UM-Flint named gold-level veteran-friendly school for fifth consecutive year

The University of Michigan-Flint is once again a Gold-level Veteran-Friendly School.

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency named UM-Flint a gold-level school for the 2019-20 year. UM-Flint has achieved the gold-level criteria every year since 2015 when the program was launched.

The gold ranking means the university has achieved at least six of seven program criteria:

• Established process for identification of current student veterans,
• Veteran-specific website,
• Active student veteran organization or club,
• Veteran-specific career services, resources, advising, and/or outcome monitoring,
• On-campus veterans' coordinator and/or designated staff point of contact,
• System to evaluate and award academic credit based on prior military training and experience, and
• Monitoring and evaluation of student veteran academic retention, progress, and graduation rates.

"This ranking gives UM-Flint credibility and recognition for the services and support that veterans and servicemembers seek when they are deciding upon their academic and career goals in the civilian sector," said Helen Budd, UM-Flint Student Veterans Resource Center Program Manager. "For UM-Flint, it means that the State of Michigan supports and recognizes our efforts at the highest level. Potential students have the reassurance that the university is recognized for its services and support."

UM-Flint's veteran student population includes active-duty service members, students serving in the Reserve or National Guard, veterans who have separated from military service, and family members who are using benefits based on a direct family member's military service.

Serving veterans is a key mission for UM-Flint. The Student Veterans Resource Center, which opened in 2009, offers academic support and services to veterans. Staff can help student veterans navigate their VA benefits. The center also has a lounge for student veterans to study, relax, and connect.

In March, UM-Flint announced the Valiant Veterans Scholarship, a new scholarship to recognize veterans in the greater Flint area who are pursuing their first Bachelor's degree.

"We are proud to maintain our gold-level ranking since 2015, and strive to maintain the high level of service that we provide to those who have already served our country," Budd said. "It is our turn to give them the hand-up that they have earned through their selfless service."