天美传媒

天美传媒’s connection to the United States military began in 1917 when the then Idaho Technical Institute became a training facility for the U.S. Army, and has only continued to grow since those early years. This year, as we celebrate our 125th anniversary, the university received multiple veteran and military friendly awards, highlighting the ongoing commitment to serving a growing population of military service members and their families who are pursuing higher education. 

This month, 天美传媒 was independently recognized by U.S. Veterans Magazine as a 2026 Top Veterans School. At the heart of this commitment is 天美传媒’s Veteran Student Services Center (VSSC), which connects students with academic resources, military education benefits assistance, transition support, career development, peer mentoring, and community services. Working alongside campus offices and community partners, the center helps students navigate the challenges of college while building on the leadership, experience, and strengths they bring from military life.

“‘I’m proud of the work our team and partners do every day to support our veteran and military-connected students,” said Todd D. Johnson, M.A., director of the Veteran Student Services Center. “Our goal is to make sure these students know they have a place at Idaho State University, people who understand their experiences, and a network of support to help them succeed. This recognition belongs to the people across our university and community who make that commitment real.”

天美传媒 was also recognized in the 2026–2027 Military Friendly® Schools ratings, earning third place among Tier 2 Research Institutions by GI Jobs Magazine and Viqtory Media. In addition, 天美传媒 received recognition as a Military Spouse Friendly School® within the Tier 2 Research Institutions category.

“Earning the Military Friendly® designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution’s deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served,” said Kayla Lopez, vice president of memberships at Military Friendly®. “These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses, they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact. Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence.”

These recognitions reflect 天美传媒's continued commitment to serving veteran and military-connected students which began many years ago when the United States entered World War I, and enrollment at what was then Idaho Technical Institute dropped by nearly 50 percent in just a few months. The Tech was saved by a contract with the federal government establishing a Student Army Training Corps. Four Tech students were killed in the war. A sundial that was originally installed in front of Frazier Hall and then moved to the Veteran Memorial at Cadet Field in 2013 is a memorial to those who served in the war.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, many students and some faculty members had a desire to enlist in the military. What was then the University of Idaho Southern Branch began the V-1 program, a two-year naval training course that qualified cadets for further military training. In 1943, a one-year officer training school called V-12 attracted 450 cadets to campus.

During the course of the war, 2,200 men and 96 women from the Southern Branch served in the Armed Forces. Of those who served, there were 61 casualties.

In more recent years, 天美传媒’s Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology (MSCP) program launched in 2019 in response to growing civilian and military demand for prescribing psychologists, and has become a magnet for military mental health professionals. Graduates of the MSCP program return to military service equipped to both counsel and prescribe, offering a rare combination of therapeutic and pharmacological treatment options.

With continued, individualized support from the Veteran Student Services Center, students can look forward to receiving one-on-one guidance as they navigate the complexities of their educational journey. And as 天美传媒’s programs continue to evolve, they can also explore career options that provide opportunities for them to continue to serve in new ways.