{"id":18685,"date":"2025-08-20T10:15:49","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T14:15:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=18685"},"modified":"2025-08-20T10:15:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T14:15:50","slug":"wilmu-once-again-named-a-military-friendly-gold-award-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2025\/08\/20\/wilmu-once-again-named-a-military-friendly-gold-award-school\/","title":{"rendered":"WilmU Once Again Named a Military Friendly\u00ae Gold Award School\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column18685_ecc56b-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column18685_ecc56b-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column18685_ecc56b-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column18685_ecc56b-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column18685_ecc56b-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column18685_ecc56b-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column18685_ecc56b-f7{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18685_ecc56b-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column18685_ecc56b-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column18685_ecc56b-f7\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>Retired Marine Sgt.<strong> Jonathan Cruz<\/strong> didn\u2019t dream of becoming a lawyer until later in life, and now he\u2019s building his future at <a href=\"https:\/\/law.wilmu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wilmington University School of Law<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Jonathan-Cruz.jpg\" alt=\"Jonathan Cruz\" class=\"wp-image-18691\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Jonathan Cruz<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI grew up in a very poor neighborhood in the Bronx, New York, and it just felt like it was out of my league,\u201d says Cruz, a disabled veteran and one of more than 1,600 military-connected WilmU students. \u201cI\u2019m the first person in my family to graduate college, let alone try to go to law school.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He served as an HVAC technician in Afghanistan and suffered a brain injury while playing football. After his medical discharge, a childhood friend and attorney suggested a career in law.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt turned out this is a passion of mine,\u201d says Cruz, who chose WilmU Law for its affordability, inclusivity and commitment to student success. \u201cI love the environment, the ideals of what WilmU has planned for the law school.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He especially appreciates the University\u2019s exceptional <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/military\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">military support services<\/a>, which earned WilmU the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militaryfriendly.com\/school-profile\/?sid=334\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2025-2026 Military Friendly Schools Award Gold-Level distinction<\/a> \u2014 its 14<sup>th<\/sup> consecutive Military Friendly recognition.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been incredible the amount of resources that were given to me,\u201d Cruz says. \u201cEverybody\u2019s so forthcoming, very shirt-off-your-back people, and I just love that.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Benefits of a University for Military Members<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WilmU Law holds classes in person, but the University offers other degrees and certificates <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/onlinelearning\/online_programs.aspx\">100% online<\/a> so students can learn anywhere with web access. Active-duty service members can take advantage of WilmU\u2019s undergraduate online <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/tuition\/index.aspx#onlinemilitary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">military tuition rate<\/a>. Plus, a dedicated team of counselors can maximize <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/military\/military-tuition.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">military benefits<\/a>, such as the GI Bill\u00ae and Tuition Assistance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s so exciting to have the knowledge to be able to help individuals,\u201d says <strong>Dr. James Webb<\/strong>, an Air Force veteran and WilmU\u2019s director of military affairs. \u201cEvery day I get a thank-you from somebody, and that\u2019s what keeps me going \u2014 it touches the heart, for sure.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Online Universities for Military Spouses&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Wilmington University is also a Military Spouse Friendly\u00ae School, ensuring the best educational experience for service members\u2019 spouses. <strong>Rafaella Nero<\/strong>, whose husband is a Marine, earned her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/behavioralscience\/law-policy-and-political-science.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">B.S. in Law, Policy and Political Science<\/a> at WilmU.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rafaella-Nero.jpg\" alt=\"Rafaella Nero\" class=\"wp-image-18692\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rafaella Nero<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat I love most about Wilmington University is its commitment to inclusion and flexibility, and how it made higher education accessible and meaningful for me,\u201d says Nero, adding that \u201cbecause of our frequent relocations, finding an online program that could travel with me was essential. From the beginning, WilmU provided a smooth experience, helping me stay on track with my goals despite the challenges of military life.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cruz\u2019s goal after WilmU Law is \u201cto go to New York City and basically fight for human rights,\u201d and he\u2019s grateful military benefits will help him achieve it.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYour GI Bill can reach so far. You may not even know the benefits you can obtain,\u201d Cruz says. \u201cWilmU and the faculty have just been there for me every step of the way.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id18685_97382a-96{margin-top:0em;}.kb-row-layout-id18685_97382a-96 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id18685_97382a-96 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id18685_97382a-96 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:0em;padding-right:0em;padding-bottom:0em;padding-left:0em;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id18685_97382a-96{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}.kb-row-layout-id18685_97382a-96 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id18685_97382a-96 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id18685_97382a-96{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kb-row-layout-id18685_97382a-96 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id18685_97382a-96{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}}.wu-text-col,.wu-img-col {\tmin-height: 114px;}.wu-text-col &gt; div,.wu-img-col &gt; div {\tflex: 1;}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id18685_97382a-96 alignnone FULL wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );}.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:var(--global-palette9, #ffffff);}.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}.kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc figure.image-is-svg {-webkit-margin-after: 1em;  margin-block-end: 1em;}img[src$=\".svg\"] {  max-width: 220px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column18685_c7267f-dc kb-section-dir-horizontal wu-img-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image18685_d3c654-c4:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image18685_d3c654-c4.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-image18685_d3c654-c4 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image18685_d3c654-c4 image-is-svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"120\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/wilmu-cta-logo-wu.svg\" alt=\"Wilm U post footer logo\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-17727\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col > .wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:#eeeeee;}.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}.kt-row-column-wrap &gt; .wp-block-kadence-column {align-self: stretch;}.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe &gt; div {  padding-block: 1em;}.kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe p:last-of-type {  -webkit-margin-after: 0;  margin-block-end: 0;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column18685_94bc28-fe kb-section-dir-vertical wu-text-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"NoMargin\" style=\"font-size:1rem\"><em>Discover how Wilmington University supports the <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/military\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>military community<\/em><\/a><em> with flexibility, convenience and affordability.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"NoMargin\" style=\"font-size:1rem\"><em>Interested in law school? With its accessible, student-focused approach, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/law.wilmu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Wilmington University School of Law<\/em><\/a><em> is reimagining legal education.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Retired Marine Sgt. Jonathan Cruz didn\u2019t dream of becoming a lawyer until later in life, and now he\u2019s building his future at Wilmington University School&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":18690,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1051,103,1050,104,14,39,15,384],"class_list":["post-18685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-law-public-policy-and-criminal-justice-degrees","tag-military-benefits","tag-military-firendly-school-awards-gold-level","tag-military-friendly-school","tag-wilmington-university","tag-wilmington-university-school-of-law","tag-wilmu","tag-wilmu-law"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"ACADEMIC 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