Iowa Lakes Community College Earns 2022-2023 Military Friendly® School Designation

(Estherville, Iowa) Iowa Lakes Community College earned the 2022-2023 Military Friendly® School designation. Institutions obtain the Military Friendly® School designation by evaluating public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2022-2023 survey, with only 665 earning special awards for going above the standard.

"We are proud to be recognized as a 2022-2023 Military Friendly School.  Iowa Lakes dedicates itself to providing students with great educational bang for their buck.  If you are looking for a great place to use your military education benefits, Iowa Lakes is the place. We will help you prepare for your next adventure," explained Tim Ireland, Iowa Lakes Career, Veteran, and Military Services Coordinator.

Viqtory, a veteran-owned small business founded in 2001, determines the methodology, criteria, and weightings utilized with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in higher education and military recruitment fields. The institution's survey scores combined with the assessment of the institution's ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer), and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans determine the final ratings.

"Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide an opportunity for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard," said Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®.

The 2022-2023 Military Friendly® Schools list will be in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and online at www.militaryfriendly.com.

Iowa Lakes strives to be military and veteran-friendly, continually improving military and veteran students' and faculty members' experiences. Iowa Lakes has two Veteran Centers on the main campuses, a peer and staff mentorship program, and multiple Military and American Legion scholarship opportunities.

For more information about military and veteran programs at Iowa Lakes, please contact Ireland at tireland@iowalakes.educreate new emailor 712.852.5284.

About Military Friendly ® Schools:

The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria, and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

About Iowa Lakes Community College:

Located in the Iowa Great Lakes, one of the Midwest's most dynamic and energetic regions, Iowa Lakes Community College offers more than 60 nationally recognized degrees, certifications, and pre-professional programs to choose from for a future career. Iowa Lakes campuses are located throughout a five-county area in Algona, IA, Emmetsburg, IA, Estherville, IA, Spencer, IA, and Spirit Lake, IA.

Ranked in the top twenty community colleges in the nation*, Iowa Lakes graduates are well prepared to continue a four-year bachelor's degree program or start a high-demand career with the knowledge, preparation, and skills needed to succeed. Iowa Lakes offers students of all ages and life stages multiple options to continue their education. Financial aid is available to ensure education is affordable. In addition, dedicated faculty and staff help students at Iowa Lakes achieve personal, academic, and professional goals.