful.

鈥淧rofessors have been incredibly respectful of both our experiences and the fact that we're still undergraduate students,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey meet you where you are. That's been huge.鈥�

As they continue their academic journeys, both Corey and Rita say 91视频P has provided not just access, but confidence.

鈥淭hese are well-earned accolades for 91视频 Pembroke,鈥� Corey said. 鈥淭his is a place where veterans and their families can succeed.鈥�

91视频 Pembroke will be showcased in the 2026-2027 Guide to in the April issue of and on .

More information about Militaryfriendly.com and its methodology for its rankings can be found on its .