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In the year since its creation, �ʹڶ���’s Office of Veteran Services has flourished to provide a variety of services to Lakers with a military background and their families. To celebrate a year of success and honor armed service members during National Veterans and Military Families Month, the office’s coordinators recently undertook A Celebration of Military Pastimes, hosted a veterans employment fair and reflected on a year of growth.

The result of a three-year grant awarded to establish a veterans success center and assist former armed service members as they readjust to civilian life, the Office of Veteran Services is located in the Auditorium Building and is a branch of the Division of Student Affairs. These students come to �ʹڶ��� with unique needs—they are usually older than typical undergraduates, are more likely to have an established family and often come with significant medical or technical expertise. The office counsels these students on how to apply for VA health and financial aid benefits, advises for class and career goals, and offers computer and printing services.

“I think having a physical space and establishing ourselves as a support team has been really encouraging for veteran students, and our presence has been the deciding factor for a number of prospective students attending �ʹڶ���,” says veteran success advisor Karissa Givens. “We currently have around 70 students we directly support, and I only see that number increasing.”

The office also coordinates ROTC enrollment, honors veteran graduates with a cording ceremony and honors dinner, and hosts job recruitment fairs to help veteran students find employments after completing their degree. Kevin Smith, the office’s director and a former Coast Guardsman, believes these initiatives make �ʹڶ��� a top option in Chicago for veterans seeking a college education.

“I think they’re seeing the incredible number of services we offer, from job fairs to navigating the paperwork so that they can properly apply their benefits,” he says. “We’re quickly establishing ourselves as the most comprehensive institution for veterans in the city, and with the improvements to our office and a more diversified program schedule, I see that reputation continuing to grow.”

This November, in honor of National Veterans and Military Families Month, the office hosted A Celebration of Military Pastimes that allowed attendees to write “thank you” cards for active military members, play games and meet with recruiters. Learn more about the Office of Veteran Services.