Cal State San Marcos has earned the 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School designation, receiving a Gold Award for its exemplary work on behalf of military-connected students and their families.
Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025-2026 survey, with 830 earning special awards for going above the standard.
CSUSM is the only California State University school, and one of just two California four-year public universities, to receive the designation. UC Riverside is the other.
CSUSM earned a Silver Award designation in 2018.
“At Cal State San Marcos, we are deeply honored to serve those who have served our country,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “With one in 10 of our students identifying as military-connected, we’ve built a strong, supportive community centered at the Epstein Family Veterans Center, where students can access resources tailored to their unique journeys. Earning this designation reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that military-connected students and their families have the tools, support and opportunities they need to thrive in their academic and professional lives.”
The 2025-2026 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and found at www.militaryfriendly.com.
Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community.
Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
“I am very proud of what Cal State San Marcos is doing for our military community," said Josh Loop, director of CSUSM's Veterans to Naval Careers program. “The results of the MFS survey reinforce that this is a campuswide effort and that the entire university is dedicated to serving and supporting our active-duty service members, our veterans and their families.”
In addition to the Veterans to Naval Careers program, CSUSM supports the military community through Extended Learning, which offers bachelor's degree programs at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, including in cybersecurity and supply chain management.
“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process,” said Kayla Lopez, vice president of Military Friendly®. “Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools that achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, exceeding the standard.”
For more information about CSUSM's student veteran programs, go to the Veterans Services website.
About Military Friendly® Schools
The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.
Latest News Release
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- Career Center Brings Back Etiquette Dinner With Personal TouchThe CSUSM Career Center proudly revived a cherished tradition this spring with the return of its Etiquette Dinner – the first one held in five years. This dynamic evening of professional development, networking and fine dining was designed to equip students with essential skills for career success. Hosted by Dr. Yasmine Farley, director of the Career Center and a certified etiquette consultant through Gonzaga University, the event offered students hands-on experience in navigating formal dining settings while cultivating professional presence and confidence. “Growing up as a first-generation college student from a low-income, single-parent household, I didn’t have access to these types of experiences,” Farley said. “Over time, I learned the importance of etiquette and professionalism in building my career – and it means the world to be able to pass those lessons along to our students at CSUSM, especially in a way that is accessible and cost-effective for the university.” Thanks to Farley’s recent certification, the Career Center was able to provide this training in-house, eliminating the need to hire an outside facilitator and allowing more students to participate. The evening guided attendees through a multicourse meal while covering topics from The Etiquette Institute’s framework, “The Four Cs” — context, culture, change and comfort — noting that etiquette isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being present and respectful. Students explored practical tips on professional dining – like how to navigate formal place settings, handle utensils correctly, engage in graceful conversation, manage beverage and soup etiquette, and avoid common faux pas. Attendees also learned about networking and how to build a personal brand that leaves a lasting impression. For many, the dinner was a transformative learning opportunity. “I'm very grateful to have received the opportunity to attend the Etiquette Dinner hosted by the Career Center,” said Angel Albarote, a human development major. “It was a fun time learning about dining in a professional setting while connecting with other attendees.” “I gained insight into proper table manners and how to carry myself in formal dining and networking settings, skills that are essential for both personal and professional growth,” said Leo Smith, a pre-business major. “Thank you to Dr. Farley and the Career Center for hosting this wonderful event!” Anahi Martinez Perez, a business administration major, echoed those sentiments, saying: “The event was not only an enriching experience in terms of etiquette and professionalism but also an invaluable opportunity to network with like-minded individuals. I look forward to seeing this event grow and continue to inspire more professionals.” The dinner also welcomed CSUSM alumni, including Jasmin Casas, who reflected on the joy of reconnecting with her alma mater. “It was awesome to be back on campus as an alum,” said Casas, who graduated in 2024 with a degree in literature and writing studies and now works as a legal assistant in the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. “I can’t wait to see what my awesome new friends will do next.” As the Career Center continues to expand its programming in support of student success, the return of the Etiquette Dinner reflects the team’s ongoing commitment to providing inclusive, practical and empowering opportunities for professional development. For more information about upcoming events or to learn how to support student professional development, visit www.csusm.edu/careers. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
