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Since 2009 when North Central College joined the Yellow Ribbon program, the number of veterans on campus has nearly tripled. Currently, North Central serves 23 student veterans—most are transfer students—and expects this population to increase as more troops make their way home and the College’s commitment to serve this population continues to grow.
“Our veterans are smart, motivated and driven to be successful people,” says Laurie Hamen, vice president for enrollment management, athletics and student affairs. “They exhibit all the characteristics of great North Central students and have good ideas about how to make this campus more veteran-friendly.”
North Central College President Harold Wilde initiated a dialogue with student veterans by inviting them to a reception at his house for an inaugural Veteran’s Day celebration in 2010. As students shared their experiences, the group discussed how the campus community can best support veterans’ adjustment back to academic and civilian life.
Among the outcomes was a revision to an enrollment policy making it easier for veterans to secure their benefits more quickly and easily. North Central also implemented a formal program that raises the profile of veterans on campus while improving access to resources and delivery of services that help them earn their degree and plan their futures.
Officially launched on Veteran’s Day Nov. 11, 2011, the student veteran service program includes the following initiatives:
- Yellow Ribbon program, implemented in 2009. Veterans’ tuition and fees are paid 100 percent; after benefits are paid by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, North Central covers the balance.
- Veterans Resource Team, comprised of staff from various campus offices, provides individualized assistance to veterans.
- Campus-wide training sessions to inform faculty and staff about the needs of student vets. First workshop took place in 2011 and featured guest speakers and panel of faculty and students who are veterans.
- Dedicated pages on the College’s website with information about admission, financial aid and links to programs and services available to student veterans. Visit northcentralcollege.edu/admission/veterans.
- Seeking insight and guidance from professionals at other institutions of higher education about raising awareness of veteran needs and providing veteran services.
- Peer-to-peer veteran service program. The College will designate two student veterans to serve as peer advocates and help build camaraderie among veterans, establish a registered student group for veterans and serve as a liaison between the veterans and campus support services.
North Central has partnered with Aurora Foundation of Fairfax, Va., to support the peer-to-peer veteran service program and some training. In all other program initiatives, the College has dedicated resources to support the success of its student veterans, including oversight by Dean of Students Kimberly Sluis and her staff.
North Central College has gained recognition for its veteran-friendly initiatives. Named a 2012 Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine, North Central was listed among the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members and veterans as students. G.I. Jobs based its results on surveys of current student veterans and their experiences.
“Being named a Military Friendly School is a great honor for North Central College,” says Sluis. “It’s given us encouragement to continue our efforts to serve our student veterans in even better ways.”
16/01/2012