MCC to honor veterans with new campus educational centers

Mohave Community College is honoring veterans by creating educational centers solely for them.

The college created a Veterans Center on the Kingman campus this fall, and just announced it will create similar centers for veterans on the Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City campuses.

The Veterans Centers will all be in the campus libraries and are set aside exclusively for MCC students who are veterans, or family members of veterans.

Inside each center are computers, study and reading areas, and resource boards that include local information for veterans.

“We’ve had great feedback from veterans who use the Kingman campus center, and we’re excited to expand this service to veterans in Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City,” said Jimi Hammond, MCC veterans services coordinator.

You can view a video of the reaction to the Kingman Veterans Center from veterans and family members of veterans at the bottom of this web story. 

Hammond applied for and received a $5,000 grant for the Kingman center from the non-profit group Support Education & Employment for Vets, known as S.E.E.4VETS. 

S.E.E.4VETS is based out of Scottsdale, Arizona and collaborates with community colleges in shaping and implementing programs to help veterans earn higher education degrees and certificates.  

Hammond hopes the centers will also raise awareness in the community about the great educational services MCC provides veterans.

MCC is recognized by the Veterans Administration as a Principles of Excellence School.

“It means we follow all the guidelines set by the V.A.,” she said. “That includes making sure they have access to excellent higher education and providing them with a lot of information about the educational and financial options available for veterans.”

Many veterans are unaware they can use their V.A. benefits and still receive financial aid and other tuition assistance, such as grants and scholarships, Hammond said.

The Veterans Centers on the college campuses are also located close to the school’s Student Success Centers, which offer free tutoring and other educational and life assistance for MCC students.

The college also has student-led Veterans Clubs on the Kingman and Lake Havasu campuses.  Students who are veterans on the Bullhead City campus are considering starting a club there, said Hammond. 

Currently, MCC is serving approximately 200 local veterans in Mohave County.

For more information about the services available for veterans calls 1-866-MOHAVECC, or 1-866-664-2832.  You can also find more information on the veterans services section of the college website www.Mohave.edu.