Oakland deemed a "Military Friendly School" for fourth year running

For the fourth year in a row, Oakland University has been named a “Military Friendly School” by G.I. Jobs magazine, a distinction reserved for the top 15 percent of all colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide. 

Through the Office of Veterans Support Services, the university serves veterans and their dependents year-around and can direct students to many resources, including the registrar’s office, financial aid office, Graham Counseling Center and the Pontiac Vet Center.

"The main focus of our office is to help military members and their dependents attain their educational benefits,” said Bradley Reichelt, Oakland’s veteran liaison. “We also assist in easing the transition from the military to college by working with the university’s Student Veterans of America chapter to create events and programs that will help integrate our veteran population into college life.”

The work of the entire support team has helped establish OU as a leader in providing exceptional services to veterans and their families. OU veterans have access to priority registration and are provided with red, white and blue honor cords at graduation. Recently, the university reinstituted evaluation of veterans’ transcripts based on American Council on Education guidelines, a process that provides transfer credit recommendations to military personnel. Service members can receive credit for courses taken as part of military training. 

For the fall 2012 semester, a total of 247 veterans, including 57 dependents, were enrolled in classes, with more than 200 certified to receive Veterans Administration benefits.

In addition, OU is a charter member of the Michigan Educators Veterans Support Consortium and participates in numerous veterans support programs across the state and nation. In 2011, Oakland’s Veteran Transfer Student Services program was recognized with the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrar and Admissions Officers Outstanding Transfer Program Award.

G.I. Jobs provides a resource for the eight million military members and veterans seeking a new school or job. General topics include tips to find a school, build a successful resume, career and how to prepare for a recruiter interview. The military friendly school list was compiled through extensive research and a survey of more than 12,000 schools nationwide.

For more information on services for veterans or their dependents, contact veteran@oakland.edu, visit the veterans support services website or call (248) 370-2010.