Veterans Resource Project Overview
Overview: The Need
The California Community College system has begun to serve Veterans
of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom
(OIF). It is estimated that 16,000 of the 21,000 Veterans and their
dependents using the GI Bill at California postsecondary
institutions are enrolled at a community college. Further,
enrollment of Veterans is expected to increase dramatically in the
near future.
Returning Veterans arrive on campus as an at-risk population
for three primary reasons:
The academic world poses considerable challenges, as most
individuals returning from military service have not attended
formal, traditional academic programs for several years (i.e., high
school, prior college).
A significant number of Veterans can be described as
"nontraditional" learners.
Many OEF and OIF Veterans return with a traumatic brain injury
(TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other disabilities
that pose substantial barriers to academic success.
Veterans Resource Center Project
To meet the needs of these deserving individuals, the High Tech
Center Training Unit (HTCTU) at De Anza College, in coordination
with the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges,
proposed establishing a Veterans Resource Center (VRC) on
approximately twelve community college campuses, patterned after
the VRC at Butte College.
Outcomes
Project goals are simple and measurable. The HTCTU will:
Conduct a survey of current status re: what the CCCs are
currently seeing, providing. Identify approximately twelve
Veterans Resource Center project sites.
Together with participating colleges, establish a Veterans Resource
Center (designated as such for uniformity) and track the number of
Veteran students using the VRCs, referrals to on- and off-campus
resources, and trainings provided through the HTCTU.
Summary
The Veterans Resource Center project grows from a proven model,
one that provides tangible services that form scaffolding for
Veteran students as they navigate the academic and civilian worlds.
This project is great in terms of return, but lean in terms of
cost; it can be easily replicated throughout the California
Community College (CCC) system (N=110) and nationally.
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