EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University has been named one of the most military and veteran friendly universities in the country, according to annual rankings released this winter.

EMU ranked third among large public universities in the Military Friendly Schools list from Victory Media. Now in its 16th year, the Military Friendly® Schools list provides a comprehensive guide for veterans and their families, using data sources from federal agencies, veteran students and survey information from participating organizations.

“This year's ranking is a collective effort from the entire administration, faculty and staff who continue to give great support to our student veterans and families,” said Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.) Mike Wise, Assistant Director of Military and Veteran Services at Eastern.

“EMU’s pledge to military and veteran students is evidenced through its commitment to student veteran support, its establishment of a veteran support center and a 66-year commitment to its Army ROTC program.”

EMU established its veteran support center in 2014 and later named it in honor of U.S. Army (Retired) Lt. Colonel Charles S. Kettles, a Medal of Honor winner, EMU alum, and Ypsilanti resident. 

In 2015, the center expanded its services for veterans after EMU was awarded the TRIO-Veteran Student Support Services grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.) Wayne Doyle directs the grant, the staff of which is comprised of one part-time program assistant and seven peer advisors. 

EMU student veterans appreciate the University focus and effort on behalf of veterans.

“Everyone (at EMU) goes over the top to ensure success in college and a smooth transition into a career,” said student veteran Anthony Terry.

Student veteran Kara Lucker said, “I love this place. I don’t think I would have had much success in transitioning back from the military to civilian life without the help of everyone at the center.”

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey completed by the school. More than 1,300 schools participated in the 2017-2018 survey.

The 2017-2018 Military Friendly® Schools list was published in G.I. Jobs magazine, and can be found at the military friendly list website.  

The ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, and loan repayment.

For more information on EMU’s Military and Veteran Services, visit the Lt. Col. Charles S. Kettles Military and Veteran Services Resource Center, which is located in 202 Pierce Hall or visit the Military and Veteran Services website.  

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 20,000 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.