Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott has recognized 33 public colleges and universities in Texas for earning the 2025 Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). The award, created by the Texas Legislature, honors institutions that deliver high-quality education and support services to student veterans and military-connected students.

“Colleges and universities across Texas offer world-class resources and educational support to the brave men and women who served in our nation’s military,” said Governor Abbott. "I thank these institutions for their ongoing efforts to provide wide-ranging services for student veterans and veterans' children as they pursue opportunities in higher education. Texans are forever indebted to our veterans and their families and will continue to support their success so they can thrive in the greatest state in the greatest country in the history of the world.”

TVC Chairwoman Laura Koerner, a Navy veteran, highlighted the importance of education for veterans. “Education is key to a veteran’s personal well-being and long-term quality of life,” she said. “These colleges and universities ensure our veterans and their dependents receive the quality education they have earned in an environment that cultivates their academic success. Congratulations and thank you to these schools for their topnotch higher education opportunities.”

The recognition is given at gold, silver, or bronze levels based on how well institutions serve veteran students and their families. Gold award recipients include Angelo State University, Austin Community College, Collin County Community College, Dallas College, Del Mar College, El Paso Community College*, Lone Star College*, Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, Sam Houston State University, San Antonio College, South Texas College, St. Philip’s College, Tarrant County College, Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University – San Antonio, Texas A&M University – Texarkana, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, University of Houston – Clear Lake*, University of North Texas, The University of Texas at Arlington, The University of Texas at Dallas and West Texas A&M University.

Silver awards went to San Jacinto College; Stephen F. Austin State University*; Tarleton State University*; The University of Texas at Tyler*. Bronze awards were given to Lee College; Texas State Technical College*.

Institutions were evaluated on several criteria including having a central resource center for veterans on campus; dedicated staff contacts; participation in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs work-study programs; tailored admissions policies; orientation programs for new veteran students; student organizations specifically for veterans; academic support services; mental health resources; housing policies applicable to veterans; faculty training on veteran issues; career services tailored for veterans; among other factors considered important by TVC.

All public colleges and universities in Texas are eligible to apply each year for this recognition if they offer substantial support services for student veterans or military-connected students.

The TVC provides advocacy and direct assistance to improve quality of life for all state veterans as well as their families. This includes helping with benefits claims administration such as those related to the Hazlewood Act—a program providing education benefits—and distributing funds to agencies offering direct services.