Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency names Macomb Community College as veteran-friendly school for 10th consecutive year

Macomb Community College was recognized by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) as a certified Veteran-Friendly School (VFS), awarding the college gold-level recognition for the 2025-26 school year.

“We’re here to meet veterans, service members and their families wherever they are, whether that means giving them a needed push, connecting them with resources or simply providing a sense of community,” said Kara Fields director, Veteran & Military Services, Macomb Community College. “It’s incredibly rewarding to know that the college community recognizes this commitment, and we’re proud to be among the few schools to achieve gold-level status right from the start.”

The VFS program was created by MVAA to recognize colleges and universities across Michigan that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to supporting veterans, active-duty service members and their families in utilizing their GI Bill and navigating other educational resources.  There are gold, silver and bronze level statuses assigned to institutions that offer veteran services and programs. Any academic institution or training facility in Michigan eligible to receive veteran education benefits can apply for the program. To be awarded gold-level status, an institution must meet six of MVAA’s seven judging criteria. 

The judging criteria are:

• 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

MVAA is a state government agency operating under 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 about transforming lives and communities through the power of education, enrichment and economic development. Macomb grants the largest number of associate degrees in Michigan and is the largest community college in the state. The college provides programming for youth through seniors, including early college for high school students, university transfer and career preparation programs, workforce education, continuing education and certification, and a wide range of enrichment opportunities encompassing arts, culture and lifelong learning.

Media Contact: Katlyn Holtvluwer, 586.349.8737, holtvluwerk281@macomb.edu