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Del Tech recognized as Military Friendly School

Shown at the unveiling of the Military Friendly plaque are (l-r) retired Col. John Tullis; retired Chief Bill Wood, Del Tech chief of Public Safety; Melissa Rakes, dean of student affairs; veteran Levi Valentine, Human Services student; Dr. Mark Brainard, Del Tech College president; and Dr. Ileana Smith, Owens Campus vice president and campus director. BY STEVEN BILLUPS
Steven Billups
November 3, 2014
Major General Francis Vavala, Dr. Kathy Janvier and Dr. Mark Brainard pose with the plaque honoring Delaware Tech as a Military Friendly School. BY SUBMITTED

Delaware Technical Community College celebrated its designation as a Military Friendly School Oct. 20. The Military Friendly School designation is awarded by Victory Media to the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that embrace military students and dedicate resources to ensure their success.

Delaware Tech also supports military veterans through the Veterans Inspiring Progress program. VIP is a student veteran organization that connects student veterans with resources to help them succeed and offers support and camaraderie. Speakers at the event included College President Dr. Mark T. Brainard and representatives from the military.

“We are very proud of our veterans and military service members. At Delaware Tech we are committed to dedicating the resources our military students need to succeed in the classroom and after graduation,” said Brainard. “This designation is a true testament to the tireless efforts of our faculty and staff who are serving more than 2,000 veterans, service members and their families enrolled collegewide this fall.”

Major General Francis D. Vavala of the Delaware National Guard discussed the importance of assistance for veterans and service members pursuing higher education, "I'm so happy and inspired to be here to celebrate two great military accomplishments at Delaware Tech. I know that you are focused on taking care of the men and women of your country. Your creation of a new student veterans group, Veterans Inspiring Progress, is a great thing ... Dr. Brainard truly embodies the term military friendly."

The College also demonstrates its commitment to veterans through dedicated veteran and service member counselors that assist current and veteran service members and their dependents through the process of applying for benefits online, getting tuition bills paid and enrolling in classes.

Delaware Tech has committed to implementing the Department of Education's eight keys to veterans success.

• Ensure consistent and sustained support from campus leadership

• Implement an early alert system to ensure all veterans receive academic, career, and financial advice before challenges become overwhelming

• Coordinate and centralize campus efforts for all veterans, together with the creation of a designated space for them (even if limited in size)

• Collaborate with local communities and organizations, including government agencies, to align and coordinate various services for veterans

• Utilize a uniform set of data tools to collect and track information on veterans, including demographics, retention, and degree completion

• Provide comprehensive professional development for faculty and staff on issues and challenges unique to veterans

• Develop systems that ensure sustainability of effective practices for veterans.

 

 

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