FAYETTEVILLE – When the world’s biggest military base is just a mile away, it’s bound to play a role at a local university.

And Fayetteville State University continues to build its relationship with Fort Bragg and the military, Chancellor James Anderson says in the accompanying video.

Almost 25 percent of FSU’s students are veterans, active-duty military or their families, Anderson says.  Some take classes on campus.  Some take classes online.  Many simply want a certificate – not necessarily a four-year degree – in cyber security.

Fayetteville State has a Center for Defense and Homeland Security that focuses on cyber security, emergency management and national security – one of only a few such university centers in the country, Anderson says.  It also has an office at Fort Bragg to recruit students.

The growing relationship has helped build Fayetteville State’s ROTC program, Anderson says, and the university is beginning to develop its relationship with the Joint Special Operations Command at Bragg that commands elite special forces units on missions around the world.