Student Veterans of America (SVA)
Advocating. Connecting. Leading Change.
The MSU chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA) is a student-led organization committed to empowering military-connected students through advocacy, leadership, and community engagement.
SVA at MSU builds community for student veterans and military-connected students through advocacy, service, leadership development, and campus partnerships.
- Advocate for the academic and social success of student veterans
- Host professional development and networking opportunities
- Organize social, volunteer, and outreach initiatives
- Connect members to leadership opportunities within SVA’s national network
The Student Veterans of America chapter at Michigan State University exists to bring military connected students together and give them a voice on campus. It is a student led organization made up of veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve students, spouses, and dependents who want to stay connected and continue leading.
At its core, SVA at MSU is about community and leadership. College can feel very different after military service, and even those who did not serve directly often carry the impact of that experience in their families. SVA creates a space where students understand each other without needing to explain every detail. It is a place to build friendships, share opportunities, and stay connected to something bigger than yourself.
The chapter works closely with the Center for Veteran and Military Affiliated Students and other campus partners to make sure the needs and perspectives of military connected students are heard. While CVMAS provides institutional support and resources, SVA represents the student voice. Members help shape programming, provide feedback, and contribute to conversations that strengthen the overall veteran experience at MSU.
SVA is also a leadership platform. Students can attend events, volunteer, serve on committees, or step into executive roles. Whether someone wants to quietly connect with others or actively lead initiatives that impact the campus community, there is room to grow.
Above all, SVA at MSU exists to ensure that military connected Spartans are not navigating college alone. It is a place to connect, to serve, and to continue building purpose beyond the uniform.
SVA at MSU operates as a registered student organization led by military connected students who want to build community and create impact on campus. There is no required level of involvement. Some students attend events and stay connected socially. Others step into leadership roles, help plan initiatives, or represent the chapter in campus conversations.
The organization holds meetings and hosts events throughout the semester. These may include networking opportunities, guest speakers, service projects, social gatherings, or collaborations with campus and community partners. Members are encouraged to participate at the level that fits their schedule and goals.
Students who are interested in leadership can run for executive board positions or volunteer to help lead projects. These roles provide experience in event planning, communication, advocacy, and team coordination. For many students, SVA becomes both a support system and a place to develop confidence beyond the classroom.
Whether someone is looking for connection, purpose, leadership experience, or simply a place to belong, SVA offers an entry point.
There are many ways to get involved with SVA at MSU. Students can participate at the level that fits their goals, from attending events to serving in leadership roles. Each contribution adds to a strong and visible veteran presence at Michigan State University and reinforces a culture of connection, service, and shared purpose.
Meet other military connected Spartans through events, conversations, and shared experiences. Whether you are new to campus or have been at MSU for years, SVA creates space to build genuine relationships with people who understand the impact of service. Sometimes connection is the first step toward everything else.
Become part of a student led organization committed to advocacy, leadership, and community. Membership keeps you informed about events, initiatives, and opportunities while giving you a voice in shaping the veteran experience at Michigan State University. Joining is simple. The impact can be lasting.
Step into a role that challenges you to grow. From planning events to representing military connected students in campus conversations, leadership within SVA builds skills in communication, organization, and advocacy. If you are ready to contribute beyond attendance, there is space for you to lead.
Student Veterans of America is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and military connected students in higher education. Founded in 2008 when student veterans from across the country joined together to strengthen campus support, SVA has grown into a network of nearly 1,600 chapters representing student veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents at colleges and universities nationwide.
Since its founding, SVA has played an important role in shaping policy and opportunity for student veterans. Early in the organization’s history, its efforts contributed to the passage and expansion of significant educational benefits like the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, strengthening access to higher education for veterans and their families.
At the national level, SVA conducts research, leads advocacy initiatives, and partners with employers and government agencies to improve access, retention, and success for student veterans. Its annual Census gathers data that informs policy, campus programs, and national conversations about military connected learners.
Each year SVA gathers thousands of students, allies, and partners at the National Conference (NatCon), the largest convening of student veterans in the United States. There, attendees build leadership skills, connect with employers, and share best practices from campuses across the country.
The strength of the national network comes from chapters like SVA at Michigan State University. Through that connection, MSU students benefit from shared resources, leadership development opportunities, and access to the broader community of student veterans working to improve higher education.
A nationwide organization with local impact — building community, policy, and leadership across campuses.