College provides full array of support services for military veterans and servicemembers
2024 Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges has ranked Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) third in Minnesota and 28th in the Midwest for providing outstanding support services to veterans and military students. Best for Vets included five ranking categories this year. Along with its Minnesota and Midwest rankings, DCTC was recognized in the following categories:
- 212th in Overall
- 134th in Primarily In-Person
- 162nd in Public
According to Military Times: “The Best for Vets: Colleges survey questions and scoring rubric have been honed and developed in consultation with representatives from several schools covering the range of institution types.
“Student success metrics are the most important factor in determining the relative ranking of schools on the list, followed closely by the range of military-specific resources and the level of financial assistance schools offer. Admissions and registration policies, human resources and assorted miscellaneous considerations also factor into the scoring rubric.
In 2024, we introduced a deeper level of categorization in the scoring that better distinguishes the different levels of educational opportunities at each institution. Success metrics for each level of education (certificate, associate, baccalaureate and graduate) were compared against each other for all the schools that offered these levels. This adjustment, combined with a significant number of respondents new to the survey, resulted in a fair amount of fluctuation in the rankings compared to 2023.
Learn more about the Best for Vets ranking methodology by visiting:
Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges
Military & Veteran Services at DCTC
Challenge Coin Presentation to DCTC Military Graduates Spring 2024
The Center is located on campus in Room 2-302 and is staffed by Charles Egerstrom, MDVA higher education regional coordinator, and VA student workers who are committed to helping veterans reach their higher education goals.
Services offered at the Center include:
- Veterans, current military, and dependent resources
- Military credit transfer
- Academic accommodations
- Withdrawals due to deployments
- Referrals to on-campus academic assistance
- Access to community providers
- Events for veterans and military families
- Scholarships for the following:
- Veterans
- Current Military
- Dependents of veterans or current military
DCTC was proclaimed a Beyond The Yellow Ribbon Company in 2010. The college enhanced its status as a veteran-friendly campus by opening a newly remodeled Military and Veterans Service Center in 2016. DCTC has been ranked nationally by Military Times Best for Vets 11 years in a row.
DCTC is dedicated to meeting the needs of student-veterans and active-duty service members. Some veterans face personal, relationship, education and employment challenges. Veteran’s families also may need support while their loved ones serve overseas and when they return home. Working with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, DCTC provides additional training on supporting veterans to counselors, student affairs staff, faculty, and administrators.
Learn more about Military & Veteran Services at DCTC by contacting:
Charles Egerstrom
MDVA Higher Education Regional Coordinator
Charles.Egerstrom@state.mn.us
651-336-2371
Military and Veterans Service Center on DCTC campus: Room 2-302
Jill Fiedler
School Certifying Official
jill.fiedler@dctc.edu
651-423-8522
