POTSDAM -- The State University of New York at Potsdam was recently named in the 2013 Guide to Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities by Military Advanced Education magazine. This is the second time that SUNY Potsdam has appeared in the guide.

"SUNY Potsdam is proud to serve those who serve our country with such distinction -- the soldiers, veterans and their families who keep us safe and enrich our communities. It is an honor for the college to be recognized once again for its hard work to enhance the educational experience for our growing population of military students and their families," said President Dr. John F. Schwaller.

After forming a college-wide Veteran and Military Task Force three years ago, SUNY Potsdam has worked to offer a variety of services and implement procedures to meet the specific needs of military members and their families.

SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton recently jointly hired Patrick Massaro for the newly created position of shared veterans and military services coordinator. A graduate of both institutions and a Captain in the U.S. Marine Reserves, Massaro serves students on both campuses.

The sixth annual guide included SUNY Potsdam among only 20 percent of institutions of higher education nationwide to be selected. The designation recognizes colleges, universities and trade schools throughout the United States that serve America's military service members, veterans and their families as students.

More than 150 active-duty service members, veterans and their families members are currently enrolled as SUNY Potsdam students, either on the Potsdam main campus or through the College's Extension Center in Watertown, located on the campus of Jefferson Community College.

Soldiers, veterans and their families are enrolled in a number of undergraduate and graduate programs at SUNY Potsdam, with one of the more popular majors being teacher education. Programs offered in Watertown that particularly benefit military members and their families include a business administration bachelor's degree program and a graduate program in organizational leadership.

For more information, please contact the SUNY Potsdam Extended Education Office at (800) 458-1142 (ext. 2) or 267-2166, or e-mail exted@potsdam.edu.

Additional information is also available on SUNY Potsdam's Extended Education website, at www.potsdam.edu/academics/ExtEd.