Flint, Michigan – Getting into college is one step. Finding a place to belong, making sense of military education benefits and preparing for a civilian career are others. At the University of Michigan-Flint, support across that journey has helped bring another year of national recognition.
For the sixth consecutive year, UM-Flint has earned a place in The Military Times’ 2026 “Best for Vets: Colleges” rankings, which recognize institutions serving veterans, active-duty service members and their families.
The annual rankings examine how colleges support military-connected students throughout their education. Evaluations consider student success, financial assistance, military-specific resources and other factors that help create a supportive learning environment. The recognition looks beyond admission to the services available as students work toward their goals.
At UM-Flint, the Student Veterans Resource Center provides much of that help. Students can turn to the center for guidance on military education benefits, academic resources and the adjustment from military service to university life.
It also helps them connect with people who understand their experiences, including fellow students, faculty, staff and community organizations.
“Helping military-connected students succeed means looking beyond enrollment to the full student experience,” said Helen Budd, program manager for UM-Flint’s Student Veterans Resource Center.
“Through the SVRC, students can build personal connections, find services that support their individual goals, and explore opportunities that help them thrive academically, personally and professionally. We want every military-connected student to feel a sense of belonging and have a clear path toward what comes next.”
The national ranking follows another repeat honor closer to home. UM-Flint recently received its 12th consecutive Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly School designation from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. Together, the two distinctions recognize a sustained commitment to helping military-connected students reach their educational goals.
That work extends beyond questions about benefits or coursework. The resource center offers veteran-focused programming, professional development opportunities and events honoring military service. Those activities build connections both on campus and across the greater Flint community, giving students additional ways to meet others and explore what comes after college.
Budd pointed to recent student experiences as examples of why those connections matter. Several student veterans, she said, have reported securing full-time employment opportunities with the state. Another appeared in a university article about a new graduate-level supply chain management course led by a manager from Boeing.
Those examples connect the center’s daily work with students’ longer-term plans: building on military experience, pursuing academic interests and preparing for employment in the civilian sector.
“We are looking forward to exploring new professional development opportunities in the coming months to further assist our student veterans in strengthening their skills in the civilian sector,” Budd said.
Military-connected students and their families can learn more about available guidance, services and opportunities through the UM-Flint Student Veterans Resource Center.