TCAT Jackson earns VETS Campus certification, increasing to 18 Tennessee community & TCATs certified as VETS Campuses

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson earned VETS Campus certification by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, certifying the college’s commitment to programs and services to help veterans succeed as they pursue their education.

The VETS Campus program was established by the Tennessee Veterans Education Transition Support (VETS) Act, enacted by the state legislature in 2014 to assist veterans of military service in continuing their educations. The Act details a rigorous set of seven programs, requirements and qualifications that colleges and universities must meet to earn VETS Campus certification.

Veterans and active-duty military personnel may be eligible to earn academic credit for their military training and experience, depending on the applicability of the credit to their chosen program, under provisions of the Act.

Generally, the Act requires colleges to prioritize outreach to veterans, allocate resources for their successful transition from military service to college, and successfully deliver services that create a supportive environment where student veterans can prosper while pursuing their education.

"I am proud of the work the TCAT Jackson team has done to obtain the VETS designation. At TCAT Jackson, service to our veterans population is a priority, and this designation will enhance our ability to serve and care for the folks who have sacrificed for our country," TCAT President Heath McMillian said.

TCAT Jackson’s certification increase to 18 the number of colleges in the College System of Tennessee officially designated as VETS Campuses – including all 13 community colleges and five technical colleges. While all remaining Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology are working to earn VETS Campus Certification, they are already working closely with veterans to help them achieve their goals for college success. 

Specific requirements of the VETS Act include mentoring and support programs for student veterans; creating and maintaining a process for assessing prior learning that grants academic credit to veterans for transferable training and experience attained through their military service; conducting annual surveys of student veterans’ views, needs, issues and suggestions; providing special orientation programs for student veterans; special outreach to veterans, and more.

TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings has prioritized service to veterans across the system. In addition to encouraging all colleges in the system to earn the VETS Campus certification, she established the Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans, which honors veterans in the campus communities annually during the colleges’ Veterans Day observances, and established a system-level veterans service office to assist veterans and the colleges. 

“Our college communities are strengthened by the presence of veterans and active-duty personnel as students, faculty, staff and alumni,” Dr. Tydings said. “They and the experience and perspective they bring are an important part of the broad diversity of people and backgrounds on our campuses that benefits everyone. We are committed to serving them and I thank our presidents, faculty and entire campus communities for their work in ensuring that veterans are served and welcomed.” 

Additional information on financial assistance, academic credit for military training and experience and other resources for veterans is available at https://www.tbr.edu/student-success/veterans-and-military-families-support