Oakland University (OU) Retains Gold Status Ranking Among Veteran-Friendly Schools in Michigan
For the second straight year, Oakland University was awarded the highest possible ranking for veteran-friendliness by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. The organization recently published its 2017-2018 list of Veteran Friendly Schools, which recognizes institutions of higher learning for dedication to student veterans and dependents utilizing their G.I. Bill and other educational benefits.
“The continued growth of MVAA’s Veteran-Friendly School Program demonstrates the dedication our state’s academic institutions have to the success of our student veteran population,” said MVAA Director James Robert Redford in a release. “Michigan is fortunate to have top quality educational institutions that maintain high standards of support and services for our growing population of veterans and their families. The program makes it easy for students to identify which schools are invested in their success, and we greatly appreciate the commitment of this year’s participants.”
Based on a variety of factors, the 70 schools on this year’s list were grouped into bronze, silver and gold levels of recognition. Oakland was one of 41 schools to earn a gold-level designation and one of 28 schools that fulfilled all seven evaluation criteria, listed below.
- Established process for identification of current student veterans
- Veteran-specific website
- Active student-operated veterans club or association
- Veteran-specific career services, resources, advising and/or outcome monitoring
- On-campus veteran’s coordinator and/or designated staff point of contact
- System to evaluate and award credit based on prior military training and experience
- Monitoring and evaluation of student veteran academic retention, transfer and graduation rates
“This is a great honor for Oakland University, and I am humbled to be able to play a part in receiving this well-deserved recognition,” said Eric Wuestenberg, coordinator of Oakland’s Office of Veterans Support Services. “Earning the MVAA’s Gold Level status for another year signifies that we continue to provide support to our students at the highest level possible, and they deserve nothing less.”
To learn more about veteran support services at Oakland, visit oakland.edu/veterans or call (248) 370-2010.