Establishing a Student Veterans Center at your Campus

Director – Air Force Veteran who served 8 years in the military – Served two tours of duty – Attended Central Piedmont Community College after leaving the military – Completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees – Helped us fully understand the various needs of the student veterans population 2

Mission and Vision 3 Our mission is to provide transitioning tools, life- long education and career development for those who have served and their family members consistent with their needs, interests, and abilities. Our vision is to help our clients develop 21 st Century Life Skills while enhancing the economic, social and cultural growth of our community.

Background Centralized location to service student veterans Standard processes and procedures to provide services Number of student veterans continued to increase Anticipated increased number of student veterans resulting from Chapter 33 bill 4

Background The College operated with: – one full-time financial aid counselor dedicated to assisting student veterans; – academic advisors and counselors serve total student population (ratio 1,900:1); and – other service areas (career coaches, computer labs, transcript evaluations, scholarships) serve the total student population. 5

Background Commitment from top administration – *Vet-Champion – Mel Gay Financial resources ‒ *Institutional funds/ public private partnership ‒ Donors ‒ Federal funds Space indentified Organizational structure – Staff Relationship with community agencies 6

CPCC Military Students Demographics Average over 2,500 student veterans Note: The American Council on Education estimates that 43% - 47% of veterans enrolled in institutions of higher education are enrolled at community colleges. 7 10% full-time students 90% part-time students 68% 30 years of age and older 32% 20 – 29 years of age 77% male 23% female

Veterans Resource Center Veterans Resource Center Grand Opening - September

Name Transition Survey of college-wide Veteran’s Assistance Committee Survey results recommended name change – Center for Military Families and Veterans The Center’s new name is inclusive of military, veterans, and their families. The name change allowed the Center’s brand to transform from solely a resource location to an inclusive destination for student veterans. 9

Scholarships for Veterans Established scholarships to assist student veterans who demonstrated financial need, including: – Older veterans who have previously used their benefits or whose eligibility has expired. – Veterans who do not receive full Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 benefits because they did not serve 36 months on active duty. – Veterans for whom their level of support is inadequate to address educational and related costs. 10

Veterans Resource Center Today  Director  3 Counselors (FT/PT) LPCA eligible for Veterans  3 Counseling interns (average)  (to assist veterans in personal and academic counseling needs)  1 Academic Advisor (to assist veterans in selecting programs of study and course registration)  2 Clerical staff  5 VA Work Study Student support  4 Veteran Centers 11

Student Veterans Enrolled by Academic Year 12 * Data available for Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 only 48.5%

13 Central Campus Visits Only

Unique Student Veterans Visits 14

Center for Military Families and Veterans 479 unique student veterans (22% of all student veterans) visited the Center within the first year. More than 12,000 recurring visits to the Center (military and non-military) to-date. 858 of the visits (7.2%) came either for academic advising or therapeutic services. Services include general inquiries and referrals, workshops, computer lab and lounge usage. 15

16 Promoting The Center for Military Families & Veterans

Student Veterans Association (SVA) 17 Student veterans of all military branches Gather for networking and socializing Provide support to one another Assist community organizations to improve the welfare of veterans attending CPCC or living in North Carolina. Perform service projects Meetings are held every Tuesday in the lounge of the Center for Military Families and Veterans SVA is connected to the larger Student Veterans of America organizationStudent Veterans of America Veterans Affairs Staff serves as the advisor to SVA

18 Department Priorities 1.Community Veterans Network 2.Green Zone Training (Fall 2016) 3.Group Counseling (Connect & Thrive) 4.Mentoring Program 5.NC Serves Community Initiative 6.Single Stop 7.Student Veteran Support Network 8.Student Veteran Handbook

Final Thoughts! There are no home runs only singles! The Veteran population is an important population but, fragile at times. Start small, take baby steps and have a big impact.

Questions Nicholas Riggins Director, Center for Military Families & Veterans Christopher Lloyd edu Counselor, Center for Military Families & Veterans Tracy Moore Associate Dean, Education Support Services

Front Lobby (old) 21

22 Veteran at Reception Desk

23 Howard R. Levine Center at Levine Campus Opened May 2013

Staff Assisting Veterans 24

Lobby and Lounge

Staff serving Veterans 26

Annual Veteran’s Day Tribute November 11,

28 Annual Veteran’s Day Tribute November 11, 2013

Annual Flags Ceremony – 6,500 Flags! 29

30 Annual Flags Ceremony

Annual Veteran’s Day 31

2015 Hornet’s Apprenticeship Ceremony 32