OU honors reach a decade of recognition – The Oakland Press

OU honors reach a decade of recognition  The Oakland Press

Prospective students interested in learning more about resources and support at Oakland University can visit oakland.edu/veterans, Oakland University has been selected as a gold-level Michigan Veteran-Friendly School for the 2026-27 academic year, marking the 10th consecutive year the university has earned the program’s highest designation for supporting veterans, service members and military-connected students. The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) awards gold, silver and bronze designations to educational institutions that demonstrate a commitment to serving military-connected students. Gold is the program’s highest designation, recognizing institutions that meet at least six of seven criteria focused on veteran-specific services, resources and student success.

Oakland’s military-connected community includes more than 170 student veterans, 13 National Guard members and 109 military dependents. “Veterans bring valuable experiences and perspectives to our campus community,” said Lisa Rhoades, coordinator of Oakland University’s Veterans Support Services. “We are committed to helping our military-connected students navigate the transition to college, access the resources they need and achieve their academic goals.” The 2026-27 designation comes as the MVAA’s Veteran-Friendly Schools program continues to grow statewide. A record 73 institutions and training programs were selected for the program this academic year.