For military student Makenzie Doyle, the transition from deployment to college came with challenges, but also strong support from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). Her experience reflects the commitment that earned EKU national recognition as the No. 1 large public university in the 2026-27 Military Friendly® Schools rankings.
“Military-affiliated students represent about 12% of EKU’s student body, making it the largest affinity group on campus,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “We are here to provide them with a clear path forward and ensure they have the resources and support needed to succeed academically and beyond.”
A criminal justice major from Owensboro, Kentucky, Doyle is entering her junior year while serving in the Army National Guard. Her path to EKU began years before her military service.
“I chose EKU back when I was in eighth grade,” said Doyle. “We did a project in one of my classes about planning our futures, and the minute I saw how good EKU’s criminal justice program was, I was sold.”
Doyle joined the National Guard at 17 years old and later spent nine months deployed in Iraq. After returning to the United States and starting classes, balancing coursework, military responsibilities, a job, family, friends and her personal life required strong time management skills. Throughout her time at EKU, Doyle said the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (OMVA) has played a key role in helping her navigate both college and military responsibilities.
“OMVA was incredibly helpful to me both pre- and post-deployment and made sure I was settling back into school properly, which I really appreciate since everything was difficult enough at the time,” said Doyle.
Her military training has also supported her academic progress, with credits from basic training transferring toward her degree and helping her advance more quickly.
EKU serves more than 1,900 veterans, active-duty service members, Reserve and National Guard members, and military spouses and children, as of fall 2025. The university offers a range of programs and resources to support military-connected students, including scholarship opportunities, priority registration, specialized advising and assistance navigating VA benefits through OMVA. The Veterans Education and Transition Support (VETS) Center provides a dedicated campus space for veterans and service members, while EKU also awards academic credit for military training and offers reduced tuition for active-duty service members and their spouses.
By: Jake Hall
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