By Nicole Benoit | Observer Contributor
Many colleges in the area have services or offices specifically for veterans. These services provide plenty of help with advising, counseling, and disability. Bringing in outside support systems from outside of the college is another way they help.
Located at Mount Wachusett Community College is a Veterans Success Center run by Robert Mayer. If a veteran is looking for help with anything school related, or just needs someone to talk to, then this is where they would go. Help for students isn’t the only thing provided, trying to educate faculty on certain issues so they can also help and understand their students in class is another reason schools have this service.
Last March, MWCC hosted a training session for faculty and staff. At this training they could learn about how veterans have a difficult time adjusting to coming back to civilian life.
“We have about 240 veteran students,” said Mayer. “We provide all kinds of advice. I am not a psychologist, but I am often the first point of contact. When necessary I can refer the student to our own college counselor/psychologist, Melissa Manzi, or a number of outside agencies such as the VA, Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, or SAVE (Statewide Advocacy for Veteran Empowerment.”
Mayer stated that “Veterans come to me as needed. There is a separate student group called Veterans and Allies that meets every other week.”
Mark Ramos is one of the veterans that attends MWCC. Although he is not part of any groups there, he still goes to the Veteran Success Center when he needs help with anything.
While attending school, he has a part-time job, and a son. “I try really hard to focus on school. I try not to put a lot of emphasis on my job. I do what I’m supposed to do but I don’t feel the need to go above and beyond because it’s not a long-term solution for me,” said Ramos.
Coming back for Ramos was “very nerve-racking, because I was not a very good student in high school. I did not really want to go back to college, but not having a degree was becoming a massive roadblock for employment options and opportunities.” Ramos also stated that his wife is “very supportive of me going and finishing school.”
Most veterans, like Ramos, who are just getting out of the military, and dealing with stress, start at a community college. Having these services can provide the help needed to become successful in the civilian and college life.
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