MVAA takes home two CMPRSA Awards for communications work supporting Michigan's veteran population

Courtesy Photo-Pictured from left to right: MVAA's Zach Dillinger, communications manager; Andrew Robishaw, visual content designer; Natalie McCorvie, senior communications representative; and Curtis Volkmann, general office assistant.

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LANSING, Mich. – The Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America (CMPRSA) recognized and awarded the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) for its communications efforts supporting Michigan’s veteran population. The MVAA took home two PACE awards for their Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate Campaign and Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Annual Report.

CMPRSA is a chapter of the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals, the Public Relations Society of America, and hosts the annual PACE Awards — mid-Michigan’s highest honor of public relations. Non-profit organizations, corporations, and public and private agencies that have successfully addressed a topic with exceptional skill and creativity are recognized with one of three awards: Pinnacle (first place), Excellence (second place), and Achievement (third place).

MVAA received the Pinnacle Award for its Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate Campaign. The campaign seeks to provide meaningful recognition to Michigan veterans who served the state and nation during the Vietnam War era and officially welcomes them home, something that many veterans never received. It also helps MVAA connect those veterans and their families with the benefits they earned through their service.

This campaign was developed and promoted in-house by the MVAA Strategic Communications team, running for a total of 95 days. During this period, certificate applications increased by over 400% and generated a 606% increase in page views for the program. By 2025, MVAA has received over 6,000 applications for certificates.

“This is one of those projects that sits close to our hearts,” said MVAA senior communications representative Natalie McCorvie. “It’s a campaign that reminds all of us of the long overdue gratitude we owe to Vietnam War-era veterans who served and sacrificed.”

MVAA also took home the Excellence Award for its FY 2024 Annual Report. MVAA’s FY 2024 Annual Report covers the period from Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024, and details the agency’s efforts to support Michigan’s more than 516,000 veterans and their families. This report provides tangible evidence of MVAA’s commitment to support Michigan’s veteran community.

“These achievements are a reflection of the agency’s passion for assisting and uplifting Michigan veterans and their loved ones,” said MVAA director Love. “Serving veterans is a privilege and commitment that drives everything we do.”

If you’re a Vietnam War era veteran or a loved one, complete the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate Form to apply for a certificate. If you have questions about the application or certificate, please contact 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838) or email MVAAResourceCenter@michigan.gov.

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, 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 MVAA is available at Michigan.gov/MVAA or by reading our FY24 Annual Report.