Gaeir Dietrich (left) and Myra
Lerch (right) created an exciting project that has
received the support of the Chancellor's Office and the 15 colleges
that have been selected to pilot the project in 2010-11. Combining
a Veterans lounge for camaraderie with assistive technology to
facilitate academic success and a wellness program to assist in
psychosocial reintegration, the project is as innovative as it is
comprehensive. As the first system-wide effort to create
"Veteran-Friendly" campuses throughout the California Community
College System, this project demonstrates an unprecedented
commitment to assist service personnel in re-entering the
educational system.
Click on the Camera Icon to view Gaeir's presentation to
the new DSPS Directors at their training in fall 2010.
The following pages chronicle first year activities at six
of the colleges. Each school is profiled and includes a video tour
of their Veterans Resource Center with words from the Veterans
themselves.
It
should
be
noted
that,
other
than
the
model for the project, Butte College, the colleges visited were
selected because they were on my route during a two week road trip.
My project budget, and time available, prevented getting to
all the schools funded by the project. I am sorry not to
have been able to visit them all. However, I would
invite the other colleges in the project to submit media or other
material and a section in this training module will be created
for each college submitting information.