Transcript Veteran Resource Center

Veteran
______
Resource
_______ Center
_____
Ensuring that our
Protectors of Today can
Succeed Tomorrow
Mission Statement
The Kennesaw State University Veteran Resources
Center (VRC) is:
Committed to support the mission of the Division
of Student Success & through the development &
implementation of outreach programs designed to
provide student support services focused on the
special needs & requirements of today's military
veteran, service members, dependents & survivors
The VRC also plays a supporting role in the
development & implementation of educational &
development components designed to position the
university with veteran & military affiliated
organizations & agencies
Our Creed
History
Fall 2008 -- Presidential Commission Formed
Spring 2009 -- Need Assessment & Best
Practices Measurements Completed
Fall 2009 -- Veteran Resource Center Opened
in collaboration with Student Success
Services & Student Veterans Club
September 2010 -- Director Hired
Veteran Community
The Veteran Community Includes:
Veterans
Service Members
Survivors
Dependants
There are 700 “Identified” members of this
community currently receiving benefits, &
2000 not receiving benefits attending
Kennesaw State University
Who Serves the Community
VA Certifying Official -- Glenda Espana
Veteran Resource Center
VA Work Study – 15 students that are prior
service or dependants who assiststudent
veterans transition to KSU
Specific RSO’s that allow opportunity for the
veteran community to actively get involved
in positive efforts in the larger community
Currently, there are 3 RSO’s that are registered:
• Student Veterans Club
• ROTC Club
• Semper Fi Society
Who Serves the Community
SGA -- The combined efforts of both
the KSU’s VRC & the Veteran
Organizations, the SGA has
authorized & approved the posting of
a new Senator position who’s sole
purpose is to advocate the unique
needs of today’s veteran community
Services Offered to the
Veteran Community
Counseling on the different GI Bill benefits &
assistance in determining which is best
suited for them
Assistance in applying for GI Bill benefits
Assistance in navigating through the KSU
support structure (e.g., Admissions,
Registers, Financial Aid)
Referring to outside agencies such as DOL,
DAV, VA, Georgia Veteran Services
Veteran Black & Gold Insight sessions
Current Benefits
Orientation fee reimbursement
Testing fee wavier
Military fee wavier(Select reserves 180 consecutive
days in combat zone) except for Meal Plans &
Special Class fees such as Lab
VRC with VA work study program
Global Engagement Certification through overseas
deployment
Yellow Ribbon program
Military stoles authorized for graduation
Counseling
Social networking through student organizations
Accomplishments
KSU recognizing these unique needs by hiring a fulltime Director – (Frank Wills,U.S.M.C.,MPPA)
Approval of a Student Senator
Professionalize VRC
Cooperative Studies (Internship)
Marine Scholar Program
Veteran First Year Learning Community
(Fall Semester only)
Veteran Insight Sessions
Veteran Advisory Committee
VA Work Study Program
Current Efforts
Soldiers to Scholars -- Board of Regents
Acceptance of AARTS & SMARTS,
transcripts, (Already recognized by the
Board of Regents) & Service Member
Opportunity College (SOC network)
Advocating Veteran Issues through the SGA
Community events to raise veteran awareness
The Future
A self sufficient entity capable of truly being
a “One Stop Shop”
Acquisition of a dedicated VA Certifying
Official
Space & resources to adequately services
this ever growing community
Expand upon current efforts to incorporate
the VCAP program
Some Facts
Veteran enrollment at KSU has increased by
over 67.5% within the last academic year
alone
Over 700 “Identified” veteran students with
guaranteed tuition & fees paid through a
GI Bill averaging over $1.8 million per
Semester paid to KSU
Over 600 thousand veterans in the US are
currently using VA education benefits