Oakland University was recently honored as a 2024-25 Education Innovator by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, receiving three Innovation Awards for its collaborative, forward-thinking efforts to support student veterans. 

The awards recognize academic institutions or staff who develop a new process, method, technology or innovative service that will radically improve or transform on-campus experiences for military-connected students.

OU received an Innovation Award for collaborating with Lear Corporation to launch an internship and mentorship program specifically designed for student veterans. The initiative aims to ease the transition from military service to academic life and civilian careers by providing personalized guidance, hands-on experience and professional mentorship. The first cohort, launching in June 2025 with three student participants, marks a significant step toward establishing sustainable, veteran-focused career pipelines. 

Oakland was also recognized for implementing a streamlined electronic veteran certification process, cutting in half the time it takes to apply for certification of education benefits and integrating a secure, university-authenticated sign-in process. The result is a more efficient, user-friendly system that minimizes administrative follow-ups and provides a faster, smoother benefits experience for student veterans. 

The third award was for a partnership with the American Legion to bring a veteran service officer (VSO) directly to OU’s campus, a pioneering initiative that redefines how student veterans access critical benefits. In just five months, this collaboration successfully connected 32 student veterans with the resources they earned, removing barriers, streamlining support and fostering a more empowered veteran community.

“These awards exemplify the commitment we have to our student veterans, National Guard members, reservists and military dependents to facilitate a smooth process for them to use their education benefits and increase their access to other service-connected benefits,” said Lisa Rhoades, coordinator of Veteran Support Services. “Our employee veterans also benefit from having a VSO on campus to assist them with applying for any service-connected benefits, including those outlined in the PACT Act.”    

To meet with the VSO, come to Veterans Support Services at 112 Vandenberg Hall, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m.-3:30p.m., the third Wednesday of each month, May 21, June 18, July 16 or August 20, 2025. No appointment required. 

Connect with other veterans on campus by joining the Student Veterans of OU student organization through Grizz Orgs. To learn more about OU Veterans Support Services, visit oakland.edu/veterans, call (248) 370-2010 or email vss@oakland.edu.