Photo above: Jake Lozen with his mother at his boot camp graduation in 2011

 

Davenport University’s faculty and staff salute all veterans, especially those preparing for their second career at DU.

 

Jake Lozen is a husband, father of three young children, and Marine Corps veteran and in 2028, he’ll add college graduate to that list. 

Lozen transferred to Davenport University in January 2026 to complete his degree in data analytics. He was previously enrolled at a larger university and left in search of something different. He found what he was looking for at Davenport’s W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus. “I chose Davenport because of its excellent Data Analytics program and because of the lower student-to-teacher ratio. I had attended a different university but needed a smaller environment to learn. Davenport is a perfect fit for me,” he said. 

Anthony Anderson, interim president at Davenport, said he is proud of the university’s commitment to supporting those who have served. “Our recognition as a Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly School by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency reflects that commitment,” he said. “From recognizing military experience through academic credit to providing tuition discounts and opportunities for connection through our Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter, we strive to help veterans achieve their educational and career goals.” 

Lozen was impressed with Davenport’s admissions team and was pleased that all of his college and military credits transferred seamlessly. 

He has also been impressed with Davenport’s professors and faculty. “Everyone seems to really care about their students’ education,” he said. “Lessons are presented at a perfect pace so that students can grasp the concepts before moving onto the next topic.”

After high school, Lozen had no plan and wasn’t sure what his next step would be. A sense of duty led him to join the Marine Corps reserves in 2011. “It didn’t seem right to me that healthy men and women were fighting for our freedom, while I was a healthy and active young man with nothing but time. Enlisting in the Marine Corps not only gave me something to do, but it also fulfilled my call to serve,” he said. 

Lozen served six years in the infantry and looks back on that time fondly. “I enjoyed my time in the Marine Corps,” he said. “ I made friendships that will last for the rest of my life, and more importantly, it taught me discipline and responsibility.”

For Lozen, being a veteran means being part of a community of people who chose to be involved with something larger than themselves. 

Until graduation, Lozen plans to spend his time working, studying and attending his children’s sporting events with his wife. “I’ve also started the process of networking because my dream is to work within a professional sports team’s data analytics department,” he said.  

Travis Snyder, military admissions representative and SVA chapter advisor, said he enjoys the opportunity to help Davenport’s military-connected students (active service members, veterans, spouses and dependents) utilize educational benefits. “My favorite part of my job is watching veterans like Jacob achieve their academic and professional goals. It’s a privilege to play a small part in that process,” he said. “I also connect them with any other resources they may need as they transition from their time in service, such as local veteran organizations, mental health resources, family and  emergency relief, finding Veteran Service Officers, VA resources and more.” 

Davenport supports veterans by:

• Turning military experience into academic credits
• Offering current or former service members a 20% military tuition discount
• Participating in the GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon, Federal Tuition Assistance and Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance programs. 
• Offering on-campus support
• Having a Student Veterans of America group on campus
• Providing a veterans lounge 

To learn more about Davenport’s programs, click here. 

To learn more about how Davenport supports veterans looking for a degree, click here.