Sep 8th, 2017
The State of Tennessee and the Tennessee Higher Education Committee (THEC) are recognizing Jackson State Community College for its work with veterans and active military and also awarding Jackson State grant money that will be used to help its student veterans succeed.
Jackson State will officially be designated as a VETS Campus and as the recipient of a Veteran Reconnect Grant in a special ceremony at 11 a.m. Sept. 28 in Room 203 of the Jim Moss Center for Nursing. Speakers at the event will include THEC director Mike Krause, area legislators, Jackson State president Dr. Allana Hamilton and Jackson State student leaders.
Jackson State is one of 22 institutions in Tennessee to be named a VETS Campus in recognition of the school's services and resources to student veterans. Currently, Jackson State provides services to over 200 students who have previously served or are serving in the armed forces and their dependents. The VETS Campus designation is part of the Tennessee Veterans Education Transition Support Act of 2014. Campuses that meet the requirement must prioritize outreach to veterans and create an environment in which veteran students have resources to thrive.
Established by the Tennessee General Assembly, the Veteran Reconnect Grant provides funding for the development of new programs to promote the success of student veterans. Jackson State, one of 13 institutions in Tennessee to receive the grant, will receive $44,500 beginning this fall. The grant is awarded through THEC as recognition of the school's potential to enhance services and resources to student veterans.
Over the next 18 months, THEC will work collaboratively with the institutions who receive the grant to ensure that prospective and incoming student veterans have easy, clear access to information on how their training equates to academic credit.
"Each of these designations from the state of Tennessee and THEC are tremendous honors for our institution, and to receive them together is even more special," Dr. Hamilton said. "Jackson State is greatly committed to the success of our student veterans, active duty military students and their dependents through dedicated staff, space and resources on campus. Opportunities such as the Veteran Reconnect grant allow us to improve our services to these students even further."