Three-year grant will enhance services, foster belonging, and improve outcomes for student veterans.

Salem, Ore., Month Day, Year — Chemeketa Community College is proud to announce that it has been awarded a highly competitive Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success (CEVSS) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This $499,969  grant, is a testament to the exceptional work of Angela Archer, Associate Dean of Academic Advising and First Year Programs and her team in growing the Chemeketa Veterans Resource Center and expanding support for student veterans.

The funding will allow Chemeketa to be recognized for their excellence in service to student veterans and to enhance its support services for veterans through a comprehensive, trauma-informed approach that addresses the academic, social, and emotional needs of this vital student population. The grant will fund:

• A Full-Time Veterans Center Coordinator to oversee services and initiatives.
• Green Zone Training for faculty and staff to increase awareness of the challenges faced by veterans.
• Supplies for Student Support to assist veterans in achieving academic and personal success.

The new Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success will serve as a model program further strengthening Chemeketa’s commitment to supporting veterans and their families.

Transforming Veteran Support Through Innovative Programs

Through this grant, Chemeketa Community College will enhance support for those who have honorably served our country. This funding will allow us to boost student veteran success and graduation rates by fostering meaningful peer connections and providing access to comprehensive services both on campus and within the communities we serve. Additionally, we will equip our faculty and staff with specialized training to better understand the unique challenges and barriers student veterans face as they transition to civilian life, ensuring they receive the support and resources they deserve.

A Commitment to Equity and Success

As a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a leader in community college education, Chemeketa’s efforts through this grant align with its mission to promote equity, access, and success for all students. The program addresses key priorities by meeting veterans’ social, emotional, and academic needs, increasing postsecondary access and completion rates, and creating a sustainable framework for veteran support.

“This grant underscores Chemeketa’s dedication to providing a welcoming, supportive environment for our student veterans,” said Jessica Howard, Ph.D., President and CEO of Chemeketa Community College. “We are honored to lead the way in developing a model Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success that will transform lives and build a brighter future for our veterans and their families.”

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For more than 50 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves 30,000 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI).

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.