HFC is the first community college in Michigan named Veteran-Friendly Employer

HFC is the first community college in the state of Michigan to be recognized by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency as a Veteran-Friendly Employer. The College was awarded bronze-level status.

“This is a proud moment for our College as the first community college in Michigan to receive such an honor,” said HFC Interim President John Satkowski. “We are proud of the men and women who have served – and continue to serve – their country and who choose to work at HFC and pursue their education here. We also have a thriving Student Veterans Association on campus that provides our student veterans with the assistance they need. After all our veterans and their families have sacrificed, being veteran-friendly is one way of thanking them.”

What is a Veteran-Friendly Employer?

Bronze-level status for a Veteran-Friendly Employer recognizes a commitment to military veteran recruitment, training, and retention practices. It is also intended to increase the employment of veterans and their spouses. Examples include actively recruiting veterans for employment, and a commitment to hire a specific number of veterans.

As a bronze-level employer, HFC joins the ranks of many well-known companies, including Aflac, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the City of Lansing, Comcast, Comerica Bank, Compuware, the Detroit Zoological Society, Henry Ford Health System, Meritor, Inc., Walgreens, among others.

Silver and gold-level status may also be earned in the future. “To achieve silver and gold-level status, an organization needs to prove its commitment to veterans and to expand recruiting and training geared toward veterans and their spouses,” said Robert James, Associate Dean, HFC School of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development.

Bronze-level status is a great start, according to James, a veteran himself, and HFC’s SVA advisor. “I was very proud to be part of this process. It was exciting to learn that HFC was the first community college in the state to have this designation. This is an awesome commitment to our veterans. I challenge other colleges and universities in the state to do the same.”

Veteran-Friendly Employer and Veteran-Friendly School

In addition to being a Veteran-Friendly Employer, HFC is a gold-level Veteran-Friendly School, an award affirmed by the MVAA in October 2017. For several consecutive years, HFC has been a Veteran-Friendly School. This program, created by the MVAA in 2015, recognizes educational institutions for their dedication to student veterans, active-duty personnel, and their dependents who are utilizing their G.I. Bill and other educational benefits.

HFC is one of 65 educational institutions in Michigan to be ranked as a Veteran-Friendly School. Of those 65, HFC is one of 44 to earn gold-level status. Gold-level status is the highest status an educational institution can earn based on its commitment to providing on-campus, veteran-centered services.

Student veterans or dependents with questions about G.I. Bill or other benefits should call 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) or visit MichiganVeterans.com.

For further information about veterans services at HFC, contact Gail Bock at 313-845-9688 or veterans@hfcc.edu.