Ole Miss Earns Top Veterans School Honor

The magazine team evaluates schools on self-reported surveys and independent research, with key factors including support for veteran resource centers, student veteran organizations, VA certifying officials and academic credit for military training. 

The recognition was based on the magazine's evaluation of Ole Miss, rather than a university nomination, said Jeremee Alexander, director of the Office of Veteran and Military Services.

"Awards are good to receive, it lets you know that you are going in the right direction," he said. "While winning awards is meaningful, what is more important is to never stop moving forward to improve our process. This group of students deserve nothing but our best, and we bring it every single day."

This is the fourth veterans-related honor Ole Miss has received this year. In the spring, Military Friendly awarded the university gold status for its continued support of student veterans. Ole Miss was also named a Top 10 Military Spouse School by Military Friendly and Mississippi's No. 1 university for veterans by U.S. News & World Report.

Alexander gives his team all the credit for the department's success.

"We are successful because we truly care about the people we serve," he said. "We have laughed with people. We have cried with people. This house is a refuge, and I think people feel that when they come in here."

The office's staff are invested in veterans' well-being and the George Street House offers a nice place to study, relax and print out materials for class, said Matthew Lewallen, Student Veteran Association president and a senior accountancy major.

"If you are having a bad day, a bad week or a bad life, you can go up and talk to them about your issues and they will stop what they are doing," the Crenshaw native said. "It is really nice to have a lot of people that have the same perspective as you do as vets to help out."

Counselor Christina Kepner has been a key to the office's success, Alexander said. Meeting with Kepner is confidential and the office does not have access to any of her records or who meets with her.

"Families knowing we have an embedded counselor are over the moon happy to hear about that," Alexander said. "We care about our students' well-being, developing them as a person and being there for them when they need some help, helping them recognize their potential and going after it as they transition out of here."

Lewallen, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, said one thing that has improved since Alexander, a U.S. Air Force veteran, became director in 2025 is processing time. 

"We are getting our GI Bill a lot quicker now because the process has been streamlined," he said. "That is a big relief, knowing the VA has our info within a day or two of us getting our class schedule together."

Ole Miss offers far more than just support for veterans, Lewallen said. From tailgating with fellow veterans in the Grove to opportunities in the classroom, the university offers a complete experience, he said.

"Aside from the veteran aspect, Ole Miss is just a great school to be at," Lewallen said. "There is something here for everyone, with the great academic programs and entertainment offered throughout the year.

"For veterans, you will have a great group of people here to look after you and make sure you are taken care of. From Jeremee to the newest person here, Ole Miss is a place where veterans from different branches have come together and support one another."

Top: Chancellor Glenn Boyce speaks at an event at the George Street House, which houses the Office of Veteran and Military Services. U.S. Veterans Magazine has named the university as a Top Veterans School. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services