Stories @ TCAT

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) – Dickson & Clarksville Campus has become the first TCAT to earn the distinction of Veterans Education Transition Support (VETS) Campus from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC).

The college, which currently has an estimated 120 veterans enrolled, received notification of the designation approval on August 11, 2021, joining the ranks with four-year institutions and community colleges to become one of 28 VETS campuses in the state of Tennessee.

“Our college is honored to serve the veterans who have served our country so well,” said TCAT President Arrita Summers.  “This designation is representative of our ongoing efforts to support and equip veterans in every way that we can.”

Gregg Crawford, Director of Veterans Transition and Outreach for THEC, made the official presentation to President Summers during the Clarksville campus graduation ceremony on August 18.

“We are proud TCAT Dickson and President Summers took on the challenge of becoming the very first Tennessee College of Applied Technology to achieve the Tennessee VETS campus designation,” said Ken Hanson, THEC’s Senior Director of Veterans Education. “They are always looking for better ways to support their students, but now they have committed to the next level of support for veterans and the military community.”

The Clarksville campus, situated close to Ft. Campbell, recently added a senior staff member, Special Industry Coordinator Warren Thompson, to work in coordination with the Campbell Strong Workforce Development Project Manager and industry contacts to address the needs of veterans in their transition from the military into training programs at the Clarksville campus and, ultimately, to achieving successful placement in civilian jobs.

“(Veterans) bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our institutions, and TCAT Dickson’s VETS Campus designation exemplifies their dedication to helping them succeed,” said Robert Denn, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Veterans Coordinator for the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR).

The Tennessee VETS Act, passed in 2014, established the program to recognize higher education institutions that allocate resources for veterans’ successful transition from military service to college enrollment.

The designation is awarded to colleges that deliver six specific services to create a supportive environment where student veterans can thrive while pursuing their education:

  • an annual survey to assess needs of veterans
  • educating faculty and staff about military and veteran culture
  • orientation programs specifically geared toward veterans
  • outreach strategies for military bases near the campus
  • a process to grant prior credit for military training, and
  • providing a campus website with information to specifically assist and support student veterans.

Veterans interested in programs offered at TCAT should contact Lisa Sullivan at (931) 572-1694 (Clarksville campus) or Cary Oliver at (615) 441-6220 (Dickson campus); or visit https://tcatdickson.edu/current-students/veterans-information-and-servic...

 

TCAT Dickson serves as the state provider of workforce development and hands-on technical training in Dickson and the surrounding counties.  For more information, please visit www.tcatdickson.edu.