Congressman Joe Courtney and seven Second Congressional District colleges and universities announced a new higher education initiative to make college more accessible to veterans.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A LIST OF VETERANS BENEFITS PROVIDED BY SECOND DISTRICT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. Those with a bold ‘will’ are new benefits provided at the urging of Congressman Joe Courtney.
Courtney was joined by representatives of the participating colleges and universities in the Second Congressional District, and student veterans from throughout the district.
Courtney secured a commitment from his district’s colleges and universities to make higher education more affordable and accessible for veterans. The institutions have agreed to adopt various new admissions and retention policies, including instant or expedited admissions decisions, exempting veterans from admissions fees, providing veterans’ specific admissions and guidance counselors, and other assistance. Each school determined its own new policies after suggestions were offered by Courtney.
Congressman Courtney is a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, and hopes his effort will help returning troops to take advantage of the new GI Bill passed by Congress in 2008. These new Second District specific benefits are in addition to any benefits offered by the new GI Bill.
Congressman Courtney was joined by Debbi Newton, NGACT Legislative Chairman, CT National Guard Association, Rusty Meek, Veterans of Foreign Wars, State Commander, and John Hollis, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Legislative Committee.
Student veterans Greg Vaughn, Asnuntuck Community College, U.S. Army Specialist, Stafford Springs resident and James Harkaly, Quinebaug Valley Community College, U.S. Army Specialist, Ashford resident were on hand to share their stories about the benefits of the GI Bill.
Representatives of the following colleges and universities participating in the press conference:
M. Dolan Evanovich, University of Connecticut, Vice President Enrollment Planning, Management & Institutional Research
Dr. Michael Pernal, Eastern Connecticut State University, Executive Vice President
Jim Wilkinson, Asnuntuck Community College, Professor, Veteran
Renee Fournier, Mitchell College, Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Karin Edwards, Three Rivers Community College, Dean of Students
Diane Williams, Quinebaug Valley Community College, President,
Deborah P. MacDonnell, Connecticut College, Director of Public Relations
