Chemeketa Community College Awarded Grant to Support Veteran Students
Chemeketa Community College has been awarded a $499,969 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to establish a Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success (CEVSS). This recognition highlights the college’s commitment to supporting veterans through comprehensive, trauma-informed services that address their academic, social, and emotional needs.
The grant will enable Chemeketa to enhance its already robust support for student veterans, building on the efforts of Angela Archer, Associate Dean of Academic Advising and First Year Programs, and her team. Archer has been instrumental in growing the Chemeketa Veterans Resource Center and expanding services for this vital student population.
“This grant underscores Chemeketa’s dedication to providing a welcoming, supportive environment for our student veterans,†said Jessica Howard, Ph.D., President and CEO of Chemeketa Community College. “We are honored to lead the way in developing a model Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success that will transform lives and build a brighter future for our veterans and their families.â€
The funding will allow Chemeketa to implement several initiatives aimed at improving student veteran success and graduation rates. Key elements of the program include: Hiring a full-time Veterans Center Coordinator to oversee services and initiatives; providing Green Zone Training for faculty and staff to increase awareness of the challenges veterans face during their transition to civilian and academic life; and also, supplying resources to assist veterans in achieving both academic and personal success. These enhancements will foster stronger peer connections among veterans and ensure that faculty and staff are equipped to support them effectively.
Chemeketa’s efforts reflect its broader mission as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and leader in community college education. The college is dedicated to promoting equity, access, and success for all students, with the new Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success addressing critical priorities such as increasing postsecondary access and completion rates.
The grant also positions Chemeketa as a model for other institutions aiming to strengthen veteran support services. “This funding will allow us to boost student veteran success and graduation rates by fostering meaningful peer connections and providing access to comprehensive services both on campus and within the communities we serve,†the college stated in its announcement.
For over 50 years, Chemeketa Community College has transformed lives and strengthened its community through exceptional learning experiences. Serving 30,000 students annually across multiple campuses in Oregon, the college remains steadfast in its commitment to student success.
This latest recognition highlights Chemeketa’s leadership in veteran support, ensuring that those who have served their country receive the resources they need to thrive academically and personally. With the launch of the Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success, Chemeketa reaffirms its role as a leader in empowering student veterans and their families.
