North Central College students network with other military veterans at state capital

North Central College student veterans met with government officials, networked with peers and learned about opportunities for military veterans pursuing college degrees during Illinois Student Veterans Leadership Day Feb. 25 in Springfield.

Attending were students James Lynch of Wheaton, a first-year political science major who served in the U.S. Navy, and Maria Kornfeind ’15 of Downers Grove, an accounting major who served in the U.S. Marines.

“We had the opportunity to network with about 100 other student veterans from across the state,” says Julie Carballo, director of veterans support services at North Central College.

The event at the Illinois State Museum featured various speakers, including James Applegate, executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. “We are helping provide a clear path for veterans to get a degree and a meaningful career,” Applegate told attendees.

Other speakers included Erica Jeffries, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, and state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia of Aurora, who told attendees, “Right now you influence change, you are a leader now.”

The Illinois chapter of Student Veterans of America says Student Veterans Leadership Day is an event for student veteran leaders attending Illinois’ colleges and universities to encourage dialogue with peers, legislators and other state leaders concerning issues that impact the student veteran community.

North Central College offers a range of opportunities for military veterans transitioning to academic and civilian life. Our programs and services have earned North Central College the designation of a 2015 Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine for embracing America’s military service members and veterans as students. North Central fully participates in both the Post 9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon veteran benefit programs.


http://northcentralcollege.edu/student-life/veterans
http://northcentralcollege.edu/news/gi-jobs-magazine-rates-north-central-college-military-friendly-school-2015