Concordia University Ann Arbor has been named a Gold Level 'Veteran-Friendly School' by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
Concordia University Ann Arbor has long been known as a school that appreciates military personnel, including active duty, reserves, and veterans. In recent years, CUAA has taken extra steps to make sure that appreciation is backed by solid, tangible support.
Last year, CUAA was awarded Silver-level status as “Veteran-Friendly School” by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. In 2021, Concordia Ann Arbor climbed to Gold Level status.
“The Michigan Veteran-Friendly Schools program evaluates institutions of higher learning based on seven criteria,” explained Bryant Lepic, CUAA’s Veteran Outreach Coordinator. “To reach Gold status, you must meet at least six of those seven. In 2021, CUAA completed all seven measures.”
The criteria include:
- Established process for identification of current student veterans
- Veteran-specific website
- Active student veteran organization or club
- Veteran-specific career services, resources, advising, and/or outcome monitoring
- On-campus veterans’ coordinator and/or designated staff point of contact
- System to evaluate and award academic credit based on prior military training and experience
- Monitoring and evaluation of student veteran academic retention, progress, and graduation rates
Introducing ‘The Bunker’
“The driving force behind progressing from Silver level last year to Gold level this year was creating our student veteran lounge, The Bunker,” Lepic said. “The Bunker provides a space for student veterans to relax and connect with others who have a shared experience. These personal connections promote relationship-building to exchange ideas and support each other in mind, body, and spirit so we can, in turn, explore ways to serve our local and veteran communities better.”
Currently, Concordia University Ann Arbor has 16 military veterans enrolled as students. That’s a number the school would love to see increase in the future. Because it’s the right thing to do.
“Going the extra mile to support our country’s veterans and help them succeed academically doesn’t only benefit the individuals,” Lepic added. “It benefits our school. It benefits our communities. And it benefits our country. We’re proud to be known as a school that does this well, and we will continue to strive to become even better at serving those who have served all of us.”
To learn more about how CUAA supports military veteran students, visit cuaa.edu.
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