Moraine Valley Community College Receives Governor's Award for Excellence in Veteran Education

Chicago – With a tradition of proven support for veterans, military students and their families, Moraine Valley Community College was presented with the Fall 2013 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Veteran Education, at a ceremony Wednesday, February 5, at the main campus in Palos Hills.

“We salute Moraine Valley Community College for their consistent efforts to support their student veterans,” said IDVA Director Erica Borggren. “Moraine Valley has created programs and policies to assist veterans entering or returning to higher education. Supporting veterans is one of Governor Pat Quinn’s top priorities, and we thank Moraine for their shared commitment to this community of heroes.”

Among many outstanding attributes, the college was recognized for its:

• leadership in a multi-agency state-wide effort, dedicating resources and coordinating military articulation efforts that ensure that student veterans are granted appropriate academic credit for the training and education earned during their military service;
• Veterans Resource Center, an invaluable resource to student veterans providing dedicated staff support and a host of specialized services to service members, veterans and their families that address critical needs in the veteran community;
• Priority Registration for student veterans, ensuring that they can get the courses needed to complete degree requirements before their benefits eligibility end;
• innovative Veterans Orientation Program, which assists veterans in their transition to the student community by providing an overview of college programs and activities; introducing them to college staff who oversee veteran support services; assisting them with scheduling, registration and academic advising; and fostering camaraderie and relationship-building through social activities and small group discussions.

Director Borggren presented the award during Wednesday’s ceremony to Sylvia Jenkins, college president. Faculty, staff, student veterans, and local community leaders attended the event that included a tour of the college’s new veterans center.

“We are proud to receive this award and extremely pleased to have our efforts recognized statewide,” President Jenkins said. “Moraine Valley is committed to serving our veterans and offering them educational opportunities to be successful whether they transfer to a four-year school or enter the workforce after they complete their degree or certificate work with us. I also want to thank the Veterans’ Affairs department for their support of Moraine Valley and our work with our veterans.”

Previous winners include Eastern Illinois University, College of DuPage, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, and Southwestern Illinois College.

The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Veteran Education is presented in the spring and fall of each school year. Nominations are now being accepted for the Spring 2014 term. Illinois colleges or universities that contribute to the betterment of our student veterans and their families are eligible. The nominated school must be a licensed, degree-granting school in the state of Illinois. For more information, please visit the Governor's Award homepage at www.veterans.illinois.gov.