UM-Flint earns Gold-level veteran-friendly school status for 10th consecutive year

Excitement and camaraderie filled the air during the Student Veterans Resource Center's open house, Sept. 26, and for good reason. Student veterans, administrators and supporters celebrated the university's recognition from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency as a gold-level veteran-friendly school for the 10th consecutive year.

In order to receive this award, the university had to achieve at least six of seven criteria:

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

"I think one of the biggest challenges for veterans transitioning to college is how the military is structured. You're used to a certain way of life where things are provided to you, and you're told where to go and what to do," said Christopher Mayes, a senior wildlife biology major from Auburn Hills. "Once you separate from that life, It's like an open book. There's a ton of unknowns, and without connections it can be a very daunting transition."

Mayes, who was named UM-Flint's 2022 student veteran of the year, works with the university's Peer Advisors for Veterans Education program, also known as PAVE. 

PAVE is a peer support program that connects incoming student veterans with those already on campus to help newcomers navigate college life and ease the transition from the military to academia by improving their sense of connectedness and belonging. Since its inception in 2022, PAVE has reached out to 184 student veterans about the program. The university has 169 undergraduate veterans enrolled this fall.

"The veteran population is very averse to asking for help and this is something that we've known for many years," said Helen Budd, SVA program manager. "Once they get out and away from the rigors of military life, having someone who's already been in those boots is really essential to help them feel like they belong."

The challenges shared by many student veterans on campus highlight just how important it is to have resources and outreach programs to help them with the transition. The university has achieved an 80% retention rate with its student veterans, and programs like PAVE and the Student Veterans Association, have an eye on taking that figure higher.  

The goal of the SVA is to bring student veterans closer together while providing them with resources to help them excel in academics as well as a physical space to plan social activities with others. During the Sept. 26 open house, the SVA council discussed a variety of initiatives to bring in new members, such as a Discord group and a Canvas page to help keep student veterans stay up-to-date on social and academic opportunities. In addition to this, a training program is in development for faculty and staff to help them better understand how they can support their veteran and dependent students, as well as social events that aim to connect student veterans to others within the wider University of Michigan community.

"We have an opportunity to make a tremendous impact for our student veterans and their transition to college, while also providing ongoing support throughout their journey here," said Christopher Giordano, UM-Flint's vice chancellor for student affairs. "These programs really create a sense of connection and a level of comfort that will help our veteran students be a little bit more open to the guidance and support that we can provide them, and that's one of the most unique parts about them."

For additional information about the SVRC and the SVA, visit its webpage.