GVSU announces appointment of new Military and Veteran Resource Manager - Jill Wolfe

Jill Wolfe is Grand Valley State University's first-ever full-time, Military and Veteran Resource Manager. 

Jill is a "Laker for a Lifetime" who returned to Grand Valley after serving in the U.S. Army to complete her degree in Communications. Over the past several years, Jill has been teaching advertising and public relations courses in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, mentoring and facilitating with Seidman College's Michigan Veterans Entrepreneur Lab (MVE-Lab), and a founding executive committee member serving as VP for Inclusion with GVSU's Veterans Alumni Association.

Ms. Wolfe also assisted women veterans through her volunteer involvement and mentorship with "WINC - For All Women Veterans." WINC is based in Muskegon and was founded by Zaneta Adams who now serves as the Director of the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency. In 2019, Jill was the national runner-up for the Military Sisterhood Initiative's Excellence in Exemplary Achievement Award given to female veterans who honor, empower, encourage, and restore women of the military.

Jill’s experience in the corporate world includes past roles at Priority Health and Haworth. Additionally, Jill is also an entrepreneur in her own right, having developed and launched a successful scavenger hunt business with clients that included Nike, Pfizer, and Home Depot. She is also a freelance writer.

We extend a warm Laker welcome to Jill in her leadership role with the Grand Valley State University's Veterans Network!

GVSU’s Veterans Network is committed to the continued success of our students.  Our Veterans Network provides support for veterans, active service members and dependents in transitioning, successfully progressing to degree completion, and on to rewarding post-military careers.

We are pleased to announce that in addition to receiving Gold Status from Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency along with Military/Veteran Friendly recognition from U.S. News and World Report, Military Advanced Education, and Viqtory Media (publisher of GIJOBS.COM), College Factual rated Grand Valley State University as a Top 5 Veteran-Friendly in Michigan and ranked #218 out of 1,820 nationally for veteran friendliness of all colleges and universities reviewed by College Factual. GVSU is in the top 15 percent of all schools in the nation in the Best for Vets category. This ranking was meant to highlight colleges and universities who are working hard to provide quality educational outcomes to veterans, active duty military students and their families. According to College Factual, " Some of the quality factors included in the rankings are veteran affordability, veteran support services and resources available, and overall quality metrics important to any student – and especially metrics important to non-traditional students."

Veterans Network Goals:

• Assist with the transition from military to student roles, including participation in the Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) program.
• Provide assistance for the GI Bill and other VA benefits. 
• Provide support through programs, activities, and initiatives that connect veterans with one another.
• Provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for veterans, including a Student Veterans' Lounge in Kirkhof Center.
• Assist with preparation for post-military employment or graduate studies. 
• Provide pathways to inform and share information regarding on- and off-campus opportunities for veterans.
• Create opportunities for peer interaction.
• Provide and share useful information on Veterans Network website and Facebook page.
• Our Criminal Justice department offers an accelerated Military Police Basic Training Program (MPBTP) for eligible Military Police with a minimum of 2080 hours in a specified law enforcement occupational specialty.
• The Center for Adult and Continuing Studies offers accelerated bachelor's degree in Leadership.

IMPORTANT: COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUNDS

Recognizing the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 related to income and expenses, if you have an emergency financial need that is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Grand Valley's Office of Financial Aid asks you to visit the section on Special Circumstance & Financial Hardship Requests resources at https://www.gvsu.edu/financialaid/financial-hardship-requests-226.htm.  

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Emergency Assistance Form and the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund

The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund exists to support Michigan veterans with financial hardships, including COVID-19 related issues for qualified veterans.  

To apply for emergency funds from the MVTF, contact the MVTF county committee serving the county where you reside or fill out and submit an Emergency Assistance Form or call 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838).

Join GVSU's Student Veteran Facebook pages:

Grand Valley Veterans Network Group at 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/gvsustudentveteransorganization

"LAKER VETS" (Student Veterans of America at GVSU) at

https://www.facebook.com/LakerVets

Questions

If you have any questions or concerns please contact: 

Steven Lipnicki

Assistant Dean of Students

616-331-7188 

lipnicks@gvsu.edu