Students, schools, centers, and services bolster UNCG’s military-friendly reputation
Veterans Day is celebrated every Nov. 11, and Military Families Appreciation Month lasts through November. It’s an important time at UNC Greensboro, where almost 10% of the student body is affiliated with the military, whether in active service, veteran status, or through family members.
UNCG, officially designated as a Top Ten Military Friendly school for its programs and support for active service members and veterans, has been named a Best College for Veterans by US News & World Report and Military Times for several years running. Military Times also named UNCG as Military Friendly Spouse School.
From Fall 2024 to Fall 2025, UNCG’s military-affiliated student enrollment rose by 11%, outpacing the overall UNC System’s 6% growth. Currently, UNCG has over 425 veterans, 85 active-duty students, and 1,100 military family dependents, totaling 1,641 students.
Kinesiology fourth-year Jose Pineda first came to UNCG in 2011, just after high school. He left early and enlisted in the US Marine Corps, serving from 2016–2023. There he gained direction and discipline. After leaving the Corps, it made sense for him to return to the G.
“It was an easy transition to get back and finish my bachelor’s degree,” he says. “And I was able to get a veteran’s scholarship. I’m so grateful to UNCG for providing a place for veterans like me to study.”
There are other ways UNCG provides specialized support. All military-affiliated students at UNCG get priority class registration. UNCG’s Office of Military Affiliated Services functions as a liaison and advocacy center for these students, ensuring academic success and fostering community. The Veterans Access Program in the School of Nursing allows students with medical military specialties an accelerated path to a B.S. in nursing. And the Institute for the Convergence of Optimized Methods for Military Advances and National Defense, known as the iCOMMAND Institute, performs research to develop advanced materials, manufacturing solutions, and wellness training that supports our troops on and off the battlefield.
“UNCG is proud to serve our military community,” says Chris Gregory, Director of Military-Affiliated Services. “Our veteran students bring a wealth of experience, leadership, and perspective to campus life, and we take great pride in supporting those who have given so much in service to our country.”
Pineda appreciates the MAS office for everything it has to offer.
“Chris runs a great program over there,” he says. “He does a great job of getting veterans together; he’s always hosting events for us, sending out group emails. Through the MAS I have gotten to know more veterans and just be in this community of military people. They have a space for us at their office for us to hang out and relax, print stuff, or do homework. I’m grateful that UNCG provides this place for us to be.”
Pineda is set to graduate with his B.A. in kinesiology in December.
The University has two events planned on Veterans Day.
- Tuesday morning: A station will be set up in Elliott University Center for students to sign cards for our UNCG veterans and pick up “Thank You” pins they can give to veterans to show gratitude for their service. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Tuesday afternoon: A Dessert Social in the Military-Affiliated Services office is open to all UNCG veterans from 2–4 p.m.
Story by Brian Clarey, University Communications
Photo by Sean Norona, University Communications
