The University of Michigan-Flint continues to earn national recognition for its commitment to military-connected students, securing a place in The Military Times’ 2026 “Best for Vets: Colleges” rankings for the sixth consecutive year.

The annual rankings recognize colleges and universities that provide meaningful support to veterans, active-duty service members and their families as they pursue higher education. Institutions are evaluated on student success measures, financial assistance, military-specific resources and other factors that contribute to a supportive learning environment.

At UM-Flint, much of that support comes through the Student Veterans Resource Center, which provides guidance on military education benefits, academic resources and the transition from military service to university life. The center also connects students with peers, faculty, staff and community organizations that understand their unique experiences and needs.

“Helping military-connected students succeed means looking beyond enrollment to the full student experience,” said Helen Budd, program manager for UM-Flint’s Student Veterans Resource Center. “Through the SVRC, students can build personal connections, find services that support their individual goals, and explore opportunities that help them thrive academically, personally and professionally. We want every military-connected student to feel a sense of belonging and have a clear path toward what comes next.”

The national recognition follows another milestone for UM-Flint, which recently earned its 12th consecutive Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly School designation from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. Together, the honors reflect the university’s longstanding commitment to providing military-connected students with the resources and support needed to achieve their educational goals.

Beyond its day-to-day services, the SVRC strengthens connections across campus and throughout the greater Flint community through veteran-focused programming, professional development opportunities and events honoring military service.

“Several student veterans have recently shared that they’ve secured excellent full-time employment opportunities with the state,” said Budd. “Another was recently featured in an article about a new graduate-level course on supply chain management led by a manager from Boeing. These stories underscore why the SVRC’s focus on personal connections, services and opportunities matters: helping students build on their military experience, pursue their goals and prepare for what comes next. We are looking forward to exploring new professional development opportunities in the coming months to further assist our student veterans in strengthening their skills in the civilian sector.”

For more information about services and opportunities for military-connected students, visit the UM-Flint Student Veterans Resource Center.