LCC among best at serving veterans

By Jonah Unger
Staff Writer

LCC has a variety of resources, one of which is its strong Veteran Resource Center.

The department earned LCC a “Veteran-Friendly School” designation from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) for the 2022-2023 school year. 

Andrew Cosgrove, director of Veterans and Military Affairs at LCC, said the designation is great for the college and those it serves.

“It helps us show veterans and their dependents that we are a veteran-friendly school.” Cosgrove said. “We have a great veteran services program that can assist them, not only in their education benefits, but assists them with getting them in contact with other service organizations.”

This designation marks the seventh consecutive year LCC has received the elite “Gold” status from the MVAA by meeting the following criteria:

• Identification of Military/Veteran Status
• Veteran-Specific Academic Advising/Career Services
• On-Campus Veteran's Coordinator
• Veteran-Specific Website
• Veteran's Lounge
• Fast Track Programs for Veterans
• Graduation Rate Tracking
• Academic Performance Tracking
• Persistence Rates Tracking
• Veteran-Graduation Recognition

Not only did the MVAA recognize LCC’s veteran services, but so did an independent news source for the military community labeled “Military Times.” 

“It’s nice knowing that a school and community so close to me offers great services for veterans like myself,” said Ryan Turk, an active troop for the National Guard who was recently deployed to Syria. “I could definitely see myself going to LCC in the future.”

Cosgrove served in the U.S Army. He said he believes it is important for someone in his position to have spent time in the armed forces.

“I think it’s key, it’s a brotherhood and a sisterhood,” Cosgrove said. “It doesn’t matter if you served in combat or if you did not … if you served in the military, you understand the things other veterans have gone through.” 

LCC offers many services along the lines of resources to various scholarships, military-to-college credits and a comfortable resource center exclusive for veterans. 

“(Tuition possibilities) range from them receiving a small monthly stipend for living expenses, to having their tuition and fees paid for in full,” Cosgrove said.

The Veterans Resource Center is located in the Huron Building. The entrance directly into the center is off of Shiawassee Street. Regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Additional information can be found here.