EMU Today

YPSILANTI - The Michigan Veteran Affairs (MVA) agency has recently designated Eastern Michigan University a Gold Standard Veteran-Friendly school through its Michigan Veteran-Friendly School program.

The program was created by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, and it recognizes institutions committed to supporting the needs of student veterans and departments.

 

"We are humbly, honored to have received the MVAA's top award for being a military and veteran friendly campus” said Lt. Colonel, (Ret.) Mike Wise, assistant director of Military and Veteran Services at Eastern Michigan University.

The program honors institutions that offer veteran-centric services and programs at a gold-, silver- and bronze-level status. In order to receive gold ranking, schools had to follow the following criteria:

1. Established process for identification of current student veterans.
2. Veteran-specific website.
3. Active student-operated veterans club or association.
4. Veteran-specific career services, resources, advising and/or outcome monitoring
5. On-campus veteran’s coordinator and/or designated staff point of contact.
6. System to evaluate and award credit based on prior military training and experience.
7. Monitoring and evaluation of student veteran academic retention, transfer and graduation rates.

The mission of the EMU Military and Veterans Services is to support and enhance veteran, Veteran's Affairs (VA) beneficiary and military student on-campus experiences and success.

Wise attributed the success of EMU military and veteran students to the top-down respect and support they receive on campus.

“This helps to create a perfect environment for them to adapt quickly from a military lifestyle into the campus culture” Wise said. “Veterans are genuinely honored, welcomed and respected at EMU, which directly correlates to their retention and success." 

For more information about Eastern Michigan University’s military and veteran services for veteran and active military members, contact their office at 734.487.3119, or visit the Military and Veterans services homepage.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 22,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.