By Amanda Sotelo, TSTC Staff
The continual support and services Texas State Technical College offers to its military service members, veterans and their dependents has earned the college a silver-level Military Friendly Schools recognition for the sixth year in row.
“This recognition means that TSTC is providing the services necessary to help our military and veteran population during a transitional period in their lives,” said Steve Guevara, TSTC Veteran Services director. “Our college’s military initiatives are being honored for their standard of excellence.”
Now a statewide recognition, TSTC’s Harlingen campus was the first to receive the honor in 2013 with the campus’ inception of the Veterans Center.
“It’s a rigorous process to receive this honor,” said Guevara. “It’s at least 100 requirements we have to meet and to prove that we go above and beyond with our services.”
The recognition comes from VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities.
According to a press release by VIQTORY, its Military Friendly Schools list in its 10th year and has set the standard for higher education institutions to provide the best opportunities for veterans and their spouses.
This year more than 1,000 schools participated nationwide with only 625 schools earning the designation.
TSTC serves more than 700 military service members, veterans and their dependents statewide.
The TSTC Veteran Services office and its Veterans Centers are a centralized, one-stop shop for military service members, veterans and their dependents to get support with admissions, financial aid, GI Bill and Hazelwood Act benefits and processes, in addition to providing internal and external services and referrals to ensure a successful college experience.
The Veterans Center also serves as a meeting site to unite students who have served, or had family that served the nation in any branch of the military during war or peacetime, and to promote a feeling of energy, support and knowledge to face challenges together.
“Our goal is to help those who have served our country in the best way possible by providing support and resources for them to begin their education,” said Guevara. “We want to help them find success at TSTC and beyond.”
To learn more about TSTC’s Veteran Services, call 956-364-4385, or stop by the office during TSTC’s next Open House on March 12.
