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August 2009 |
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Operation College Promise is funded in part through a grant from the American Council on Education & the Wal-Mart Foundation Operation College Promise A NJ Association of State Colleges & Universities Initiative 150 West State Street Trenton, New Jersey 08608 609-989-1100 Director of Programs and Policy Analysis – Wendy Lang |
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Student Veterans and Supporters, Operation College Promise (OCP) is a consortial project of the nine state colleges and universities. The initiative expands upon Operation Promise for Servicemembers, an informational resource developed in 2008 to aid servicemembers access the tools necessary to attain their higher educational objectives. In the Spring of 2009, the site was featured in the American Council on Education’s (ACE) publication, Serving Those Who Serve: Making Your Institution Military Friendly.” The program was expanded in April of 2009 after being selected for a competitive grant—one of only 20 awarded nationally—from the American Council on Education and The Wal-Mart Foundation. The primary goals of the expanded program are to provide statewide access to information to encourage servicemembers (both active and separated) utilize their education benefits and hence, ease transition from service to study, as well as to share best practices in meeting the needs of servicemembers among all institutions of higher education. Operation College Promise will highlight the most innovative student veterans programs in the state through workshops focusing on subjects ranging from transfer of credits to managing traumatic brain injuries. In June OCP kicked-off its outreach efforts by participating in the welcome home parade for the 50th Infantry Brigade of the New Jersey National Guard who returned to an enthusiastic and heart-warming celebration in Trenton. Along with the Student Veterans of America (SVA), the Iraqi Afghanistan Veterans Association (IAVA) and Veterans for Education (V4E), OCP representatives offered information and outreach to the nearly 3,000 servicemembers who completed their recent tour(s) in the Middle East. The OCP Advisory Board consists of representatives from each of the nine consortium institutions, as well as student veterans. Since their appointment in June, the group has been evaluating existing programs and services, as well as preparing for New Jersey’s first statewide conference on student veterans services, planned for September 15, 2009. Panel discussions will include such areas as: Post 9/11 GI Bill and other Legislation; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Other Combat-Related Injuries; Transfer of Credit and Participation in the Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC) Program; and Creating a Military Friendly Campus. National experts, including representatives from the American Council on Education (ACE), American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and New Jersey policy leaders have agreed to participate in the day-long dialogue. Major General Glenn K. Rieth, Adjutant General, State of New Jersey will provide the keynote address. To register and view a complete list of participants, go to the OCP website. We hope to see you there! |
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On Campus
Taking a Leap for Our Veterans—My Tour of Fort Bragg (Patrick Shields, Coordinator of Veterans Affairs, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey) - August 3, 2009 My Educator Tour of Fort Bragg in North Carolina, near Fayetteville, has been fascinating because it gave me an inside look as an educator on how a military base for special forces and Rangers/Green Berets is structured. Fort Bragg is home to the 82nd Airborne Division and is one of the US’s most combat ready and active military installations. Fort Bragg is known as the “Home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces.” Read more. Stockton Establishes Veteran Advisory Board—August 3, 2009 The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey has established a Veteran Advisory Board to work in conjunction with the newly-established Office of Veteran Affairs. The panel is comprised of prominent leaders in education, business workforce development and veteran and military affairs. Read more. Stockton Establishes Office of Veterans Affairs to Aid in Outreach to Student Veterans and Active Military The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey announced that it is significantly increasing its outreach efforts to student veterans and active military students. The newly established Office of Veterans Affairs, under the auspices of the Office of the Dean of Students in the Division of Student Affairs, is designed to assist student veterans and active servicemembers with their unique academic needs. Read more. New Jersey City University to Hold “Veterans’ Open House” on August 20; All Veterans and Their Families Welcome—August 6, 2009 New Jersey City University will hold a “Veterans’ Open House” for veterans and their families on Thursday, August 20, 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. in the Michael Gilligan Student Union. The University is located at 2039 Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City. As space is limited, reservations are suggested. Read more. New Jersey City University Launches Expanded Website for Veterans ... Visit website here. New Program Announced at Montclair State for Returning Veterans—March 11, 2009 Montclair State has announced a new program to assist veterans who are returning to college. With veterans and active military personnel already attending classes at Montclair State, this new program has been especially timed to coincide with the new Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Act, which is set to go into effect August 1, 2009. “Montclair State has a history of welcoming returning veterans and providing special services to diverse student groups,” said Karen L. Pennington, vice president for student development and campus life at Montclair State University. “The new program, in preparation for the new GI Bill, moves our effort to a new level with individual counseling and placement based on a vet’s experience and background.” Read more. |
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National News President Signs War Bill Extending VA Benefits to Children of Fallen—June 26, 2009 President Barack Obama signed into law the 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill, which funds US military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and includes a provision to expand GI Bill benefits to children of fallen US soldiers. Read more. Post-9/11 GI Bill Going Smoothly, VA Says—AirForce Times, June 25, 2009 Department of Veterans Affairs Officials expressed confidence that the August 1 launch of the Post-9/11 GI Bill will go smoothly, with the first benefit checks to be cut by the Treasury on August 3. Read more. Department of Defense Announces Transferability Options for “Post 9/11 GI Bill” - DefenseLink, June 23, 2009 The Defense Department announced today its policy for transferring educational benefits to the spouses and children of service members under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which takes effect August 1, 2009. Read more.
New Jersey News Operation College Promise is a Hit—Trenton Times, June 20, 2009 New Jersey colleges joining forces to assist returning veterans. Nine state colleges and universities have formed an advisory group on programs and services for veterans and New Jersey National Guard members who recently returned from Iraq. Operation College Promise will highlight student veterans programs in the state through workshops focusing on subjects ranging from transfer of credits to managing traumatic brain injuries.
NJ Colleges Join Forces to Assist Returning Veterans—Trenton Times, June 13, 2009 Several state colleges and universities have formed an advisory group on programs and services for veterans and New Jersey National Guard members who recently returned from Iraq. Read more.
Counseling Services Available to Help Returning Soldiers Adjust—NJ.Com, May 28, 2009 For the men and women returning home from their yearlong deployment in Iraq this week, the transition from combat to civilian life may be a rocky one, full of anxiety and unforeseen changes. In preparation for these challenges, military and health officials announced a huge mental health initiative. Read more. |
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On June 12, 2009 New Jersey celebrated a historic landmark with the honoring of over 3,000 recently returning New Jersey National Guardsman. Such a heartfelt return is only fitting as testament to the sacrifices they have made over the past year. To see more about the parade and welcome, click here. |
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Shown from left to right: Bryan Markward (Political Advisor, Veterans for Education); Bryan Adams (Purple Heart Veteran, President, Veterans for Education); Andrew Barrot (Historian, Veterans for Education); Wendy Lang (Project Director, Operation College Promise); Derek Blumke (President, Student Veterans Association); and Peter Meijer (Military & Veterans Club at Columbia University) |
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The Veterans Association has created a tool that will give you a rough estimate of the benefit you will receive under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Estimator will ask you to enter some data, and will use that information to provide you with an estimate of your payments. Check it out! |
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