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State of Michigan recognizes colleges for supporting veterans

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency has recognized 35 universities, colleges or trade schools as both Veteran-Friendly Schools (VFS) and Michigan Veteran Connectors (MVC), a dual certification that reflects the institutions’ dedication to support military veterans.

This is the first group of higher education institutions to be dual certified as part of a commitment by the MVAA and the Whitmer administration to support Michigan veterans in their education, career and other facets of life.

“We applaud the schools on this list for recognizing the various needs of our veterans and stepping up to directly meet those needs,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Whether that means hiring an on-campus veteran coordinator or providing mental health resources, these Michigan institutions are providing necessary benefits and services that are helping our veterans thrive.”

As a Veteran-Friendly School (VFS), an institution shows its commitment to student veterans through established criteria such as having a veteran-specific website, student veteran clubs and a system to evaluate and award academic credit based on military experience.

Through the Michigan Veteran Connector (MVC) program, employees of a school, business or organization work with their veterans to get them connected to all available resources – from health care to job training to suicide prevention resources. The MVC program is part of the national Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and their Families.

Zaneta Adams is director of the MVAA and chair of the Michigan Governor’s Challenge team.

“Based on our work, we know that the earlier we identify and connect our veterans to services and resources, the sooner we can lower the risk for self-harming behaviors including suicide,” Adams said. “A veteran who gets support with education, employment, housing and other essential needs is a veteran who is more likely to flourish.”

The institutions dual-certified in both the VFS and MVC programs are:

• Baker College Owosso
• Central Michigan University
• Cooley Law School (Western Michigan University)
• Davenport University
• Delta College
• Detroit School for Digital Technology
• Ferris State University
• Glen Oaks Community College
• Gogebic Community College
• Grand Valley State University
• Great Lakes Boat Building School
• Jackson College
• Kalamazoo Valley Community College
• Kettering University
• Lansing Community College
• Macomb Community College
• Madonna University
• MIAT College of Technology
• Michigan State University
• Monroe Community College
• Mott Community College
• Northern Michigan University
• Oakland Community College Auburn Hills
• Olivet College
• Saginaw Valley State University
• Southwestern Michigan College
• St. Clair County Community College
• University of Detroit Mercy
• University of Michigan Ann Arbor
• University of Michigan Dearborn
• University of Michigan Flint
• Walsh College
• Washtenaw Community College
• Wayne State University
• Western Michigan University

Other education programs that reflect Michigan’s dedication to veteran families and service members include the Children of Veterans Tuition Grant, which provides undergraduate assistance to children of veterans who are deceased or disabled, and the Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program, which supports National Guard members attending any college, university, vocational school, technical school or trade school in Michigan.