The Citadel recognized as Top 10 Military Friendly employer for 2026

The connections between The Citadel and veterans are strong, and they are a large reason why The Citadel has been recognized as the No. 9 Military Friendly Employer among other government and nonprofit organizations.

Veterans are a key component of The Citadel — much of the college’s leadership, as well as many on the faculty and staff, have served in the different branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Many of the employees who guide and educate cadets are also retired from the military, directly transferring their knowledge and experience to the next generation of military leaders.

“Being consistently recognized as a Top Ten Military Friendly Employer is a distinction that highlights our culture of leadership and service at The Citadel,” said Leah Schonfeld, Chief Human Resources Officer for The Citadel. “Our veterans make our campus better, and we are proud to be a workplace where veterans can thrive and feel at home alongside other retired service members.”

The Citadel actively recruits and engages all military members, veterans and their families; for more information on career opportunities, current openings are listed at this link.

“Earning the Military Friendly® designation is more than a badge; it’s a reflection of deep-rooted values and strategic foresight,” said Kayla Lopez, vice president of memberships for Military Friendly. “These organizations don’t just open doors for veterans, spouses and service members; they build pathways for lasting impact. Their commitment isn’t performative; it’s transformative. It’s proof that honoring military talent is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.”

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® Employers designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 1,200 companies participated in the Military Friendly survey.

The Citadel will be showcased in the 2026 Military Friendly ® Employers Guide in the Winter issue of G.I. Jobs ® magazine and on MilitaryFriendly.com.

About Military Friendly

Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 2,900 organizations compete annually for Military Friendly® designation annually. Military Friendly®, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Military Friendly® is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly® lists and methodology can be found at this link.