In G.I. Jobs' recently released list, GVSU received gold rank designation as a military-friendly school and a friendly designation as a military spouse-friendly school. The recognition marks the third veteran-friendly ranking for GVSU in recent months.
Shane Scherer, director of GVSU's Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center, said when military veterans are in the transition process to civilian life, the G.I. Jobs list of schools is the one provided to those looking into higher education.
“[The G.I. Jobs list] is particularly important because if you're transitioning out of the military, you're interested in using military benefits and you’re coming back to Michigan, you’re going to probably want to [attend] a school that’s more prevalent on the ranking system,” Scherer said.
In fall of 2025, Grand Valley received its 11th consecutive gold-level veteran-friendly school ranking from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. In December 2025, GVSU ranked first in Michigan and 11th nationally among colleges and universities in the Military Times 'Best for Vets' list.
Grand Valley moved up from a silver ranking in the 2024-25 academic year to a gold ranking for the 2026-27 academic year in the G.I. Jobs list. Scherer said among the factors included in rank placement are academic success, with 91 percent of current and recent GVSU student veterans maintaining a GPA aboove a 3.0, as well as resources for veterans.
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The GVSU Military Promise, Veterans Advance, Michigan Veteran Entrepreneurship-Lab, Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Program and the LEADS for Vets accelerated bachelor's program are among the resources and programs available to military veterans at GVSU.
“We offer a robust set of programs,” said Scherer. “We bring in a lot of external partners. We have relationships with veteran service organizations. Everything we do is holistic."
