Staggs, Silverman appointed to National Association of Veterans Program Administrators' 2017 Board of Directors
Lacey Klotz |
The National Association of Veterans Program Administrators recently elected Lipscomb University director of veteran’s services Chad Staggs and VA Certifying Official Susan Silverman to its Board of Directors as a Regional III Alternate Delegate and as an At-Large Delegate for 2017.
After attending the NAVPA Convention in October, Staggs and Silverman were each nominated for their respective positions by other regional school representatives and received a majority rule vote.
"Being elected to the board of directors is not only a tremendous honor for Susan and I to represent Lipscomb University, it is also a wonderful opportunity to participate with other regional leaders in shaping policy on higher education decisions that directly impact student veterans across the country,” said Staggs. "NAVPA has strong influence and its representatives are dedicated to the success of veterans education. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn, contribute and participate with a team of experienced leaders that have a common goal—veterans education."
As members of the NAVPA Board of Directors, Staggs and Silverman will be in direct contact with the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs, Education and Defense, as well the U.S. House of Representative and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the National Association of College and University Business Officers and other national and regional professional organizations concerning NAVPA’s mission to advocate for veteran students and their dependents.
“NAVPA would like to personally thank Lipscomb University for endorsing its veterans administrator to participate in this organization and make it possible for Chad Staggs and Susan Silverman to attend our mid-year meeting and annual conference,” said Keith A. Glindemann, NAVPA president. “Not only is it beneficial for Lipscomb University to stay abreast of all changes the Veterans Administration makes from year-to-year, but Staggs and Silverman will work on initiatives to improve and enhance the GI Bill.”
Founded in 1975, NAVPA is a nationally recognized organization of program administrators who work for universities and colleges, trade schools and apprenticeship programs across the U.S. to insure that student veterans are provided the best service and most accurate access to their GI Bill benefits. Although the primary scope of NAVPA is education, it also addresses other areas of interest and opportunity for veterans, as well as professional development for members.
A number of veterans have come to Lipscomb University seeking a place to earn a college degree and to help them transition into a new chapter of their lives. Lipscomb University offers a rare opportunity for veterans who qualify for 100 percent of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to earn an undergraduate degree by participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Since its inception in 2009, Lipscomb’s veterans’ services program has served more than 500 students and has been recognized nationally for its quality.
Military Times recently included Lipscomb University as part of its Best for Vets: Colleges 2017 ranking. Military Advanced Education awarded Lipscomb the designation of a “Top Military-Friendly University” in its “2015 Guide to Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities.” Last year marked the sixth consecutive year that Lipscomb University was designated a Military-Friendly School by “GI Jobs,” a publication of Victory Media, for its veteran services program.
In 2014, U.S. News also ranked Lipscomb as the second-best regional university in the South for veterans. The College of Business was ranked 24th in the nation in the Military Times’ 2013 Best for Vets: Business Schools Guide for veterans based on financial aid, academic policies and participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
For more information, visit: lipscomb.edu/veterans.