MVAA presents Coin of Excellence to NMU veteran advocate, hosts Benefits Boot Camps

MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) presented a Northern Michigan University (NMU) veteran advocate with the agency's Coin of Excellence for exceptional service to military-connected students. The ceremony took place during a Benefits Boot Camp event hosted by the MVAA, Michigan National Guard Education Services and the Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (MINGSTAP).

"The presentation was a great way to highlight Madi's dedication to military-connected students," said MVAA education analyst Joe Saur. "Our Benefits Boot Camps turn information into action, and we're honored to support these students and recognize the individuals that go above and beyond for them."

Saur recognized NMU Student Support Services Program assistant, Madi Spychalla, with the MVAA Coin of Excellence on Friday, Aug. 7. Saur was contacted by NMU's Student Veteran Services coordinator, Mike Rutledge, with detailed accounts on Spychalla's efforts with supporting military-connected learners at their university. Spychalla assists Rutledge with appointment scheduling, verifying enrollment paperwork, planning events and consistently familiarizes herself with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits to best serve veterans and transitioning service members.

"Madi has become a very important person in NMU's student veterans' experience here at the university," said Rutledge. "This is not part of her job description; she simply does it to show support for our veterans."

The MVAA, Michigan Army National Guard Education Services and MINGSTAP partnered to host the Benefits Boot Camp series to provide one-on-one assistance with education benefits and resources. These events brought subject-matter experts directly to campuses to help military-connected learners understand the benefits they have earned, work through individual issues and get signed up for benefits on the spot. National Guard and Reserve soldiers who just returned from Initial Active-Duty Training (IADT) were able to receive identification cards as well. The 2026 Benefits Boot Camps schedule included six stops at Veteran-Friendly Schools (VFS) across Michigan.

If you are a service member, veteran or family member, please contact the Michigan Veterans Resource Service Center at 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838) to learn more about veteran benefits and resources.

For more information about the VFS program, please contact Joe Saur at [email protected].

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency - The MVAA is the central coordinating agency, providing support, care, advocacy and service to veterans and their families. As a state agency, the MVAA works to identify and break down barriers veterans face in employment, education, health care and quality of life, to make Michigan a great place for veterans and their families to call home. More information about the MVAA is available at Michigan.gov/MVAA or by reading our FY25 Annual Report.

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