Chez Veterans Center

Building Community Among Student Veterans

Residents of the Chez Veterans Center consistently affirm that the community and relationships they form contribute widely to their success. For many of these residents, living in the Center would not be possible without the generous support of donors. CVC resident Jay Estes noted, “residing in a community with peers who share similar experiences has been invaluable. We face common challenges and uncertainties, and the CVC has become a platform for discussing and addressing these issues. This has eased anxieties associated with college life and fostered cultural exchange and understanding through its diversity.” For Jay, the scholarship he received to live at the center eased the financial burden, allowing him to focus on his studies. He said, “It’s a humbling experience to know that there are others rooting for me and providing me with the best chance to be successful. This motivation drives me to excel academically, take on leadership roles and give back to the community.”

The Impact of the Ronald D. Paulsgrove Student Support Fund

Susan and Michael Haney established the Ronald D. Pauls grove Student Support Fund as a way to help with the unique needs of veterans who are transitioning to civilian and student life. Established in memory of Susan’s cousin, the fund provides support beyond the cost of tuition. Noting the impact of the fund, CVC Director of Operations and Services Andy Bender said, “to extend those gifts and those benefits beyond just tuition really gets to the heart of what our students need. It’s going to have a lasting impact on a lot of our students and help them achieve their academic goals.” In its inaugural year, the scholarship was awarded to two students. Recipient Jacob Means was able to participate in extracurricular activities and focus on his academic work. Scholarship support such as the Ronald D. Paulsgrove Fund not only alleviates the financial burdens for students pursuing full-time study, but it also instills confidence in their ability to persevere.

Warrior-Scholar Project Creates Transformative Experiences

The Chez Veterans Center partnered with the Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) to provide a fully-funded, two-week college preparatory program for enlisted service members. Enrolling 15 veterans and six fellows in July 2023, the program offered skills such as a STEM-based curriculum, strategic reading and writing instruction, note-taking techniques, test preparation, syllabus analysis and orientation to campus resources taught by university faculty and instructors. Mike Lanpolsaen, Military and Veteran Organization Outreach Manager for the Warrior-Scholar Project, has witnessed hundreds of veterans gain transformative, life-changing experiences in WSP. Noting that the Chez Veterans Center embodies the “gold standard” in partnerships with WSP, he cited that 92% of WSP alumni have gotten a degree (or are about to graduate), as compared to the 78% graduation rate of student veterans nationwide. Lanpolsaen said, “it boosts their confidence about applying to schools—not just applying, but to complete a rigorous four-year degree program.” Learn more about the Warrior-Scholar Project.