Feb. 11, 2011
YORK – Student military veterans at HACC’s York Campus will receive improved services and additional scholarship aid through Celebrating Strength, a pilot program funded by a $25,000 grant from BAE Systems, Inc.
The partnership between the West Manchester Township defense contractor and HACC, which provides support to more student veterans than any other institution of higher learning in the state, will focus on ways to supplement the supporting learning environment for these students to help them achieve their academic and career goals.
“We are thrilled to be the recipient of a grant from BAE Systems to help us better serve the large population of veterans who are students at the York Campus,” said Jean Treuthart, campus vice president.
Of approximately 1,400 veterans served by HACC, 93 of those students attended the York Campus, Treuthart said. HACC also served an additional 152 dependents of veterans, including eight who attended the York Campus.
BAE Systems’ York site is one of the region’s largest employers. Its employees – more than 20 percent of whom are veterans – produce ground combat vehicles and is the predominant supplier to the United States Army’s Heavy Brigade Combat Teams. Numerous employees at the site are HACC graduates.
“Our motto is ‘We Protect Those Who Protect Us,” said BAE Site Executive Todd Harrold. “We’re proud to help meet the needs of America’s armed forces. This partnership with HACC represents a unique win-win opportunity. It’s the chance to extend our mission of service to those who’ve worn the uniform of our nation. And it’s a way we can help further HACC’s role as a leading educational institution which helps equip our region’s workforce with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.”
“HACC’s Office of Military and Veteran Affairs (OMVA) is highly regarded throughout Pennsylvania for its assistance to veterans seeking GI benefits and for its referrals to outside agencies,” Treuthart said. “Lacking, however, is a ‘one-stop shop’ approach to integrate internal HACC services from the veteran’s entry to the college through an individualized career plan developed in concert with HACC counselors and staff at HACC’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.”
BAE’s one-year grant includes $5,000 for staff training, $5,000 to create a support network for veterans and their families through social and other activities, $5,000 for an entrepreneurial boot camp to help veterans capitalize on their unique skill sets, and $10,000 in financial assistance to fill gaps between veterans’ GI Bill coverage and demonstrated need.
BAE Systems is a global defense, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion). For more information, go to www.baesystems.com.
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, was established in 1964 as the commonwealth’s first community college. Today, HACC offers nearly 200 associate and transfer degrees and certificate and diploma programs at campuses in Harrisburg, Gettysburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York. In addition, HACC offers a wide variety of courses, including degree and certificate programs, through its Virtual Campus. HACC has an enrollment of approximately 25,000 credit students and approximately 50,000 students in workforce development and continuing education programs. For more information, go to www.hacc.edu
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