JONESBORO, Ark. — Arkansas State University has been named one of the top schools for military veterans by U.S. Veterans Magazine, with university officials pointing to the Beck Center for Veterans as a key factor in supporting veteran and military-connected students.
The center, launched nearly 20 years ago with funding from alumni Buddy and Charlotte Beck, specializes in helping veterans take advantage of education benefits, access campus resources, and resolve challenges that could disrupt their studies. According to the university, more than 1,000 military veterans have earned associate, bachelor's, or technical degrees since the center opened.
Johnathon A. Mullins, a veteran and graduate student who works at the center, praised the university's commitment to veteran students. "The university has gone above and beyond in advocating for veteran students," Mullins said. "My impression is that we have people in positions of authority who genuinely want to do the right thing by students."
Mullins added that recognition like this could help raise awareness of available services, noting that many veterans, including those not using education benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, might be unaware of the assistance offered. “The more our name is out there, the more students become aware of us, and ultimately that helps us fulfill our goal of helping veterans stay in school and successfully navigate their academic journey,” he said.
The Beck Center provides support to both on-campus and online students, offering guidance on education benefits, access to resources, and a dedicated space for student veterans. "Everything we offer through the Beck Center is available free of charge," Mullins said. "We also try to make it a place where students actually want to spend time. They can come in and use the printer, find a quiet place to study, or just lie back on one of the couches and watch a movie between classes."
The center also serves veterans from the surrounding community and hosts regular fundraising events, including a golf tournament and a 5K race. Its staff includes director Jana Haskins.
To qualify for assistance, veterans need to provide documentation of their combat-era military service, such as a DD214. According to the university, Beck Center staff are available to assist veterans through the process.
For more information about the Beck Center for Veterans, call 870-972-2624 or email BeckCenter4Vets@AState.edu.