Aug. 5, 2024

Former, active military members and dependents receive outreach, support from Ferris State Veterans Resource Center

Ferris State University is working to ensure U.S. military veterans can transition successfully to higher education and take full advantage of support services available to them.

Ferris State’s Veterans Resource Center serves as a clearinghouse for institutional support and various scholarship pools available only to those with military backgrounds.

Sean Allen, assistant director of Veterans Services in the Office of Admissions, said his team helps student veterans negotiate the collegiate experience and gain all the benefits and resources that military service provides.

Allen has a unique understanding as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps who completed his Master of Fine Art degree at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.

While based in Grand Rapids, KCAD students can take full advantage of the resource center, located in the David Eisler Center, 805 Campus Drive, on the Big Rapids campus.

“We have identified nearly 20 students at KCAD who qualify for benefits and assistance from our office,” Allen said. “Between active military members, veterans and dependents qualified to receive help, my office has over 200 people on our campuses who are eligible to use various programs.”

Part of Allen’s pursuits through the Veterans Resource Center include raising awareness with students who have not identified themselves after their hitch in the military.

“While dozens of veterans use the Resource Center during a semester or academic year, for camaraderie or to take part in our programs, we find dependents are not as interested in making that type of activity their jam,’” Allen said. “We are actively seeking those veterans who are qualified to receive benefits that, for whatever reason, have not stepped forward and identified themselves.”

Allen said that because a student is or was in the military or was raised by a veteran, they have no stereotypical path to earn a degree at Ferris State.

“While Army National Guard students have frequently made their way into the Criminal Justice programs, I work with others studying interior design, the sciences and Ferris specialties, like professional golf management,” Allen said. “We are proud of our group’s amazing assortment of interests and abilities.”

Lile Haddad, of Rockford, is a Ferris State student in the National Guard benefitting from the Veterans Resource Center.

Haddad was a 15-year-old high school graduate with experience with Army ROTC training. After joining the Guard at 17, she sought a communications degree and an international business minor.

Haddad, who represented the office at its information table during Ferris State orientation sessions, offered outreach on financial and logistical resources for veterans and dependents, an important message.

“The paperwork that goes along with our benefits has a lot of requirements, and Sean can help us get through those and be aligned for other programs,” Haddad said. “He makes sure we understand that resources are available and that we are aware of what is possible and able to access them.”

The Veterans Resource Center serves as a clearinghouse for institutional support and various scholarship pools available only to those with military backgrounds.

“When one-time or emergent costs develop, we are glad to assist these students through the Bulldog Relief Fund,” Allen said. “There are Veterans Administration programs along with scholarships related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics they can acquire with a minimum of requirements and personal effort.”

Working with students to help them achieve success is at the heart of Allen’s work.

“We are happy to work with those who can make these claims and limit the cost of their education while making sure that those who don’t know about the resources are made aware and get the direction they require,” he said.

Haddad said she is grateful to have a role.

“We are paid to assist veterans as they seek access to benefits, which can also apply to students who are children or grandchildren of those who are qualified through their military service,” Haddad said.

Ferris State has achieved Gold-level status as a veteran-friendly school, as designated by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. Since the Veteran Friendly Schools program began in 2015-16, Ferris State has received the Gold Recognition each year, most recently in 2023.