Veterans & Military Support Raising the Bar from Military-Friendly to Military-Committed There are an estimated 169,474 veterans in Tennessee with no college credit, and another 157,179 veterans in Tennessee with some college credit or an associate degree. U.S. military personnel are among the best-trained workers in the world, and Tennessee’s community and technical colleges are committed to helping them make a smooth transition to higher education and the civilian workforce. Campus Services Provide Reinforcement Our colleges are devoted to creating a supportive environment that helps veterans successfully adapt to academic life. While services may vary from campus to campus, typical assistance includes:

What higher calling can we have than to help the men and women

• Help in understanding and certifying Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense education benefits • Single point of contact • Advising, mentoring and career exploration • Welcome centers, lounges or dedicated spaces for study, social engagement with other veterans, and academic support • Connections to student life through clubs and campus activities • Faculty and staff training programs to improve awareness of

who have served and protected our country make the transition to college and the civilian workforce. We honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans – and we are here to support them and their families. – Dr. Flora W. Tydings Chancellor

veteran-specific issues • Coordination of veteran services with external community and governmental agencies • Preparation for entry into the civilian workforce College Credit for Prior Military Experience To meet the needs of returning U.S. military veterans and reach the Drive to 55 goal of increasing the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary degree or credential to 55 percent by 2025, our colleges are focused on improving the assessment of prior learning for military personnel returning to college. Prior learning assessment (PLA) examines a veteran’s military training and grants equivalent college credit for skill sets, knowledge and certifications acquired while in the service. PLA eliminates redundancy and accelerates time to graduation.

<< After 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Jason Byron attended Chattanooga State and graduated in 2018. He’s currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.

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