MCC earns 2026-2027 Military Friendly Schools® and
Military Spouse Friendly Schools® designations
Brian Ayers
Media and Public Relations manager | June 15, 2026
Metropolitan Community College (MCC) has earned the 2026-2027 Military Friendly® Schools designation as a Gold Level School and Top Ten Military Spouse Friendly® Schools designation for creating meaningful education paths for military-connected students.
Founded in 2003, Military Friendly® is a ratings entity that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Institutions earning the Military Friendly Schools® and Military Spouse Friendly® Schools designations were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 3,200 organizations participated in the Military Friendly® survey. According to Military Friendly®, a Gold Level School designation places MCC in the top 10% in the large community college category.
“Receiving these designations is an honor that reflects Metropolitan Community College’s ongoing commitment to our military-connected students and their families,” said Daniel Mohr, director of the MCC Veterans and Military Resource Center. “This recognition highlights the collective efforts of our staff and faculty to create safe and supportive environments where military-connected students can succeed.”
The College’s commitment is reflected in both military-connected student enrollment at MCC, as well as student outcomes. Since 2020, enrollment of military-connected students has risen by more than 35%. To receive the 2026-2027 Military Friendly® Schools designation, MCC survey response rate had to meet minimum thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment and loan default rates for all students, and, specifically, for student veterans.
The Veterans and Military Resource Center (VMRC) on the MCC South Omaha Campus is a welcoming space where military-connected students can connect, unwind and thrive. It serves as a resource hub for veterans, active duty, guard and reserve and their family members, connecting them with benefit navigators, on-site VA and veteran service organization representatives and more. It also provides access to educational and academic planning and tutoring, private study rooms, a computer lab, secure lockers, a quiet room, and complimentary beverages and snacks.
Mohr said creating the supportive environment for military-connected student success is a collective effort. The seven-member VMRC team was awarded the $50,000 MCC Think Tank Scholarship to obtain funding for veterans with employment gaps who do not have VA education benefits. In addition to VMRC staff, Hayley Aniol, MCC director of Institutional Research, was a key partner in supporting the application process, along with team members of the Financial Aid office.
“I was passionate about supporting the application for the designations because it recognizes the incredible work the Veterans and Military Resource Center does to support our military community,” said Aniol, a former military-dependent. “I know firsthand how impactful maintaining connections to the military community can be to be successful in college and beyond. The VMRC ensures our military-connected students have that connection and support the moment they join MCC.”
With the 2026-2027 Military Friendly Schools® designation, MCC will be showcased with a school profile on MilitaryFriendly.com
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.