Portland State University has been named a Military Friendly School for the 2026-2027 academic year, achieving Gold Award status, according to a March 31 announcement. This recognition places the university among the top 10 percent of institutions nationwide for its support of student veterans and military-affiliated students.
The award is given to institutions whose programs score within 20 percent of the tenth-ranked institution in their category. For Portland State University, this accomplishment fulfills a major strategic goal set by its Veterans Resource Center.
Ron Mansolilli, director of the Veterans Resource Center, said, “Getting this designation for the university has been on my radar since before my first interview. It was a primary goal in my presentation to the community. Seeing it come to fruition now is a testament to the ‘village’ it took to get here.”
Achieving this status required significant data collection and collaboration across different departments at Portland State University. The Veterans Resource Center worked with offices such as Institutional Research and Planning and Career Services, along with community partners, to demonstrate comprehensive support systems for military-affiliated students.
PSU President Ann Cudd said, “This is a proud day for Portland State University because of this designation and the exceptional support for veterans, active duty members and their families that it represents. Our veteran and military-connected students strengthen PSU classrooms, our research and the civic life of our community, our city and our region.”
The Gold Status recognizes strengths in academic support, mental health services—including initiatives like Mind Spa—and career guidance tailored specifically for veterans. According to Mansolilli, “Being a left-leaning school and supporting veterans are not mutually exclusive,” adding that trust-building is key so veterans feel they can pursue higher education at PSU with accountability.
Currently serving about 1,000 military-affiliated students annually—including veterans; active-duty National Guard members; reservists; ROTC cadets; spouses; and dependents—PSU continues efforts such as Wellness Week events designed specifically for these communities.
Mansolilli concluded: “We have a lot to shoot for. This is about giving confidence to military and veteran students across the nation that Portland State doesn’t just welcome them — we have a proven track record of standing behind them.”
