OHIO — This week, Mike Duffey, chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, announced two additions to the list of Collegiate Purple Star campuses: John Carroll University and Ohio Northern University.

What You Need To Know

  • Mike Duffey, chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, announced two additions to the list of Collegiate Purple Star campuses: John Carroll University and Ohio Northern University

  • The universities were chosen “for their efforts to support students with military backgrounds”

  • The total number of schools in this list is now 53

The universities were chosen “for their efforts to support students with military backgrounds,” according to a Department of Higher Education news release. The total number of schools in this list is now 53.

“Memorial Day is an appropriate time to recognize that military-connected students have different needs in higher education,” Duffey said in the release. “That is why we are grateful John Carroll and Ohio Northern universities are putting forth the effort for these students. This is the example set by all 53 of Ohio’s Collegiate Purple Star campuses.”

Ohio started this collegiate designation in 2022, and it’s similar to a designation offered to preK-12 schools in Ohio by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. The release notes Ohio was the first state to offer this designation for colleges.

“Congratulations to these universities on becoming the latest to earn the Collegiate Purple Star,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in the release. “By providing essential resources to ensure military-connected students can pursue their educational goals with confidence, these institutions exemplify Ohio’s unwavering commitment to supporting our service members.”

Institutions of higher learning can apply for the designation, which is approved by an advisory committee that consists of members from the following organizations:

  • Ohio Department of Higher Education
  • Ohio Veterans Education Council
  • Ohio Department of Veterans Services
  • Ohio Adjutant General’s Department
  • Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission K-12 Purple Star Committee

There’s various criteria schools must meet in order to be chosen for this designation. That includes:

  • “Having a dedicated military/veteran point of contact and/or office on campus
  • establishing priority registration for veterans and servicemembers
  • surveying student veterans and servicemembers – along with spouses and dependents – about needs and challenges
  • allowing for the establishment of student-led groups and organizations for veterans and servicemembers"

The release also notes they will be accepting applications for a sixth round later this year.