DVC’s Second annual veteran’s conference will provide the chance for students who are vets to meet some of their biggest supporters. As a vet I am urging other vets and any students interested in veterans’ student life to attend the event.
Most of us, when we talk about veterans, talk about our grandpas, uncles, or even our fathers. But more than 150 veterans attend DVC classes. They're between 21 and 35 and major in subjects ranging from engineering to English.
They're hybrid citizens who emerge from military service with well-developed leadership qualities and often find it hard to adjust to student life.
Veteran advocates at DVC understand this. In fact, Noha Basilious, Dennis Franco, Niccola Place, and many others are doing something about it.
Like last year, the VA office and DVC student services are holding a conference, this time focused on "The New GI Bill and Successful Transfer Planning."
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Taking part will be transfer reps from UC Berkeley and Davis, VA officials, Troops to College founder and Marine Col. Bucky Peterson, an Iraq student veteran panel, public and private university officials and DVC President, Judy Walters.
I will transfer to UC-Berkeley in the spring and events like these have helped me the most. I met people who cared about my future and gave me advice that helped me succeed. This is why I started the Student Veterans Club – to help veterans adjust to the academic environment and be successful.
Chris Clark, current president of the group, calls the upcoming conference "a real gift to the veteran community…that will undoubtedly help us plan our academic futures."
Peterson, who works with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on the "Troops to College Initiative," helps vets get to the front of the line when transferring to public and state universities. Williams is head of UC-Berkeley's veterans programs and services.
This is a conference no vet should miss.
Please register at www.dvcveterans.org. Lunch will be provided