Freda Pillow, Columbia State Career, Veteran and Transfer Center coordinator, recently served as a panelist on an inaugural Tennessee Higher Education Commission webinar for colleges recognized for providing exceptional support and resources for military veterans and their families.

Columbia State is one of 13 community colleges around the state that have received the Veterans Education Transition Support (VETS) designation.

“This designation affirms our dedication to providing comprehensive support and resources to those who have served in the military,” Pillow said. “It recognizes the impactful work being done daily, to ensure that our student-veterans succeed —academically and personally — at Columbia State. More than a title, the VETS Campus designation represents a collective commitment. It says to our student-veterans, and to their spouses, and their dependents, ‘We are here to serve you — just as you have served us.’”

The webinar featured conversations with representatives from several Tennessee community colleges and universities on the topic of “What It Means to Be a VETS/VETS Bravo Campus.” The panelists included representatives from both public and private institutions who shared their insights, best practices and experiences in building veteran support systems on the campus.

Panelists included:

• Freda Leslie Pillow, coordinator, Career, Veteran and Transfer (CVT) Center, Columbia State Community College
• Retired U.S. Army Col. Daniel Bishop, director, Office of Military and Veteran Services, East Tennessee State University
• Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Walt Lord, vice president for Military and Veterans Affairs, Austin Peay State University
• Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Jim Getman, director of Veterans Services, Maryville College
• Matt Shirley, compliance and Veterans Affairs school certifying official, TCAT Pulaski
• Kathleen Staple, director of Veteran Initiatives, Academic Affairs and Workforce Alignment, Tennessee Higher Education Commission
• Tracy Comer, senior director of Articulation and Transfer, Academic Affairs and Workforce Alignment, Tennessee Higher Education Commission
• Julie Roberts, chief academic officer, Tennessee Higher Education Commission

For more information on veterans’ services and military-related support for students at Columbia State, visit our website at ColumbiaState.edu/veterans.

For more information on THEC’s VETS and VETS Bravo designations, click here.