Veteran Resource Partnerships Expand Student Support
Generous donations inspire new endowed scholarships, add new state and national partnerships.
By Ashley Drake, Don & Ellie Knauss Veteran Resource & Support Center
Despite a challenging 2020, the Don & Ellie Knauss Veteran Resource & Support Center (VRSC) continues to grow and expand its support to student veterans across Texas A&M campuses. New additions to the VRSC include a new U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership representative, new state and national partnerships, multiple generous donations as a part of a matching campaign, and breaking ground on a new and improved office suite.
Development
Since it opened in 2012, development has been a large factor in the success of the VRSC and its impact on student veterans. The VRSC continues to benefit tremendously from the generosity and support of donors, especially that of Don and Ellie Knauss of Sugar Land, Texas. Since fall 2016, the couple has donated $1.9 million. All of these funds were used to establish endowed veterans scholarships. In February 2020, they pledged another $5 million. As part of their gift, Don and Ellie designated $500,000 toward a matching fund campaign designed to encourage other donor contributions for endowed veterans’ scholarships. So far, these matching funds have led to 20 new endowed scholarships from a wide variety of donors that will assist deserving Aggie student veterans. Many of these donors have leveraged these matching funds to make their first major gift to Texas A&M, including former students, faculty, and employees.
Retired Lt. Col. Dave Fujimoto '17, director of development for veteran affairs, used the matching fund campaign to honor his fellow Aggie veterans.
“I thought it would only be proper to follow Don & Ellie’s example and use my ‘treasure’ to also support veterans," Fujimoto said. "My job supporting the VRSC allows me to share my time and talent. What was missing was the treasure. It seemed to be a fitting conclusion to the campaign by using the last bit of the matching funds to create my own endowed Aggie Veterans Honor Scholarship. Since I am a Bush School graduate, I will direct my scholarship to Bush School students or undergraduates studying political science. Our country and community need more veterans to continue their service in either politics, the government, or non-profits.”
This support continues to make Aggieland the destination of choice for our nation’s veterans in pursuit of a college degree and provides much of the funding for the following programs:
VetSuccess on Campus and VITAL Partnerships
Texas A&M University is one of only two institutions in the nation to house representatives for both VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) and Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL), both of which are part of the VRSC.
The VetSuccess on Campus program aims to help veterans, service members, and their qualified dependents succeed and thrive through a coordinated delivery of on-campus benefits assistance and counseling, leading to completion of their education and preparing them to enter the labor market in viable careers. Through the program, the U.S. Veteran's Administration is strengthening partnerships with institutions of higher learning and creating opportunities to help veterans achieve success by providing outreach and transition services during their transition from military to college life. VSOC counselors ensure that veterans receive the support and assistance needed to pursue their educational and employment goals. These counselors are easily accessible on campuses, which helps to quickly resolve any problems that could potentially interfere with a veteran's educational program. Texas A&M’s VSOC counselor is Jimmie Rogers.
The Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program provides support to veterans during their transition from military service to university life. VITAL provides a full range of counseling services that are designed to assist veterans in maximizing their unique strengths, skills, and life experiences, so that the veteran may achieve their full academic potential. A partial list of VITAL services includes; readjustment counseling, stress and anger management, depression, or test anxiety counseling, or other concerns which the veteran may identify. Confidentiality is maintained at all times. Texas A&M’s VITAL coordinator is Fred Washington.
"Our country and community need more veterans to continue their service in either politics, the government, or non-profits."
David Fujimoto ’17
Lt. Col, USAF, Ret.
Director of Development for Veteran Affairs
Texas A&M University
State and National Partnerships
In 2020, the VRSC seized numerous opportunities to create new partnerships to better serve well those who have served. The VRSC joined ranks with Service 2 School to facilitate the transition of highly qualified service members and veterans by helping them gain admission to the best college or graduate school possible. This partnership has already connected numerous veterans with our robust Military Admissions Office to best align their inherent strengths with premier academic options in Aggieland.
This year, the VRSC joined the American Talent Initiative Veteran Community of Practice. In this partnership, the VRSC helps to: improve access and success of veterans; share best practices about recruiting and enrolling veterans, and supporting them once they are on campus; report data on veterans’ enrollment and success; and press for changes that will improve veterans’ college choices.
The VRSC also joined the Council on Military Transition to Education (CMTE) in a collaborative effort by a select group of higher education institutions to improve access to quality education for veterans and transitioning service members. CMTE also provides recommendations to the Department of Defense (DoD) and other relevant bodies and agencies on policies and practices related to military service members and veterans transitioning to and participating in higher education.
New VRSC collaboration also includes work with the Bush Institute Military Service Initiative Stand-To program, examining research and solutions that will equip veterans and their families with the resources necessary to continue their service as leaders in our country. The VRSC also expanded the existing partnership with Combined Arms to assist in building the new Texas Veterans Network. This network will ensure Texas is the first and only fully interconnected state in the country for veterans and their families.
Together, these partnerships will accelerate Texas A&M’s ability to maximize the leadership potential of our student veterans in their future service to our state, nation, and world.
New VRSC Construction
Construction for the new Don & Ellie Knauss Veteran Resource & Support Center is underway. Substantial completion is scheduled for the week of May 17. We would like to extend a great deal of gratitude to all of the contractors working to make this a one-of-a-kind facility for Aggie veteran support. Stay tuned for the announcement of the grand opening celebration, tentatively set for late summer.
The Veteran Resource & Support Center at Texas A&M University identifies, develops, and provides uniquely tailored services that enhance academic success and holistic development of veterans and military-affiliated students (active duty, reserve, National Guard, military families, and survivors). To learn more, visit aggieveterans.tamu.edu.
To financially partner with the VRSC and Aggie student veterans, email David Fujimoto, '17, director of development for veterans affairs.