SVSU was recognized as a military-friendly university by VIQTORY for the 2019-20 school year.
This is the eighth year SVSU has received such recognition from VIQTORY, an organization dedicated to connecting veterans with opportunities in their communities.
Universities are chosen for the military-friendly distinction through numerous public surveys.
Such surveys look at areas like academic policies, campus culture, admissions and military student support and retention.
SVSU exceeds the national standard in each category.
The Military Affairs office helps military students throughout their college career, from providing aid during the admissions process, hosting specialized workshops and support groups and offering study space.
“We are the primary contact for military-connected students,” said Bethany Alford, the director of Military Student Affairs. “We can assist from the point of admission all the way through to graduation.”
For criminal justice junior Haley Tacey, Military Student Affairs helped her adjust to college life after serving.
“SVSU helped me transition from the military to being in college by allowing me to be a part of an office full of other veterans and making me feel welcome,” Tacey said.
Alford also noted that making a university military friendly is so much more than what it seems on the surface.
“It means not just talking the talk in terms of being military friendly, but actually walking the walk,” Alford said. “It means having policies in place that benefit student veterans and their families. It means taking time to understand and value the unique experience, education and training that this group of students brings to campus.”
Alford was proud to see how her office’s work helps so many students get the educational experience they deserve.
“We help keep SVSU a top choice for military students through targeted programming, exceptional student veteran support, readily available resources and strong connections to the community for potential referrals,” Alford said. “We take time to understand how we can make a student veteran experience the best one possible.”
Tacey agreed that the Military Affairs office is crucial to creating a welcoming environment for military students.
“We strive every day to accomplish that same thing with every veteran or military-affiliated student that comes into the office,” she said.
SVSU has also been named “Best for Vets” by Military Times and “Veteran Friendly – Gold Status” by Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency.
Reporting by Hannah Beach, A&E Editor
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