Serving 356 veterans and facilitating 4,416 visits to the College of the Mainland Veterans Center last year, COM has again been named a military friendly school. 

For the fifth year COM was named to the elite Military Friendly Schools list by Victory Media Inc., a media source for military personnel transitioning into civilian life.

The Military Friendly Schools designation is awarded to the top colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students and dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation.

Institutions reviewed for the Military Friendly School title completed a survey of over 100 questions covering 10 categories, including military support on campus, graduation and employment outcomes, and military spouse policies. Survey responses were scored against benchmarks across these key indicators of success.

“Our goal is to help veterans achieve whatever educational goals they have to be successful in life,” said Detra Levige, COM Veterans Officer/ School Certifying Official. “We explain what benefits they may be eligible for. We will help them complete applications – VA benefits, financial aid and scholarships. We listen to them if they have problems in classes or issues with the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding their education benefit or payment to the school. We serve as liaisons with other agencies to assist in helping the veteran receive any additional services to help them transition back into civilian life. It’s our chance to say thank you and show that we are here for them.”

During the year the COM Veterans Center staff assisted veterans with submitting proper VA documentation 1,013 times. The center also experienced 1,146 interactions with veterans, parents and children of veterans, to answer VA educational benefits questions.

The COM Veteran Center’s academic advisor Joel Camacho is a retired Army first sergeant with over 22 years military service. He is able to relate to our veteran population with issues that they may experience during their transition from military back to civilian life and is affectionately referred to as “TOP."  Not only does he advise veterans academically, but he helps undecided students find their interests. He supplies the student with sufficient information to make an informed decision and aids them in selecting a course of study that will best fit employers’ demands.  

COM provides staff dedicated to helping veterans and their spouses and children succeed in education. A Veterans Center serves as a place for veterans to meet with staff, use computers, conduct study groups and use other resources. 

For more information on how COM serves those who serve, visit www.com.edu/veterans.