WMU named one of the nation's most Military Friendly Schools
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University has been named one of the nation's most Military Friendly Schools for the sixth consecutive time by one of the leading publishers of magazines for veterans and their families.
The annual Military Friendly Schools list was announced Sept. 23 by Victory Media, which produces such publications as G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse. The military friendly designation is awarded to the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools "that are doing the most to embrace military students and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom after graduation."
The annual survey upon which the designation is based captures more than 50 leading practice used to support military students. Such practices include on-campus veterans programs, credit for service, military spouse programs and participation in a variety of military support offerings such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, and the Yellow Ribbon Program—all of which WMU takes part in.
WMU, has been on the list since Victory Media launched the annual assessment six years ago. As Michigan's school of choice for the largest number of veterans of any of Michigan's four-year colleges and universities, the University has for many years had an advocacy office specifically empowered to work on behalf of veterans and to help them transition from their active duty roles to the life of a student. New leadership for that office was announced this fall, when Joyce M. Busch, a U.S. Army veteran with more than 25 years of team management experience, took the reins of WMU's Office of Military and Veterans Affairs.
In 2012, WMU and its partner schools, Kellogg Community College and Kalamazoo Valley Community College, was named the site of Michigan's first VetSuccess on Campus program by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. That move brought an array of additional services to help ensure the success of veterans.
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