For the Student Veterans

This post is aimed at a very important segment of the student body, our veterans.  These individuals have volunteered to serve and defend their country and are now heading to school to further their lives and careers.  We would like to say thank you to them for their service and go one step further and tell how we can serve them.

There are multiple resources available for veterans through the University Center and their home campuses.  The first resource we can offer vets is one another.  Sometimes all a person needs is to talk to someone else who has been where they have been and knows what they have been through.  Understanding that, the University Center is working with a determined group of veteran students to create a Vets Club, unique to the UC.  Any student who is taking a class at the UC is welcome to join this club, regardless of what institution they are enrolled in.  The purpose of the club is to support and encourage the veterans and provide resources to them as well as instill a sense of camaraderie in these students.

A second resource will be to bring a VA patient advocate to the building once a month to visit with our veterans about any questions they may have.  A representative from the VA Black Hills Health Care System will be available to answer questions and provide information about Veterans Health Care at the Rapid City University Center in the Lobby Rotunda from 3:30 to 5:00 pm on the following dates:

• September 18, 2012
• October 23, 2012
• November 13, 2012

Be watching for upcoming dates in the spring semester.

A third resource available will be various workshops throughout the semester.  While these workshops will be open to all students, not just veterans, there are a few that I would like to draw special attention to.  Throughout the year, Career Services will be hosting workshops on resumes and cover letters.  At these sessions, in addition to reviewing resumes/cover letters, we will have a representative from the Veteran's Upward Bound program on hand to assist with any number of questions the veteran students may have.  This program is a fantastic and FREE resource to all members of the military who have been discharged or released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable or discharged, or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

There are many additional services that are offered to our veterans.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will work with you to answer them or resolve any issues you may be having.  Thank you again for your service and we are honored you chose to continue your education at the University Center Rapid City!