Colleges like Sierra develop veteran services
June 14, 2012
U.S. soldiers are trained to cope with dangerous situations and tough decisions, but a lot of returning veterans face a new kind of struggle: college. Fortunately, universities like Sierra College in California continue to develop veteran services.
According to National Public Radio, Catherine Morris - former Marine and current academic advisor at Sierra - felt that the school needed to offer more for its veteran students. However, budget cuts threatened to hinder the initiative. When the college informed her that the cuts were increasing last year, Morris and a number of Sierra students formed their own program.
Sierra's website explains that its veteran services include course guidance, the option of meeting with a veteran counselor and advice on college scholarships. The school also assists students with the GI Bill and helps veterans adjust to the college lifestyle with a course focusing on the transition from combat to enrollment at university.
As NPR reports, veterans like Crystal Turner, who married a fellow Marine, are trying to find their place at Sierra. Turner takes courses at the college while also working 25 hours a week and raising her two children.
More and more American universities are augmenting their veteran programs and identifying scholarships for parents like Turner to help better serve these men and women who have served our country.
