Support Education and Employment for Vets (S.E.E.4VETS) Provides Funding to Central Arizona College to Assist in Veterans
PINAL COUNTY, AZ – S.E.E.4VETS recently provided $7,600 to Central Arizona College (CAC) for the Stars and Stripes Scholarship. This scholarship is designed to assist students who have served our country and their families with the costs associated in achieving educational success at CAC.
Ian Parkinson, S.E.E.4VETS Vice Chairman – Elect stated, “For each student with the title of veteran, there is a story of sacrifice. They swore an oath to protect our homeland and would do so even if it meant giving their last breath in the name of service. For all of us, they sacrificed, and why it is our imperative to assist them through their academic pursuits toward an even greater future. We admire the efforts Central Arizona College has put forth for their student veterans, and we are proud to be a partner in continuing to give back to their student veterans.”
GateWay Community College (GWCC) Veterans Scholarship Makes STEM Field More Accessible, Phoenix, AZ, May 23, 2022
For Veterans about to enter the workforce after their service, finding the right career or educational path can be challenging. According to a Strategic Plan put together by the White House, Veterans often do not realize that their military-trained skills can easily translate into Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) careers.
So it’s no wonder that when GCC’s Veterans Services Center started offering a dedicated STEM scholarship to their Veteran students and eligible dependents, the program took off. The scholarship is funded through donations ($20,000) made by S.E.E.4VETS, an organization that partners with community colleges to help shape and implement programs that offer workforce opportunities to Veterans.
In the photography are Dr. Amy Diaz, President, GWCC and Rusty Findley, USAF, Lt. Gen. Retired & Vice Chairman of the Board, S.E.E.4VETS
Big check presentation at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC)
The Veteran Upward Bound (VUB) received a generous gift from non-profit and Arizona-based organization S.E.E.4Vets. A longtime supporter of scholarships for veterans in pursuit of a certificate or degree in higher education at TMCC, they have once again offered this group of students the means to attain scholarships for years to come.
In addition, please see press release concerning the VUB program.
Colleges collaborate to establish an ITVets program
Knowing that IT certified professionals are in demand, Estrella Mountain Community College and Glendale Community College collaborated to establish the IT4Vets program. The program will not only assist in providing scholarships, but encourage student Veterans to pursue a solid education, acquire technical skills and certification necessary to compete and fill critical IT positions.
S.E.E.4VETS is honored to be part of this invaluable collaboration and issued a $10,000 Grant to each college to offer scholarships to student Veterans.
In the photo from left to right are Monica Castaneda, VP Student Affairs, Glendale Community College; Ray Torres, Chairman, SEE4VETS; and Dr. Rey Rivera, President, Estrella Mountain Community
College
S.E.E.4Vets Creates Endowed Scholarship for Veterans at Yavapai College
The Scottsdale-based organization has created the S.E.E.4VETS Veteran Legacy Endowment with the Yavapai College Foundation. The $20,000 endowed scholarship program will provide funding support for qualified U.S. military veterans seeking to continue their education at Yavapai College.
“Our partnership with S.E.E.4VETS has blossomed over the years and their support has grown to nearly $40,000 in scholarships to veterans at Yavapai College as of 2021.” Jane Hersh, YC’s District Director of Veterans Education and Transition Services, said. “The S.E.E.4Vets Legacy Fund endowment will not only solidify continued support but will broaden our common interest dedicated to helping those who have served our country excel in college and in life.
In the photo from left to right: Peter Palmer, US Army, Brig.G. (Ret.) & SEE4VETS Board member, Rusty Findley. USAF, Lt.Gen. (Ret) & SEE4VETS Vice Chairman of the Board, Dr. Lisa B. Rhine, President, Yavapai College, Jane Hersh, District Director of Veterans Education and Transition Service, Yavapai College & Mary Talosi, Executive Director, Yavapai College Foundation.
A Special Tribute to Afghanistan Veterans
Board member Ian Parkinson was invited by Southwest Veteran Chamber of Commerce (SWVCC) leadership to speak at the chamber lunch, August 24, 2021. Ian served as an infantryman, achieved the rank of sergeant, and served two overseas assignments: South Korea (non-combat), and Afghanistan (combat). While in Afghanistan, Ian lost both of his legs due to an IED (improvised explosive device). Notable awards/decorations include Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and Jump Wings.
He received a standing ovation, about 50 in attendance, and many in the audience stood in line to talk to him after the meeting. A Gold Star Mother introduced herself to him and gave him a huge hug…quite moving!
In the photo are Tom Sheets, USMC, Col. (Vet), Executive Director of SWVCC and Ian Parkinson…Ian receive a plaque for speaking at the chamber luncheon.
Hero of Education and College Heroes, Glendale, AZ
On April 7, Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation held a virtual event to recognize Hero of Education and College Heroes. Glendale Community College chose S.E.E.4Vets as its 2020 College Heroes of Education.
Background…Maricopa Community Colleges and the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation since 2006 have honored an outstanding community leader as their Hero of Education at the annual Heroes of Education Dinner. Recently, a new element was added to the program – College Heroes Recognition
TPC – Scottsdale, Champions Course
S.E.E.4VETS held it 9th Annual Golf Tournament on May 13, 2022. Had 136 players and many loyal sponsor supporters. Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar provided the delicious appetizers; Antigua supplied the quality Polo shirts; Chick-fil-A provided the box lunch and Hailey Ostrom challenged players to beat her closest to the pin; and Mercer Estates Wine hosted the beer & non-alcoholic beverages.
Video credit: Sean Green, Bonus Round Media, LLC. Thank you Sean.
Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, NV
Several community colleges contacted S.E.E.4VETS to inform the organization how they were handling the closed campus, no classroom instructions and turning to technology to continue the instruction process. Truckee Meadows Community College produced a short video to illustrate online learning for their Veteran Upward Bound student veterans.
Montana State University, Northern, Havre, Montana
The university operates a statewide Veterans Upward Bound project. They were awarded $800/veteran or six veterans, or $4800 in the form of scholarships in academic year 2019-2020. The “bridge funding” serves as a head start for them to enroll at a community college of their choice. In addition, the VUB project will use the additional $2500 award for the Math Tutoring Program at their Technical College.
Rusty Findley, USAF, Lt. Gen. (Ret.), Vice Chairman of the Board, S.E.E.4VETS presented the $7300 check to Greg Kegel, Chancellor, Montana State University, Northern
Mohave Community College, Kingman, AZ
Rusty Findley, Vice Chairman of the Board, USAF, Lt.Gen.(Ret.) and Ray Torres, Chairman of the Board, S.E.E.4VETS had the privilege and honor to present a $12,814 check to Diana Stithem, Interim President, Mohave Community College (MCC) to help fund new Veterans Centers on campuses in Bullhead City, Kingman and Lake Havasu City. The MCC Kingman Veterans Center was created fall 2018. It was so successful that the Lake Havasu City campus and Bullhead City campus Veterans Centers were added spring 2019 with full support from S.E.E.4VETS. Please click on video produced by MCC.
Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, NV
Rusty Findley, Vice Chairman of the Board, USAF, Lt.Gen.(Ret.) and Ray Torres, Chairman of the Board, S.E.E.4VETS had the privilege and honor to present a $5,000 check to Dr. Karin Hilgersom, President, Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) to fund the Veterans Upward Bound program (VUB). Please click on video produced by TMCC.
Glendale Community College, Glendale, AZ
S.E.E.4VETS has been supporting veteran students at Glendale Community College (GCC) since fall 2015. The math department at GCC offers MAT 108, which is a tutored-structured math class taken concurrent with a regular math course. This type of course is not GI Bill eligible, so it becomes the responsibility of the veteran to pay for the class. With the S.E.E4VETS scholarship, however, the course is paid for. Please click on video produced by Maricopa Colleges TV.