First veteran service officer in the state to be positioned at a Michigan university

LANSING, Mich. - This week, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) in partnership with the University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn) announced the placement of the first veterans service officer (VSO) housed on a university campus supporting military veterans and their families. MVAA Director Brian L. Love made the announcement Tuesday from the UM-Dearborn campus accompanied by, UM-Dearborn Dean of Students Amy Finley; Wayne County Commissioner Chair Alisha Bell; Deputy Wayne County Executive Assad I. Turfe; and Director of Veteran and Military Services at Macomb Community College Kara Fields.

A VSO is a subject matter expert trained and accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that guide veterans and their families through the process of applying for VA benefits. These specially trained professionals also provide veterans and their families with additional information for available federal, state and local resources.

"Michigan is home to more than 516,000 veterans and nearly 33% call southeast Michigan home," said MVAA Director Brian L. Love. "The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is proud to have the first veteran service officer in the state located on a university campus in southeast Michigan and look forward to a successful partnership with UM-Dearborn. Any veteran that wants to connect to a VSO or needs support, should contact 1-800-MICH-VET to get connected with benefits and services."

Air Force veteran and UM-Dearborn graduate, Steven Strzelecki, VSO for southeast Michigan, joined MVAA in July to support veterans and their families. Strzelecki will meet veterans by appointment only and will be on campus Monday through Thursday. Veterans are encouraged to set up an appointment with Strzelecki by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-800-MICH-VET.

"Having an MVAA-funded and VA-accredited, veteran service officer on the UM-Dearborn campus brings a much needed service to our veteran community in southeast Michigan," said UM-Dearborn Veteran Services Program Manager Tom Pitock. "Student veterans at UM-Dearborn and Henry Ford College will now have access to a VSO who can help file VA claims and appeals on their behalf."

VSOs play a critical role in supporting veterans and their families. Veterans often face mountains of paperwork and VSOs are knowledgeable about veterans' benefits and services and can navigate the sometimes complicated systems. These veteran advocates work to ensure that every veteran they connect with receives the benefits they earned while proudly serving our country.
Additional MVAA VSOs around Michigan:

• Upper Peninsula - Eric Martin, [email protected]
• Northern-lower Michigan - Amber Guerrero, [email protected]
• West Michigan - Austin Ramey, [email protected]
• Livingston and Washtenaw counties - Brian Brooks, [email protected]