UND’s military friendliness wins higher education award
Award from arm of Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) honors UND’s unique approach
UND’s Military Connected Community initiative has been named the 2026 recipient of the Colleagues’ Choice Innovation Award from the Western Academic Leadership Forum, part of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE).
Nominated by Provost Eric Link and Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management Janelle Kilgore, the initiative was recognized for its efforts to increase access, strengthen student retention and create a welcoming campus culture for military-connected students.
The web of UND’s Military Connected Community
For Angie Carpenter, UND’s director of veteran and military affairs, the recognition represents something larger than a single program or office.
“It’s how we’re supporting students internally — recruiting and retaining — but it’s also the national speakers we’re bringing to campus and the broader engagement across the University,” Carpenter said. “The Military Connected Community initiative really represents the web of all these connected pieces.”
That web, she said, is woven throughout campus and across the community.
Carpenter highlighted campus events such as visits from national military and industry leaders including Northrop Grumman’s Ben Davies, Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber of the North Dakota National Guard, Purple Heart recipient Tony Drees and U.S. Army veteran J.R. Martinez as standout results of these efforts.
Similarly, united efforts involving the President’s Office, the Office of the Vice President for Research and other units illustrate what Carpenter described as “all the pieces” coming together to form a support system for students with real results.
The impact for students
These results, Carpenter said, are most visible in student outcomes and experiences.
Since Fall 2020, military-affiliated student enrollment at UND has increased by 41.1%. Retention and graduation rates have also improved. In Fall 2024, retention reached 87.57% for military dependents, 78.31% for military veterans and 93.06% for ROTC cadets in the first year of tracking.
UND has also earned Gold status as a Military Friendly School and ensures military-affiliated students receive either the Federal Tuition Assistance rate or North Dakota in-state tuition. Eligible veterans benefit from an honorable discharge auto-admission process designed to streamline admissions and reduce friction.
This support continues after students arrive on campus, too. The Military Affiliated Peer Support (MAPS) program helps students with onboarding and finding their way through UND; in addition, programs such as the Valor Scholarship can support students as well.
Faculty and staff engagement is also part of the effort. Through the Teaching Transformation and Development Academy (TTaDA), Veteran & Military Services offers the Military 101 education series, which has trained more than 110 employees across campus to better understand and serve military-connected students.
A campuswide effort
When asked what made UND stand out among its peers, Carpenter pointed to the large scope of UND’s efforts.
“The initiative showcases all the pieces — student support, community outreach, the national level we’re operating at — and how we tie it all together,” she said. “I think looking at everything we’re doing together piqued people’s interest.”
She added, “When you see it all together in a package like this, you realize there’s a lot happening.”
Provost Link, who created the nomination packet with Kilgore, shared this sentiment.
“We are incredibly proud of the outstanding work by Angie Carpenter and her team in strengthening student support and opportunities for military-connected students at the University of North Dakota,” Link said. “Their dedication to creating meaningful pathways for academic success, connection and long-term achievement is what led to this recognition and reflects the lasting impact this work has on our military-affiliated students and their families.”
Carpenter noted that the award reflects a University-wide effort to connect with students and the community.
“Our team has incredible partners and collaborations across campus,” she said. “I love the work we’re doing; every day, there’s something new that we’re planning. So, to be recognized for that work is really exciting.”
Looking to the future
For Carpenter, the most important part of the award is that it affirms the work they’re doing is putting UND on the radar nationwide.
“As new opportunities come up nationally — even worldwide — it’s fulfilling to see UND becoming a focal point,” she said. “We’re a beacon for people to look at and say, ‘Hey, they’re doing some amazing things there.’”
But, the most exciting part is seeing how the work serves our military affiliated students and impacts them down the road.
“It’s exciting to think about the what-ifs,” she said. “We’re connecting students to all of these opportunities now, and one of them could end up leading a startup, heading a major organization or shaping policy because of the experiences they had here.
“We’re planting seeds — and I’m excited to see what they grow into.”
