Finger Lakes Community College Veteran Advocacy Council

Board of Trustees PresentationOctober 2, 2013

Sarah Whiffen, Associate Vice President of Student AffairsCorinne Canough, Director, Educational Planning & Career Services

Accomplishments

• Memorandum of Understanding signed between Canandaigua VA & FLCC regarding the VITAL grant– Allows for consultation and collaboration between two

entities to support veterans throughout the college experience.

• Offered a multi-faceted training to faculty & staff over the course of 2012-2013– Over 20 veteran “advocates” were trained– Each campus center has at least one advocate on staff– Advocate “logo” designed for easy recognition

Programs & Services

• Conducted a session with student veterans to determine how the VA could better support them

• Surveyed current student veterans for needs to better guide our future efforts

• Coordinated a student veteran resume-building workshop in collaboration with the Canandaigua VA and Finger Lakes Works/Ontario County Workforce Development

2013-2014 Happenings

• New Student Orientation had a dedicated orientation leader (student) who worked with student veterans during the program and discussed programs and services on campus for support

• Veteran-focused College Studies Strategies course will be run during the second mini-mester session of fall 2013

• Annual campus Veterans Day Celebration will occur on 11/11/13• Continue to offer advocate training• Update and enhance the FLCC veteran website• Work with VITAL grant to continue service for students on our

campus two-three times per week• Establish FLCC formally as “veteran friendly” status

Why “Veteran-Friendly”?

• Sites are often promoted through the military to active members who will be discharged soon

• Military friendly is a common baseline that allows students to understand what services colleges have that support the veteran

• “Veteran Friendly” is defined in a way that addresses both the institution’s and student’s needs.

Veteran Advocacy Council MembershipDavid Andrews, VITAL Grant supportCorinne Canough, Educational Planning & Career ServicesPatricia Quinlan-Clark, Faculty memberWilliam Cunnane, student & president, veterans’ student clubJennie Erdle, Student LifeRichard Gray, Financial Aid counselor & FLCC certifying officialAndrea Parker, Project Success academic coachJoshua Pollock, studentHeman Sweet, Faculty member & club advisorSarah Whiffen, AVP of Student Affairs