Veteran services program receives state grant to enhance, expand offerings
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
Lipscomb University’s veteran services program has received a Veteran Reconnect Grant, a competitive grant focused on improving the success of student veterans enrolled in Tennessee colleges and universities.
Lipscomb’s veteran services program received an $80,415 Veteran Reconnect Grant awarded by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.
“From 2008 to 2013, we saw a 200 percent increase in the number of veterans enrolling in our Tennessee colleges and universities,” Haslam said. “Our Veterans Education Task Force has been working to address the unique needs that our service men and women have when they come home and go back to school, and these competitive grants will help two-year and four-year schools develop initiatives specifically designed for veterans to be successful in earning a degree or certificate.”
The grant will be used to enhance the internal processes and services offered by the veteran services office as well as to hire an outreach coordinator to focus on recruiting new students, assisting with their transition to college life and retaining them.
“We have one of the leading programs in the nation, but if we don’t do all we can do to keep our veteran students once they enroll, working with them on barriers unique to veterans, and if we don’t get them to graduation and their diplomas, we have not done our best job,” said April Herrington, director of veteran services.
This fall, Lipscomb opened a new Veterans Resource Center located just behind Elam Residence Hall. The facility was funded in part by a $25,000 challenge gift from the Sentinels of Freedom organization.
The center includes areas for veterans to study and fellowship, a computer, television, kitchen/eating area, lockers and a place to relax in between classes.
“Going to college is a challenge for our veteran students as non-traditional students,” said Susan Lee, veterans certifying official. “They often juggle classes with jobs, families and other commitments. This new space is a place just for them where they feel like they belong and where they can build a sense of community.”
For veterans who qualify for 100 percent of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, Lipscomb University has committed to allocate the necessary funds to allow them to earn a tuition-free undergraduate degree through the Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program. The university also offers qualifying student veterans a variety of graduate degrees tuition-free or at a greatly reduced tuition rate.
Since its inception in 2009, Lipscomb’s veterans services program has served more than 500 students. More than 230 veterans are enrolled at Lipscomb this fall. Student veterans have performed well academically with 71 percent of currently enrolled student veterans maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA, and 13 percent of those maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.
For more information about Lipscomb University’s veteran services program, call 615.966.1013 or visit veterans.lipscomb.edu.