For the sixth consecutive year, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) named Macomb Community College as a certified Veteran-Friendly School, awarding the college gold-level recognition for the 2021-2022 school year.

The Veteran-Friendly School program recognizes institutions of higher learning for their commitment to support student veterans and their dependents in utilizing their G.I. Bill® and navigating other educational resources. The MVAA awards gold-, silver-, and bronze-level status to institutions that offer veteran-centric services and programs. Any academic institution or training facility in Michigan eligible to receive veteran education benefits can apply for the program. Macomb has the largest student veteran population among the institutions ranked.

A distinguishing element of Macomb’s gold-level program is the college’s extensive network of relationships with local, state and federal assistance programs. Macomb’s Office of Veteran and Military Services identifies each veteran’s or service member’s needs, which often transcend tuition support, and identifies additional assistance from among a collaborative network of county, VA and veteran service organizations.

“From the very beginning, we thoughtfully identify our military-affiliated population and connect them to needed services and to one another,” said Kara Fields, director, Veteran Services, Macomb Community College. “We can only do this if our students trust us to understand their individual situations and translate that understanding into action through dedicated hands-on support.”

The gold, silver and bronze rankings awarded by MVAA are based on seven criteria including:

• Established process for identification of current student veterans
• Active student-operated veterans association
• Veteran-specific career services, resources, advising and/or outcome monitoring
• On-campus veterans’ coordinator or designated 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
• Veteran-specific website

To be awarded gold-level status, an institution must meet six of MVAA’s seven criteria. Macomb meets all seven.

MVAA is a Michigan state government agency within the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. It serves as the central coordinating point for Michigan veterans, connecting those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and their families to services and benefits throughout the state.

About Macomb Community College

Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded by community colleges and is one of the largest grantors of associate degrees in Michigan. The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor-degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.

Media contact: Sean M. Patrick 586.445.7271 patricks28@macomb.edu