Lake Michigan College was one of 65 colleges and universities in the state of Michigan that recently earned bronze-, silver- or gold-level status based on their commitment to providing on-campus, veteran-centric services to student veterans.

The Veteran-Friendly School program, created by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, recognizes institutions of higher learning for their dedication to student veterans and dependents utilizing their GI Bill and other educational benefits. This is the program’s second year. Last year 57 schools were ranked.

LMC was one of 44 schools receiving the highest ranking of “gold” for 2016.

Dough Schaffer, LMC’s vice president of student services, said providing high-level service to community members who have served in the armed forces is a high priority.

“We offer veteran-specific career services, a full-time veteran specialist, a veterans’ lounge and study space and prior learning credit for military education,” he said. “These tools help our students to translate their military experience into success in their education and future careers.”

In the fall of 2015, 153 veterans were enrolled at LMC, according to statistics provided by the college’s marketing department.

Liberty Hall, LMC’s veterans lounge and study space, features computers, a printer, a television, seating, a microwave and a refrigerator.

LMC also offers veteran-specific advising and career services and a full-time veteran specialist to assist servicemen and servicewomen.

In addition, LMC offers scholarships to veterans and their dependents through the Veterans Education Assistance Fund.

Veterans also receive priority class registration.

According to the MVAA, some of the criteria schools were ranked on included having an active student-operated veterans club or association; veteran-specific career services or advising; on-campus veteran’s coordinator and awarding credit based on prior military training and experience.

The 2016-17 rankings are as follows:

GOLD

Aquinas College

Baker College

Central Michigan University

Davenport University

Delta College

Detroit Training Center

Eastern Michigan University

Ferris State University

Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Valley State University

Henry Ford College

Jackson College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Kirtland Community College

Lake Michigan College

Lansing Community College

Macomb Community College

MIAT College of Technology

Michigan State University

Michigan Tech University

Mid Michigan Community College

Montcalm Community College

Mott Community College

Muskegon Community College

North Central Michigan College

Northern Michigan University

Northwestern Michigan College

Northwood University

Oakland Community College

Oakland University

Olivet College

Saginaw Valley State University

Schoolcraft College

Siena Heights University

Spring Arbor University

University of Detroit Mercy

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

University of Michigan-Dearborn

University of Michigan-Flint

Walsh College

Washtenaw Community College

Wayne State University

Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University – Thomas M. Cooley Law School

 

SILVER

Adrian College

Bay de Noc Community College

Calvin College

Compass College of Cinematic Arts

Concordia University – Ann Arbor

Focus HOPE

Glen Oaks Community College

Global Information Technology

Gogebic Community College

Grace Bible College

Greater Michigan Construction Academy

Lake Superior State University

Merrill Institute

Monroe County Community College

St. Clair County Community College

Suburban Truck Driver Training School

West Shore Community College

 

BRONZE

Alma College

Cleary College

Lawrence Technological University

Marygrove College