GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College was awarded a $450,000 federal grant to build a designated veterans center on campus and expand its services for students who served in the military.
The Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success will serve as a hub for connecting veterans with campus resources like financial aid, advising and disability support, according to a college press release.
“Our college is proud of our West Michigan veterans, and while we have a history of being a veteran-friendly campus, we want to raise the bar,” GRCC President Bill Pink said in a statement about the three-year grant.
“Like many of our students, veterans often attend college part time while juggling home and work responsibilities. We’re focused on making sure these students have academic support and relevant assistance in tapping into the benefits they are entitled to. This grant will help us improve upon the strong program we presently have in place.”
The college received the $450,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, college officials said. The funding will be used to build the veteran services center in a renovated Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, at 143 Bostwick Ave., with a coordinator to oversee the program and three peer mentors.
The center will be used to host workshops and speakers, allowing students to network, according to the release. The project also will help GRCC expand its partnerships with state and local veterans’ agencies, helping students access benefits and support in the community.
“GRCC has a history of honoring veterans, from our annual Veterans Day commemoration to events to build fellowship and community,” GRCC Registrar Valerie Butterfield said in a statement.
“This grant will allow us to take that work to the next level, providing a dedicated space for veterans of all ages. They will be able to get support from the college, but also from each other.”
The college will also use the hub for outreach to veterans in the community to make them aware of opportunities at GRCC to earn a degree or learn in-demand career skills.
More than 400 students already take advantage of GRCC’s existing veterans services, and college officials hope to grow than number to more than 500 in the next three years.
Students find existing services and benefits for veterans at grcc.edu/veterans.
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