Near Veterans Day, Ann Arbor college honored for military student support

ANN ARBOR, MI – A day before Veterans Day, Washtenaw Community College was once again recognized for accommodating prior military students.

The Ann Arbor community college was named a “Gold-level Veteran-Friendly School” for the sixth straight year by the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency, college officials said in a Nov. 9 release.

The college earned the agency’s highest level of recognition for its veteran-specific career services and resources offered at the Wadhams Veterans Center, officials said. The center is located in the Student Center Building on campus and is a place for veterans to study, collaborate and offer support to one another, officials said.

“Our veterans have bravely defended America’s freedoms, and we are honored that they’ve chosen to be part of our WCC family,” College President Rose Bellanca said in a statement. “We are proud to serve them and are thankful for this recognition from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.”

The agency recognized 62 universities, college or trade schools for the 2023-24 school year with gold, silver and bronze recognitions for veteran-centric services and programs, officials said.

The college supports nearly 600 veterans and their families, officials said. There is an active Student Veterans of America Club on campus, as well.

The college offers comprehensive support services to nearly 600 veterans and their families, officials said. On Nov. 9, the college hosted its Veterans Day celebration with a sunrise flag-raising, a veterans breakfast and public ceremony.

Assisting veterans in their educational goals is a rewarding experience, said Carol Osborne, the college’s military and veteran coordinator.

“The transition from military to civilian culture can be difficult to navigate alone,” Osborne said in a statement. “The Wadhams Veterans Center is a great place to start with that transition. Our veterans know they can count on us to help them access the benefits they’ve earned.”

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