Jenkins MBA’s Jen Arthur Given the Military Challenge Coin Award

Jen Arthur, the director of MBA admissions, has been awarded the NC State Military Challenge Coin award due to her commitment to supporting active military and veteran students. Arthur was nominated by Brittni DeSander, a graduate student in the Jenkins MBA program, for the tradition which recognizes students, faculty, and staff for their unwavering commitment to the success of active military and veteran students.

As the director of MBA admissions, Arthur recruits top students for the Jenkins MBA program and works with a talented and dedicated group of admissions team members, overseeing the admissions process for our full-time, evening, and online programs. This is where she began working with DeSander during her time as a prospective student and as an applicant.

“I loved hearing her story and getting to know her through the application process, so seeing her arrive for orientation was so rewarding,” said Arthur. “We’re lucky to have her as a Jenkins MBA student and I know she will represent the Pack well both now and as a future alumna!”

DeSander, a member of the United States Marine Corps, nominated Arthur because of her ability to understand the unique factors that veterans (and military spouses) encounter when pursuing education post-military. As she was describing what receiving this award means to active military and veteran students, DeSander said, “To be in possession of military coin typically means that you belong to the unit. In this case, the Military & Veteran Services Challenge coin is meant to be given to show appreciation for faculty, staff, and administrators who have made an impact and Jen Arthur has made an impact on every student in the Jenkins MBA program, not just veterans.”

As the wife of a veteran, receiving this award is incredibly meaningful for Arthur. She said she was taken by surprise and felt truly honored. When asked how other faculty and staff can support active and veteran military students, Arthur said, “Recognize that active-duty military and veteran students may have different needs and timelines than other students. It’s important to accommodate and help, to the best of our abilities, those who have served and sacrificed for our country.”

“The Jenkins MBA program is extremely supportive of our military students (active, transitioning or veteran) which is exemplified by our #9 ranking for online MBA programs for veterans by US News & World Report, 2018,” said Nichole Miller, assistant dean for the Jenkins MBA Programs. “It is our goal to provide our military students with the skills they need to be successful in whatever path they choose to pursue after graduation as well as later in their career.  We have created collaborative relationships with offices across campus that provide services to our military students, and within the last few years we developed a half-day orientation program just for these students to ensure they are successful in their transition back into a full-time classroom.”

If you are an NC State student that would like to nominate a faculty or staff, please visit this form, or contact NC State Military and Veteran Services to hear more about the initiative.

This post was originally published in Poole College of Management News.