The Felsberg Veterans Memorial Plaza at the Modesto Madique Campus
Stephanie Valentine/ Contributing Writer
FIU has been distinguished as one of the top academic institutions, according to the U.S. Veterans Magazine for the support it has provided veterans and military-affiliated students.
This list has been recognized among a handful of other schools in the state of Florida for the extensive resources allocated to help enrolled veterans succeed in and out of the classroom.
The Colleges of Distinction Military honors institutions that support college veterans whose mission statement is to help students from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences find the best well-rounded, inspiring undergraduate education for them.
The distinction made was selected from the best colleges in the United States who support military students’ interest to help with their search for a college or university.
Matthew Debord is a former U.S. Marine and current FIU panther. As a board member of the FIU chapter of the Students Veterans of America club, he has been called upon countless times to represent veterans’ affairs on campus.
The Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (VMA), where Debord currently works to ensure the academic success for all military students, provides their community with a number of supportive academic and personal resources.
The VMA provides a number of comprehensive “military-friendly” services by helping veteran students navigate the ins and out of their academic lives, as well as access benefits from the GI bill for tuition assistance, healthcare, and counselling, etc.
“We need to make sure that veterans are having smoother transitions to start a mentorship program to help oncoming veterans that are transitioning out of the military to help them get set up on campus,” said Debord.
But most important, according to Debord, was the sense of community that the participation in these organizations provided for him and other veterans which is extremely important for their well being, particularly when they are transitioning back to civilian life.
Debord commented on the camaraderie of veterans clubs, “It’s great to know there are other veterans pursuing higher education and you’re not the only one on campus, although it may feel like that in some of the classes.”
The 2020 Veterans Appreciation Week will run a number of hybrid-virtual events from Nov. 8 through the 13.
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