Hillary Smith wears two hats at ACC: The retired army staff sergeant is taking courses that will help him earn a bachelor’s — and ultimately a master’s — degree in social work. Meanwhile, as a veterans liaison for the college, he helps others like him understand how they and their families can take advantage of their military benefits.

The Round Rock Campus offers a study room for student veterans. Hillary Smith and Jeff Coop discuss making the military-to-college transition.

Smith is one of almost 2,000 veterans, active-duty military, and families using VA education benefits at ACC. In fact, the college ranks among the top 1 percent nationwide of postsecondary institutions serving GI Bill recipients.

“As a college, we’re committed to helping our student veterans succeed, regardless of whether they are transferring to a four-year university or re-entering the workforce,” says Dr. Louella Tate, dean of students for the Round Rock Campus. “The Veterans Advisory Committee has created a supportive network of community partnerships to help veterans accomplish their educational goals. We’re eager to have faculty and staff involved in addressing the unique needs of these students.”

Upcoming Events for Faculty & Staff

Several upcoming events will help faculty and staff learn about the challenges veterans face as they transition to college.

Veterans Symposium

Friday, Feb. 28

Highland Business Center

Professional development credit is available. For details or to register, visit the professional development Workshop and Event registration webpage.

Livestream Workshop

A livestream workshop, “Using a Collaborative Approach to Improve Student Veteran Retention and Success” initially planned for Feb. 11 will be rescheduled.

The interactive presentation will focus on student retention, including key issues, challenges, and outcomes. The workshop will help participants understand student veteran demographics, military-to-college transitioning, and the psychosocial and educational needs of student veterans.

A new date will be announced and participants will be able to register on the Workshop and Event registration webpage.

College Credit for Heroes Workshops

Friday, March 21

Highland Business Center, Rm. 301

ACC has partnered with the Texas Workforce Commission’s College Credit for Heroes initiative to award college credit, workforce certifications, and workforce licenses for military experience. Two professional development workshops will give faculty and staff an opportunity to learn about the program.

View details or register on the professional development Workshop and Event registration webpage.

Upcoming Events for Students

Faculty and staff also can help spread the word about upcoming events for military and veteran students.

Veteran’s Resource Fair: ACC will host a Veterans Resource Fair Wednesday, April 9, 1 to 4 p.m., at Eastview Campus. Veterans and their families can learn about educational opportunities, ACC resources, and support services, including VetSuccess on Campus. ACC Veterans Affairs Office specialists will be on hand to help current and prospective students with educational benefits and referrals for counseling or medical services. More than 50 veterans and their families attended ACC’s Veterans Resource Fair in November.

College Credit for Heroes Open House: At the March 28 College Credit for Heroes Open House at Riverside Campus, veterans can learn how they can apply their military training to degrees within ACC’s Electronics and Advanced Technologies Department. For more information or to attend, RSVP to Stephen Keltgen, coordinator, College for Heroes, [email protected].

Ongoing Programs and Initiatives

During the past year ACC has expanded its programs and services for veterans through various initiatives and grants. Learn more at Veterans Fair Highlights New Programs and Services and ACC Receives Walmart Foundation Grant for Veteran Career Training.

For more information about ACC student veterans programs, visit the Military & Veterans webpage or email Tate at [email protected].