Student veterans at Collin receive ‘Gold’-level services

Transitioning from the military to civilian life offers unique challenges for veterans. Collin College works closely with military-connected students and veterans to ensure they achieve their goals, and multiple organizations have recognized the college for the services and environment it offers.

In March, the college was awarded a Military Friendly Schools rank of “Gold” among large community colleges for the 2024-25 awards list published by VIQTORY, publisher of G.I. Jobs® magazine. This is the first time that Collin has been awarded “Gold” by the publication, although it has received “Silver” status many times before.

Collin’s efforts to assist veterans with their post-military transition have also been recognized by the state of Texas and Military Times. The college received gold-level Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Awards (VEERA) from the Texas Veterans Commission in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Collin was named to the Best for Vets: Colleges 2023 rankings by Military Times. It was the 11^th year that the college earned this distinction.

Terica Shepard, an Army veteran, knows the services Collin offers well. As an Army recruiter, she was welcomed at Collin College and was aware of the work Collin’s staff does with veterans. When she retired from the Army, she returned to Collin as a student and saw firsthand how veterans services specialists employed by the college make a difference in student veterans’ lives.

“As a student veteran, I was really happy to see that there was support for us,” Shepard said. “There are a lot of places where you go that they don’t support veterans. Collin does.”

Shepard said that support can begin before student veterans and their families even register. Information about and links to veterans services are available online at www.collin.edu/studentresources/veteransresources, providing potential students with background on the assistance available. Early registration is open to student veterans, and Collin staff can help them with the registration process.

Shepard said that the college’s Veterans Resource Centers (VRCs) are especially helpful to students on campus.

“Anytime I had any issues with my benefits or anything I had to do for my school, that office was there to show me the way,” said Shepard, who is now a student worker in the Wylie Campus VRC and president of the Collin Student Veterans of America chapter. “It can be confusing and a little overwhelming. Having someone help you navigate through it is great.”

In addition to in-person assistance with admission guidance, academic assistance, and other support services, the VRCs are a convenient place for student veterans to socialize with one another. Interacting is an essential aspect of the VRC’s and Collin’s approach to working with student veterans, according to Jacqueline Grayczyk, assistant director of Financial Aid and Veterans Services at Collin.

“Many student veterans find the camaraderie and sense of community with other veterans at these centers to be invaluable,” Grayczyk said. “These centers provide a safe space where veterans can study, enjoy a snack, and be around other student veterans.”