Ron Mansolilli, director of the Veteran's Resource Center, announces PSU's Military Friendly School Gold Award at a March 31 ceremony.
Portland State University has been officially recognized as a 2026-2027 Military Friendly School, achieving Gold Award status. This designation — the highest tier of recognition — places PSU within the top 10% of institutions nationwide for its commitment to student veterans and the military-affiliated community.
The Military Friendly Gold Award is reserved for institutions whose programs score within 20 percent of the 10th-ranked institution in their category. For PSU, this fulfills a key strategic goal set by the Veterans Resource Center (VRC).
“Getting this designation for the university has been on my radar since before my first interview,” said Ron Mansolilli, director of the VRC. “It was a primary goal in my presentation to the community. Seeing it come to fruition now is a testament to the ‘village’ it took to get here.”
The designation was the result of a massive data-collection effort, breaking down campus silos to highlight the university’s comprehensive support systems. The VRC worked closely with the Office of Institutional Research and Planning, Career Services and various community partners to demonstrate PSU's excellence in serving those who have served.
“This is a proud day for Portland State University because of this designation and the exceptional support for veterans, active duty members and their families that it represents,” said PSU President Ann Cudd. “Our veteran and military-connected students strengthen PSU classrooms, our research and the civic life of our community, our city and our region.”
While PSU is often recognized for its urban, liberal-arts mission, Mansolilli notes that supporting veterans is a natural extension of those values.
“Being a left-leaning school and supporting veterans are not mutually exclusive,” he said. “It’s about building trust and showing that PSU is a place where they can achieve higher education with a high level of accountability.”
The Military Friendly Gold Status recognizes PSU’s strength in three specific tiers: academic support, mental health and wellness and career support. Mansolilli is particularly proud of the VRC’s efforts to support mental health and wellness, through spaces like the Mind Spa, partnerships with the Center for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) and events like Wellness Week that brought Caesar the No Drama Llama to campus. Tailored academic pathways for veterans and active-duty members and robust support for post-education employment are also important facets of the designation, Mansolilli added.
PSU currently serves approximately 1,000 military-affiliated students annually, with roughly 500 to 600 students enrolled per term. This community includes veterans, active-duty National Guard members, reservists, ROTC cadets, and military spouses and dependents.
“We have a lot to shoot for,” Mansolilli said. “This is about giving confidence to military and veteran students across the nation that Portland State doesn’t just welcome them — we have a proven track record of standing behind them.”