Lakeland Community College Veterans Center

Lakeland Community College is proud to announce that it has been awarded both the Military Friendly® Gold and Military Friendly Spouse® designations for 2026-2027. These nationally recognized designations are highly regarded by transitioning service members, veterans pursuing higher education, and colleges and universities across the country.

These honors are separate recognitions that complement the Collegiate Purple Star designation Lakeland received from the Ohio Department of Higher Education in November 2025.

“Earning the Military Friendly® designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution’s deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served. These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses, they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact. Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence” says Kayla Lopez, Vice President of Memberships, Military Friendly®.

Earning the Military Friendly Gold, Military Friendly Spouse, and Collegiate Purple Star designations require rigorous attention to detail and extensive coordination across many departments. These achievements reflect the dedication of Lakeland’s Veterans Center, led by S. Rhonda Osagie-Erese and Debra Weber, whose exceptional work ensures that Lakeland continues to provide quality support to its growing population of military veterans, spouses, and their families.

“We are very proud to receive these designations. We are doubly excited to know that our efforts are extending beyond the student veterans and positively impacting our military families. Our team works so hard providing our military-connected students with resources to support them and we love to see each student succeed,” shares Osagie-Erese. “Being recognized for our efforts is truly exceptional!”

For more information about Lakeland’s student veteran programs, contact veterans center manager S. Rhonda Osagie-Erese, at 440.525.7529 or visit lakelandcc.edu/veterans.

By: Jaylen Love, Marketing & Communications Specialist