BLOOMSBURG – Lock Haven, Bloomsburg, and Mansfield, as Commonwealth University, have been named as “PNGAS Guard-Friendly School” by the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations (PNGAS). Bloomsburg also received the 2022 PNGAS College/University of the Year designation.

Developed by the PNGAS Education Advisory Council, the “PNGAS Guard-Friendly School” program was designed to recognize high schools, colleges, universities, and trade schools that meet or exceed a set of standards for creating a supportive learning environment that is friendly to recruiting and assists members of the Pennsylvania Guard in pursuing post-secondary degrees and military service.

These criteria include providing flexible scheduling options for National Guard members whose class availability may be disrupted due to the requirements of their Guard service, providing credit for prior learning via military training and experience in accordance with American Council on Education (ACE) college credit recommendations, and offering training for school faculty and/or staff on how to support the specific needs of military and veteran students, and permits recruiting by the Pennsylvania National Guard.

“Commonwealth University is proud to be recognized as a PNGAS Guard-Friendly School,” said Bashar W. Hanna, president.