When it comes to serving veterans in higher education, Eastern Michigan University (EMU) stands as a national leader—not just in recognition but in action. At the heart of this commitment is Michael Wise, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel who serves as the assistant director of EMU’s Kettles Military and Veteran Services Resource Center. Wise, whose military career brought him to EMU in 2010 as the professor of military science, has since become a guiding light in how the university supports student veterans and their families.
“I want Eastern Michigan Military and Veterans Services to be the military-friendly aspect of our entire campus—not just this office,” Wise said, emphasizing that our reputation starts from the top. “When you have the support of your administration, everything else follows. It reverberates across the university.”
And reverberate it has. EMU’s accolades as a Top Veteran-Friendly School and a Top Yellow Ribbon School are not just titles—they reflect a deeply ingrained culture of respect, dignity and practical support for military-connected students.
The Kettles Center, named after Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Colonel Charles S. Kettles, is more than a resource hub. It’s a tribute to sacrifice and service. Kettles, a Vietnam War helicopter pilot, is credited with saving 44 Soldiers under hostile fire. After the war, he earned his master’s at EMU and helped launch the university’s aviation management program. Wise describes him not just as a hero but as a friend whose legacy lives on in the very office that bears his name.
“[Kettles] flew into enemy fire with a shot-up helicopter and rescued dozens of troops,” Wise recounted. “His story continues to inspire everything we do here.”
What sets EMU apart isn’t just its history—it’s the university’s holistic approach toward supporting veterans and their families. Wraparound services include resume-writing assistance, career counseling, academic advising and connections to internships and employment. These efforts go beyond paperwork and protocol. They’re about human connection.
“When a veteran calls, emails or walks through our door, they’re going to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Wise. “We don’t stop until their questions are answered.”
EMU recognizes that many student veterans do not fit the mold of a traditional 18-year-old college student. They often come with families, mortgages and a wealth of life experience. Our staff meets them where they are—offering accelerated degree paths by honoring military training as academic credit and encouraging them to think beyond their undergraduate education.
“We plant the seed for graduate school early,” Wise explained. “Sometimes they don’t think they’re good enough. But when we push them to try, they succeed.”
One such example is a former Army ROTC cadet who doubted her ability to pursue graduate studies. With encouragement from Wise and the EMU team, she applied to the University of Michigan’s prestigious Master’s in Social Work Program and was accepted. She thrived, graduated and now has a fulfilling career. Stories like hers are commonplace at EMU.
Wise’s philosophy is as straightforward as it is powerful: “Treat people with dignity and respect.” That mindset, rooted in his military service, informs how EMU approaches each student interaction. It’s more than a motto—it’s a mission.
In an era where veteran support in education can often be performative, EMU sets a gold standard under the steady guidance of leaders like Wise. Here, service doesn’t end with a military discharge—it evolves into academic success, personal growth and meaningful employment.
And for the veterans who walk through EMU’s doors, it’s not just about earning a degree. It’s about belonging to a community that sees their value, honors their service and empowers their future.
Photo Courtesy of Michael Wise
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