“This is a testament to the robust work which happens around campus to create meaningful education paths and to support our military-connected students,” said Kyle Hurwitz, director, Center for Military-Connected Students.

With almost 3,200  enrolled, military students account for more than 12% of UofL’s total enrollment.

Each year, Military Friendly® evaluates universities based on graduation outcomes, culture, military support and financial aid, among other areas. Military Friendly® Gold institutions are selected for “leading practices, outcomes and effective programs.”

“We are very proud to continue to earn these designations year after year,” said President Gerry Bradley. “We recognize and celebrate the Center for Military-Connected Students, whose dedicated efforts enable us to promote student success at the highest levels.” 

One of the many programs supporting UofL’s service members is Red Bird Allies, a once per semester training for faculty and staff to learn about the military-connected student experience and to understand the concerns, unique perspectives, strengths and challenges of this student population. 

Emily Miles, an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences, is one of more than 200 faculty and staff Red Bird Allies. She frequently advises students who have been in the military, have a parent in the military or want to join when they graduate. 

“Thanks to the training I received, I feel comfortable giving guidance about transferrable credits or financial coverage concerns and referring them to the highly capable specialists at the Center for Military-Connected students,” said Miles. “Feedback from students indicates UofL’s support of military-connected students is exceptional.”

Interested in becoming a Red Bird Ally? .

Through a survey, Military Times collects data from colleges nationwide. With this information, institutions are evaluated based on academic quality, student support services, affordability and outcomes for veterans – including graduation and retention rates. 

This year’s survey showcased a substantial increase in online/hybrid program options and a meaningful growth in veteran resources like peer mentorship centers and mental health services for post-service transition.

This latest honor adds to the accolades of UofL’s military-connected student supports. In 2025, the Cardinal community received recognition as a for the fourth year in a row. UofL is one of only 27 Carnegie research 1 institutions in the nation to earn a designated status, and the only one in Kentucky to earn a “Gold” designation from Military Friendly®, a veteran-owned company that ranks universities for how well they support military students.

With almost 2,600 military-connected students enrolled, military students account for more than 10% of UofL’s total enrollment. The  is committed to providing a supportive space with five full-time staff members dedicated to assisting military students on campus. Some of the benefits include scholarships for veterans and their dependents, lower tuition rates and multiple fee waivers. 

To learn more about the Best for Vets Colleges rankings, 

UofL is one of only 27 Carnegie research 1 institutions in the nation to earn a designated status, and the only one in Kentucky to earn a “Gold” designation from ®, a veteran-owned company that ranks universities for how well they support military students.

With almost 2,600 enrolled, military students account for more than 10% of UofL’s total enrollment.

Each year, Military Friendly® evaluates universities based on graduation outcomes, culture, military support and financial aid, among other areas.

The list highlights universities that “strive toward and succeed in the areas that matter most in helping veterans make the transition from the military to school and, ultimately, satisfying careers in the civilian world,” according to Military Friendly®.

“We are very proud to have earned these designations for a fourth consecutive year,” University of Louisville President Gerry Bradley said. “Designations like this validate the institution’s committed efforts to improving student success. I want to recognize and thank the Center for Military-Connected Students, and all units whose efforts enabled us to earn these designations.”

The Center for Military-Connected Students has been housed in the renovated Brodschi Hall since fall 2023. In fall 2024, Brodschi’s basement renovation was completed.

The final phase modernized two restrooms, added a study room, a meeting room, a ping-pong table, foosball table, a television and comfortable seating options.

Tony Duran, an Army veteran and second-year law student at , said the center is a place he’s had some of the best conversations on campus, with people who “get what it means to serve.”

In a typical week, the facility sees 100 students come through its doors for coffee, tea and snacks, while others use the space to study, hang out, or learn about their educational benefits through the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Brodschi Hall continues to be identified as a benchmark in the state, region and nation.

The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs encourages institutions in Kentucky to visit Brodschi Hall. The center has hosted visitors from as far away as California.

In May, the center will celebrate the graduation of more than 200 military-connected students, representing all 12 of UofL’s schools and colleges.

Of approximately 1,800 participating institutions, UofL was one of 29 Carnegie Designated Tier 1 Research institutions to earn “Gold” designation. According to Military Friendly®, “Gold” designated institutions are selected for their “leading practices, outcomes, and effective programs” when it comes to military-connected students. “Gold” designated institutions succeed in the “areas that matter most in helping veterans make the transition from the military to school and then to satisfying careers in the civilian sector.”

“Our military-connected students, who sacrifice for all of us, deserve our very best,” UofL President Kim Schatzel said. “Earning this designation is validation of the ongoing work of many people across our campuses to serve the military-connected population and our continuing efforts to make the university a great place to learn. We remain committed to continually improving how we serve the more than 2,000 military-connected students at UofL.”

A key reason UofL earned “Gold” designation was creation of the new Center for Military-Connected Students, set to open this summer in Brodschi Hall. Through this center, the institution is improving how it addresses the academic, financial, physical and social needs of its military-connected students.

Funded by a bipartisan-supported $600,000 allocation from the Kentucky Legislature, renovations began in late February. The nearly 5,000 square-foot facility will have office space for full-time staff, flexible office space for support staff from student services areas, a student lounge, study space and kitchen, a wellness/lactation room and two new ADA-compliant restrooms. “Brodschi Hall will be the one-stop shop where military-connected students can connect with campus and community resources and where they can connect with each other,” said center director Kyle Hurwitz.

Construction is being carried out by UofL’s Physical Plant with mechanical, electrical and plumbing work engineered by Kerr-Greulich Engineers Inc. Architect for the project is SNDBX Design Collaborative and interior design is by UofL’s University Planning, Design and Construction.

Also a factor in UofL’s “Gold” designation is the Salute to Service Scholarship for veteran and dependent students. Awarded for the first time in Fall 2022 the scholarship awards four $2,500 scholarships in fall and spring terms, and two $2,500 scholarships for summer terms to veteran or dependent students. The scholarship was made possible by a generous donation from the UPS Foundation as well support from the H.E.R.O Run/Walk/Ruck 5K, a local charity event started in 2022 by a UofL employee and his spouse who work for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Freshman music therapy major Bethany Whitney is the youngest daughter of a deceased U.S. Navy veteran and was one of the first two recipients of the Salute to Service Scholarship. She graduated with honors and a 4.0 weighted GPA from Hume-Fogg High School in Nashville. “The scholarship relieves so much financial anxiety on my family, and it feels like my dad is providing for us even after passing,” Whitney said.

Another of the first recipients of the Salute to Service scholarship was Air Force veteran and senior business finance major Roman Lytovchennko. During his four-year enlistment, Roman earned his associate’s degree from the Community College of the Air Force and was among 15% of all Airmen to earn a Below the Zone promotion to Senior Airman. The scholarship is assisting him to purchase a Certified Financial Planner Capstone Course as well as to cover the costs of the CFP license exam.

Another way the institution is serving its military-connected students is through a collaboration between the Center for Military-Connected Students, the University Career Center and Office of Adult Learning. These units worked together to introduce a voluntary training program for faculty and staff who wish to learn more about the military-connected student experience.

“Red Bird” training creates allies who know about the issues and concerns, unique perspectives, strengths and challenges of military-connected students. “Red Bird” trained individuals assist military-connected students and serve as resources to other faculty, staff or students who have questions about military-connected student issues. The first training session was held in February and almost 40 faculty and staff members were trained. A second training session will take place in April.

According to the most recently available data from the Department of Defense’s Tuition Assistance Decide Tool, UofL has more students using military tuition assistance than the other 14 institutions in the Atlantic Coast Conference combined. Among the reasons for this high enrollment are a reduced tuition rate of $250 per credit hour for active-duty and qualifying members of the National Guard and Reserves applying to most graduate programs as well as to all undergraduate programs. Additionally, the institution waives application fees and offers priority course registration for currently serving members of the U.S. military and veterans.

The J.B. Speed School of Engineering recently began offering the reduced tuition rate of $250 per credit hour for their graduate programs, including the Master of Engineering in Engineering Management. A complete list of military tuition assistance programs can be found at