ECPI University’s South Carolina Campuses Earn Gold-Level Veteran Support Award
ECPI University's three South Carolina campuses in Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston have earned the Gold-Level Military Academic Award, the highest recognition given by the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs (SCDVA).
The SCDVA is the state agency that advocates for South Carolina’s veterans and their families and connects them with resources, services, and opportunities. Its Military Academic Recognition Program highlights colleges and universities that demonstrate a commitment to supporting military-affiliated students.
Gold is reserved for institutions that score at the top of the agency's evaluation, and few schools meet the standard. ECPI University is only the seventh institution recognized statewide and one of only four to reach Gold level.
See the South Carolina Military Academic Recognition Program for the full list of recognized schools and what each award level requires.
What does it take to earn a Gold rating for veteran support?
The SCDVA's written evaluation examines the full range of an institution's military support, from the credits it accepts from transferring service members to whether its faculty and staff are trained to work with veteran students. A score above 90% earns Gold, the highest of the program's three levels.
The rating followed a close review by the SCDVA. The agency met virtually with all three South Carolina campuses to see how the university runs its programs and tracks student progress, with particular interest in the career services work connecting graduates to regional employers.
Matt Stein, Campus President in Columbia, considers the recognition a tremendous honor. "It reflects ECPI's dedication to providing the resources, support, and educational opportunities they deserve as they pursue their academic and career goals," he says.
For James Weaver, Campus President in Charleston, the award is something more personal. "As a veteran who continues to serve in the South Carolina Army National Guard, this recognition is especially meaningful to me," he says.
How does ECPI University support military and veteran students?
ECPI University helps military and veteran students earn a degree that respects their experiences. That work has drawn notice: earlier this year, ECPI University was named one of the top 10 Military Friendly® Schools in the nation and also received a 2026 Military Spouse Friendly Schools® Gold designation for the support it offers spouses and dependents.
Behind these recognitions is the everyday work of helping military students finish what they start. Too many veterans begin a degree and never complete it, often because of colleges not being designed for students like them. ECPI University is built around their reality, with an accelerated calendar and advisors who understand what military students are navigating.
Earning a Gold rating from the SCDVA is a significant achievement, and it’s part of a much larger and ongoing commitment that extends across every ECPI University campus.
