CLARKSVILLE, TN – Austin Peay State University has announced a major hiring initiative that recognizes military service and ranks as equivalent to college degrees for most staff positions, becoming the state’s first higher education institution to offer this pathway to veterans.
The decision addresses a critical need in the Clarksville region, since thousands of soldiers stationed at Fort Campbell transition into civilian life each year. Veterans whose service duties align with a university job posting can now qualify based on their military pay grades, with equivalencies ranging from E-4 (associate degree) to O-7 or WO-5 (doctorate).
“Nearly 40% of Fort Campbell’s soldiers choose to call Clarksville home after their time in service, and we have a responsibility to ensure these veterans can build meaningful careers here,” said retired Maj. Gen. Walt Lord, Austin Peay’s vice president for Military and Veterans Affairs. “This initiative opens new doors for them and recognizes that military leadership experience is just as valuable as traditional academic credentials for many positions.”…